Bearded Theory 23-26 May 2024

It must be a festival organisers nightmare when the country is hit by a ridiculous spell of wet weather. For Bearded Theory they faced the major issue of rain and floods the preceding days to the festival. To the extent that they had to put out a notice asking people to consider arriving on the Friday rather than Thursday. Fortunately, we were able to get on site with absolutely no issues.

We wanted to make sure we got there on Thursday as one of the bands we didn’t want to miss were The Sprints. The weather conditions actually meant they appeared on the main stage – surely the stage they actually belonged on? Indeed given the quality of the songs and the impressive stage presence, then you could certainly see them headlining in the future. They have an engaging front person who was clearly up for the gig and happy to get amongst the crowd. It may have been damp underfoot but spirits were certainly high after this set.

We then hung around to experience the Dutty Moonshine Band, an act we hadn’t heard of before. They brought some horns and funk which really give an early party vibe to the festival. They got a good time feeling going as demonstrated by the amount of people dancing in the crowd. It’s perhaps not the sort of music we would put on at home but at a festival it’s the perfect accompaniment to having a fun time. There aren’t many bands whose set includes an adapted sing along to You Are My Sunshine (changed to moonshine) before moving into rap. Definitely a band we will be aiming to see again!

The following day sees an increase in crowd numbers and our first band is Pip Blom. A band that throws a bit of everything in the mix as their sound encompasses electro, pop and indie rock. Something which is perfect for Bearded Theory as that’s exactly what this festival now does. Pip Blom switch vocals between male and female members which is something we love bands doing, as it adds a different flavour to songs and mixes up the set. They have a relatively minimal set up and the use of a drum machine didn’t stop them having a great sound and they certainly connect with the crowd.

Once again we switch to something completely different with Ibibio Sound Machine. They bring a 70’s funk surprise to the festival. Another band who we might not choose to listen to outside the context of a festival but are brilliant. We couldn’t help but picture a car chase from Starsky and Hutch as we listened to their songs! In total contrast Lambrini Girls bring a VERY different sound and energy! Surely they don’t drink Lambrini?!  They deliver intense political punk rock. The singer is moshing in the middle of the crowd from the first song and that’s a real statement of intent. The set doesn’t drop intensity from then on. They take no prisoners as they deliver fast paced, aggressive political punk rock and “David Cameron fucked a pig” won’t be a lyric you hear that often!

Things mellow out again with Big Moon who are a bit more our style with a focus on melody and harmonies. There is still some rocking guitar work in there, but it’s built on a more melodic tone. This is apparently their first show of the year but it doesn’t show as each song is delivered spot on. We then move on to one of our favourite bands on the line up, His lordship who are an excellent band. Their sound is really just good old, pure rock n roll. It has a primeval feel that makes you remember why people tried to ban rock n roll when it originated. But the band also deliver it with a lot of style and dare we say ‘pizzazz’ whatever that means!! It’s relatively early days but we already have a contender for band of the festival.

Whilst many other bands were playing we then managed to ‘lose’ two hours by being unable to be dragged away from the eighties music being played by the DJ at Big Ed. It’s just another example of how Bearded Theory has something to offer everyone. Eventually we are obliged to leave to actually see an 80’s icon in the flesh with Dexys playing on the main stage. The size of the crowd says a lot about the bands legendary status. Possibly not an act you’d associate with Bearded Theory. But when you hear a song like “Gino” you realise there probably isn’t an audience in the world who won’t lap it up. The set itself is mixed in terms of the style of music played and perhaps demonstrates the confidence of the band not to just play to the festival audience. Let’s face it, they’ve been around long enough to know the respect they deserve. 

The headliner for the day is Future Islands who feel like a perfect band to end the first full day of the festival. Their sound is a tense mix of built-up passion with bursts of joy allowed to spill out. It’s both danceable but still mildly disturbing at the same time.

Samuel T Herring is appreciative of the crowd and the festival. His all-black outfit may be understated but that’s certainly not how you’d describe him as a front man. His vocal style and stage presence are such a huge part of what makes Future Islands so special.

We begin Saturday with Prime Queen who are a perfect opening to the next day. They have songs built on melody with a nice blend of indie rock with pop sensibilities. There’s something of a juxtaposition between the darker lyrics and the pure melody. They’re another band making their first live appearance of the year which is a reminder that Bearded Theory is such a brilliant start to the festival season.

We were really disappointed when we heard Divorce had needed to pull out of the festival but that soon disappeared within 10 seconds of hearing Pet Needs. They are exactly our type of band. Their backdrop says it all ‘kind of creative, mainly just a mess’. They are a great rock n roll band. They’re clearly chuffed to be on the main stage and their exuberance is a crowd winner in itself. They seem to recall old indie rock bands like the Manics when they first emerged or maybe even like the really underappreciated ‘new wave of new wave’ bands like These Animal Men and SMASH. They are passionate and punky with a nodding wink to a really good tune which underpins the whole sound. Definitely the ‘new to us’ band of the festival.

Goat Girl therefore have a hard act to follow. It probably helps that their sound and approach is so markedly different. Their music has a far darker and more subdued tone. It’s still captivating but in a very different way. They certainly bring a large amount of support to the main stage. One of the largest crowds we saw for a relatively early band. Next up were Punk Rock Factory a band we didn’t know and if we’re honest hadn’t actually planned to see. But boy were we glad we did! Who doesn’t want to hear punk rock versions of the Pokémon theme tune, Under The Sea, Mama Mia or We Don’t Talk About Bruno etc? It’s like Bowling For Soup have thought fuck it let’s stop writing stuff and just cover classic hits and tv themes. As the sun shines we have no doubt EVERYONE in that field was having an awesome time!

Once again the tone changes completely with Wargasm, a band that if we’re really honest the reason we thought we’d check out this band was due to the L7 song. But as happens at festivals, chatting to some other people they commented how they’d seen them in Paris and they were heavy and awesome. They are certainly on the heavier and screamier side of stuff we’d usually listen to, but they are certainly keen to put on a show as they perform.

Having been pleasantly surprised by Pet Needs earlier in the day, we couldn’t resist the chance to see them perform again on the top of a rum bus! It’s a fun mini set with acoustic songs about things like washing machine repairs!  They clearly brought lots of old and new fans over from their main set as the place was heaving. The March Violets 

see us shifting genres again and in some ways decades. But for those who remember days of dressing purely in black and seeking to be as pale as possible, they were a welcome blast from the past. The fact that the sun was shining outside was in strict contrast to the goth rock sound being played by the band. Another great example of the variety that the festival offers.

We are still struggling to work out if Sleaford Mods are genius or perhaps just a total piss take of the music industry. Either way their success and popularity is remarkable. The field is full right to the back and the crowd certainly appear entranced by the band. The fact that they are enthralled by what is apparently a man shouting abuse over a synthesised backing track is quite remarkable. We are bemused by the band as their delivery or sound doesn’t seem to change from song to song. Genius or lunacy…. You decide!

The status of Bearded Theory is made clear by the ability to have a legendary band like Janes Addiction headline. No surprise that they draw an absolutely massive crowd. A band that’s full of superstars. It’s an honour and a privilege just to hear Been Caught Stealing performed live. Perry Farrell may not think much of the food at the festival but he’s a classic lead singer, of which few exist anymore. If he hated the food that’s nothing compared to his detest for U.K. and U.S. politicians. He does a great job connecting with the crowd though and the festival loves him and the band. It’s a full paced set which has the audience’s attention from start to finish. 

We are sadly then too swiftly into the final day of the festival. It seems to be a tradition for this to begin with The Bar Steward Sons of Val Doonican. They enable us to hear Gary Numan’s Cars changed to a song about colonic irrigation and Boogie Nights turned into bingo nights! As you’re sitting at home reading this it may sound atrocious. But trust us, as a first band on the last day of a festival they’re the perfect hangover cure! 

We expect that Penetration provide a blast from the past for many of the Bearded Theory crowd. We guess when they formed they wouldn’t have imagined that they’d be playing festivals 48 years later. Indeed as punks they probably would at least have pretended to hate it. But we’re lucky they have kept going as it’s a great set and the songs still sound fresh and contemporary.

Bodega were one of the bands we were most looking forward to and they didn’t disappoint. Again a band well suited to Bearded Theory as they have a blend of everything – rock, indie, punk and electronica. With a number of albums now under their belt, they’ve created a tight set which appeals not just to their existing fans but is also creating many new ones. English Teacher being on the second stage was always going to see a huge crowd and we don’t think anyone would’ve been surprised to have seen them pushed on to the main stage. But a downpour just before meant the tent was packed from front to back. The slower songs lose some of the casual fans but we’re sure their fans lapped it up. They’re a frighteningly youthful band who you will inevitably see rising up both the listing and stage sizes.

The great thing about festivals is the chance to hear and do something different. Bodega obviously know this as they play a second set comprised completely of Bob Dylan covers. We wouldn’t have put Dylan as a big influence on their sound but we suppose he has influenced most songwriters in some way. We’re not really Dylan fans but we enjoyed it.  Who knows what the notoriously cantankerous man himself or his fans would’ve thought of it. Anyhow it allows Bodega fans to have one of those ‘I was there’ moments which must be a good thing. 

It’s an obvious joke time but at the time Dry Cleaning hit the stage it certainly isn’t the weather for dry clean only clothes! But their musical style certainly matched the overall overcast weather. It’s a downbeat style which feels decidedly English. It will no doubt speak to those fans of introspective bands who have grown up listening to the likes of Joy Division.

We remarked on the ability of Bearded Theory to attract top acts but we were really surprised that Dinosaur Jr were not headlining the festival. It’s a testament to the organisers that they can get a band of this scale to play let alone when not headlining. A forbearer of the entire grunge movement they are definitely in the legendary band status for any fans of US alternative rock.  J Mascis is a man of few words but remains happy for his guitar to do the talking for him. Renowned for their sound volume, power and intensity, they don’t disappoint on any front.

From the opening song it’s pretty clear that Amyl And The Sniffers are up for this. If you’re looking for subtlety then you’re in the wrong place. This is in your face punk rock. It has an old school beauty to its simplicity. In this age of confusion and complexity it’s great to see a band like Amyl thriving. The fact that they’ve built up to performing a headline set like this is quite a feat. That’s especially true as there doesn’t seem to have been any attempt to play for publicity or water down their style or their sound. Maybe punk rock doesn’t die!!

The fact that Bearded Theory has again been a festival full of brilliant music and great acts really comes as no surprise. But this year they had to battle against the odds with the less than favourable weather. We must therefore give a big well done to the organisers and all the people involved in every aspect of the festival. The fact it remained such a positive event is down to all of them. All of that means that even though it is our first festival of the season we can already guarantee it will have been one of the best.