Derbyshire’s finest, the excellent Bearded Theory, returns to Catton Hall over the Bank Holiday weekend for another dose of great value Good Times.

This award winning event has become a great favourite of our Festival For All reviewers over the years (Read our Review of Bearded Theory 2014), and it’s no wonder.

Firstly, the event offers that most elusive of festival commodities in spades – it has a simply marvellous VIBE. Secondly, the quality, scale, and scope of the line-up is arguably unbeatable at the price. Add to that a whole host of top notch non-music activities for all ages, and all for the meagre sum of only £87, and it’s no wonder that Bearded sets a marker for others to follow.

Its gets better; Camping on the Thursday night is now also included in the price, and with the likes of 3 Daft Monkeys, Mark Chadwick, Hobo Jones & The Junkyard Dogs, and Bar-Steward Sons Of Val Doonican on offer to Thursday’s early arrivals – the festival effectively becomes a true four night bash with over 100 acts across the five stages over the weekend.

It’s value all the way – you can event take your own alcohol into the arena; a rare luxury these days! Please do support the many bars – the beer is great and it helps them keep ticket prices at a bargain level. Given Bearded have managed to freeze their ticket prices this year (remarkable with all that’s on offer), it’s no wonder the value continues with a commitment to ‘pub’ prices in the three bars and decent food at decent prices from the countless stalls.

This small but perfectly formed event has held rather a nomadic existence since its birth in 2007, but is now firmly established at the excellent Catton Hall. Throughout the years the festival has learned as it’s grown and offers an excellent kick-start to what for many is the start of the festival season. Indeed in 2014 the festival won Promoter of the Year and also the Silver Award for their Children’s Village.

Musically the festival offers the likes of The Mission, Alabama 3, New Model Army, Afro Celt Sound System, James, and the Buzzcocks – and that’s just a few of the main stage headliners. Throw in LAB4, Jah Scoop / Geezer, Eat Static, Green Nuns of the Revolution DJ set, Banco De Gaia, Merv Pepler DJ set, Jaya The Cat, The Talks, Cara Dillon, Bill Smarme, Neville Staple, Paprika Corps, Radical Dance Faction, John Player Specials, Inner Terrestrials, Tarantism, AOS3, and Stuart Turner & the Flat Earth across some of the other stages, and there is a wealth of diverse musical talent on show.

Festivals For All will again be stomping with the best of ‘em over the weekend. Why not join us to launch the bank holiday weekend festival scene in style.

Bearded Theory 2015

Catton Park, Walton upon Trent, Derbyshire, DE12 8LN

Dates: 21nd May 2014 - 24th May 2014

Price: Tickets for adults (with camping) from £87.00

Article by Barrie Dimond