Back for its 17th year, this independent gem - which sits by the Trent and straddles the Derbyshire and Staffordshire border - is somewhat of a starter gun for the local festival season. Following last year’s quagmire-like conditions, attendees are thankfully greeted with blue skies and sunshine for the 2025 edition of Bearded Theory. Here’s what went down…
Kicking ass on the Pallet Stage, Chicago blues chanteuse Ezra Furman, is in sparkling and commanding form. With a new longplayer on the shelves, Goodbye Small Head, the Bella Union powerhouse is the perfect mid-afternoon tonic for those still shaking off the remnants of Thursday night’s festivities. Stourbridge veteran scenesters, Ned’s Atomic Dustbin follow - powering through a typically raucous set of bass-heavy rock before laconic Leeds indie kids, Yard Act’s witty social commentary and much-loved dubheads, Dreadzone, ease the party into the early evening.
Over on The Meadow stage, Billy Nomates' soul-punk energy provides the perfect Friday night vibe as she smashes through cuts from her latest album, Metalhorse, including a fine rendition of the title track as she bounces around the stage all in black in and Wayfarers.
One of the highlights of the whole weekend takes things even further up a notch as Hyde’s answer to Mike Skinner, Antony Szmierek, absolutely smashes through an exhilarating performance. It sees him jump into the crowd to serenade the masses with choice offerings from his acclaimed Service Station At The End Of The Universe album, with Yoga Teacher proving a particular highlight. His wry, northern take on such notable landmarks as the Stockport pyramid, is as epic as it is laidback.
Back over on the main stage and another northerner, notably with more trips around the sun, Paul Heaton draws an enormous crowd as he brings Friday to a close. Now sassily supported by Glaswegian Rianne Downey, the former Housemartin and Beautiful South legend has an enviable armoury of hits any festival headliner would trade their grandma to possess - from Happy Hour to Build and A Little Time, the evergreen 63-year-old is one of music’s out-and-out good guys.
Up and out to catch traditional Saturday opener Beans On Toast in the Woodland as he kickstarts his Foolhardy bill, Jay’s wholesome take on world affairs is just the nourishment for the soul required for any heavy-headed attendees. Each year he is joined by daughter, Ren, who gets more stage savvy as one year melts into the next.
Following a motorway mishap, New York’s Pan Amsterdam is unexpectedly bumped onto the main stage at the last minute to provide cover for the unfortunate Man/Woman/Chainsaw. His melting pot of beats, trumpet and rhymes is expertly delivered with a fresh and inspiring vibe, which deserves further investigation.
Lancaster married duo, The Lovely Eggs, draw another big crowd with a smattering of their distinctive merch and expletive embossed scarves peppering the audience. It’s a frenetic and frenzied set which blows any middle afternoon lull out of the water.
Hotfooting it back to the Woodland to catch acclaimed stand-up Stewart Lee’s set, we’re greeted by an enormous queue which makes our entry look precarious. Thankfully, enough one-in-one-outs occur for us to catch the last 20 minutes and his werewolf versus vampire riffing with the tightly-packed audience is magical.
As day once again turns to dusk, Welsh power trio, The Bug Club, bounce through a thoroughly fun and enjoyable set culminating in the brilliant Quality Pints, before everyone decamps on mass to catch the godfather of punk - Iggy Pop.
Featuring a return on brass for Pan Amsterdam, the Michigan rocker is an absolute mind-boggling force of nature who belies his 78 years with a set jam-packed full of hits and energy. Stripped to the waist, as is his trademark, the former Stooges' frontman has the sheer confidence to drop The Passenger and Lust For Life in mid-set knowing full well there will be no let up in quality from this punk masterclass - it truly is quite breathtaking.
That’s not the end for American musical pioneers either, as rounding proceedings off back at the Woodland, Sugarhill Gang & The Furious Five sparkle with their year dot hip-hop jams. Wonder Mike and Master Gee are both in terrific form and it really is such a joy to be in the presence of two of the absolute forefathers of the scene with giddy smiles clearly evident on both sides of the stage.
All in all, Bearded Theory once again delivered again in putting a pep in the step of the second May Bank Holiday.
Bearded Theory Festival took place 21st-25th May 2025 at Catton Park, Derbyshire - see our full gallery below.
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