Peter Hook, Oysterband and Fishbone have been confirmed as the latest acts to join the line up for Bearded Theory 2014. Legendary Joy Division/New Order main man Peter Hook and his band The Light lead the first batch of artists confirmed for Bearded Theory Festival 2014. 

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They will be joined at Bearded Theory’s new location, Catton Hall in South Derbyshire by award-winning folk-rock outfit Oysterband and US rock-fusion veterans Fishbone, who will be celebrating 35 years since their formation at school in LA in 1979. 

Also confirmed today are reconvened UK favourites King Prawn and The Membranes, 3 Daft Monkeys, Leatherat and Anti-Vigilante with more big announcements including headliners still to come. 

Already the line-up, combined with a brand new location, looks set to make Bearded Theory bigger and better than ever while retaining its special atmosphere. The move to Catton Hall, home of Bloodstock Open Air and the Big Session festivals, means Bearded’s organisers can take full advantage of a four-day event, with music starting on Thursday May 22nd and continuing through the Bank Holiday weekend until late on Sunday 25th. 

Investment in the site means it boasts better-than-ever facilities for camping and live-in vehicles, as well as improved drainage, and the arrival of Bearded Theory will generate a £1m boost for the local economy through the use of local suppliers and incoming investment. 

Tickets are now on general sale, with the price of a family ticket cheaper than it was in 2013.  A payment plan is available to spread the cost and – representing even further value for money – Bearded Theory remains one of a dwindling number of festivals where the audience can take their own drink into the concert areas. 

Festival director Steve Blount says: “Our last festival at Kedleston Hall in Derby was our best-received so far. And while we’re sad to have left that venue, the move to Catton Hall means we can come closer to realising our vision for Bearded Theory. 

“The transport links are great and it’s a beautiful site, perfect for a festival like Bearded Theory. The amount of space and, for example, the wooded areas, will mean we can introduce all sorts of new stages and attractions to make Bearded Theory better than ever, while retaining the family-friendly, relaxed character that people know and love us for. 

“It’s a hugely exciting time for Bearded Theory and all the signs are that 2014 will be the best event yet – our ticket sales so far suggest that our festival-goers are just as excited about it as we are.” 

The full list of bands announced today is as follows: Peter Hook & The Light, Oysterband, Fishbone, 3 Daft Monkeys, Membranes, King Prawn, Anti-Vigilante, Leatherat, True Deceivers, The Karma Party, Tarantism, Colm Gray, Babyhead, New Groove Formation, Sporadics, Autonomads, Black Star Dub Collective, Boot Hill All Stars, Doghouse Boat Boys, Dynamite Pussy Club, Funke & 2 Tone Baby, Just James, Poor Old Dogs, Rusty Shackle and Sean McGowan. 

In May 2010, Peter Hook, legendary bassist of both Joy Division and later New Order, decided to honour the outstanding work of his first band and the undoubted genius of the late Ian Curtis by giving people the opportunity to hear both of Joy Division's masterpiece albums, 'Unknown Pleasures' and 'Closer', live and in their entireties. Rave reviews and an enormous audience response followed and since then, Peter Hook & The Light have wowed audiences around the world. For Bearded Theory, Peter and his band will be performing a set made up of classic tracks from both seminal bands.

Bearded Theory weekend tickets are now on sale via the link here with adult tickets priced at £87 + booking fee). No day tickets will be made available.