Trust FFA on this – Beardy is getting even better year on year. No levelling off. No slack years. Just year upon year improvement. This eighth festival incarnation was arguably the best yet and Beardy is rapidly becoming a benchmark for how ‘Folk’ festivals should be. It’s a truly wonderful weekend in the Shropshire fields. The glorious location of the Georgian Grade II listed Hopton Court, with its Victorian walled garden, Orangery, manicured lawns, lakes and beautiful vistas set the backdrop for this staggeringly good bijou little gem of a festival. Beardy utilises the grounds, fields, Orangery and woods to full affect to create a lovely blissful vibe and safe space.

Beardy excels on value – the price you pay for what you get is mightily impressive. The gaff simply oozes quality throughout. The facilities, camping, organisation, staff and volunteers are excellent, as are the music and non-music offerings over the weekend. The FFA Beardy 2025 Preview highlights more of the festival details, and the FFA Beardy 2024 Review illustrates the festivals history of quality across the board.

There is constant entertainment all day with a couple of back-to-back stage areas, a developing late-night scene, plus a whole gaggle of non-music malarkey to more than fill the day for all ages away from the main stages. Tai Chi on the Orangery lawn, Yoga and Wellness, through to Jitterbug Circus, 5k runs, Improv Comedy, Maypole & Morris, Ceilidh’s, and loads of workshops. There is a full listing HERE.

This Review focuses on two intertwined threads; Beardy People and the festivals’ music policy, programming, scheduling, and constant strive for excellence. Beardy People: Organisers, Volunteers, Support Staff, and of course the wonderful Beardy crowd, make Beardy the marvellous weekend that it is. Without these special people and the loving vibe they create, Beardy would just be another music event – bands in a field, with tents and campers… and, erm, toilets. Many music events large and small would kill for just a slice of the atmosphere Beardy People manage to create in these fields. They, my friends, are simply Events – Beardy is a FESTIVAL. Everyone at Beardy is a player – you are part of the beating heart of this festival as soon as you walk on site. The organisers set the scene – this magical crowd live on it, feed off it, roll with it. It grows. The crowd ARE the festival. It all comes together… and it is a wonderful atmosphere.

The Beardy organisers realise that ‘Folk’ is perhaps the most broad based of musical genres, and their lineup reflects this ethos. They manage an amazing mash-up of first-class performers – its adventurous, brave, and bold; the scheduling is deliberately point and counter point. Wildly diverse acts sit back-to-back. And it all works! Vitally, the Beardy crowd are well up for this. They park any prejudices and listen to all these wonderful artists on merit, cool dudes that they all are!

On the Friday, FFA caught Common Culture over on the Main stage. A fine young talented Alt Folk outfit, with a nice line in tales of Lysergic Acid infused Moles from the Operation Julie era (you needed to be there!).  They led into one song, which they introduced as ‘Cheesy Pop’, and promised to return to the ‘Folk’ music next song.  This got this Reviewer thinking – a dangerous state so early in a festival!  What is Folk Music? The books say it’s the songs and music of traditional popular culture, typically passed down by oral tradition. By that definition the roots of most music genres could be labelled as ‘Folk’ – certainly World Music in all its diverse splendour, and the Blues, Americana, Roots, and Country, to name but a few, are prime examples. The list goes on - early Soul, R&B, Reggae, and Jazz were definitely the music of the fields and streets; and Rock music (itself a huge definition) has a significant overlap with ‘Folk’.  There are plenty of young Folk artists – but Folk Festivals desperately need a growing, more diverse, younger audience to survive and thrive – but the take up of new blood is slow. Is this demographic’s apparent reticence to engage with their perception of the whole ‘genre’ of Folk the problem, and can it be resolved by definition, education and exposure? [Discuss].

Back in the real world, Beardy and its audience certainly get exactly what Folk is – just take a looksee at the totally diverse lineup Beardy Dave and his merry crew knock out each year… and this magical audience’s reaction to it. A ‘Folk’ festival sure – but a huge spectrum of musical styles – sometimes within the same band! So, Champion this festival, be evangelical with all your friends – the very future of ‘Folk’ depends on broad based events like Beardy!

This Reviewer is always on the lookout for that one tiny Beardy moment that perhaps defines this festival and its people (in 2024 it was dancing to Shooglenifty in an electric storm). In 2025? Beardy had just exposed this ‘Folk’ crowd to some blisteringly good EDM/Dub/Folk shanaghan’s from the mighty An Annsa Dub. Not only did this crowd dance wildly, and wholeheartedly support their calls for compassion in the Middle East, but later many formed a long and disorderly queue around their merch stall (as they did for many an artist). All human life was there - male & female, hip and not so hip, young and old (some of an age to be parents or even grandparents to the band), yet here they all were, EDM fans or otherwise – happy to make a purchase to support the artist, and KEEP MUSIC LIVE.  Respect.

Now Then. Artist Reviews are subjective, and they are not a full list of all the performances – there is a programme for all that! We witnessed amazing acts, but due to space constraints, some of those splendid artists simply didn’t make this Reviews final cut. For some artists, we were too busy drinking or sleeping to even review. So, it goes. We’re only human. It’s all opinion after all; if you were blessed to attend Beardy 2025 and your favourites don’t get a mention, then that’s our loss. Slapped wrists – but what follows is simply what worked for FFA.

Thursday was setup day for FFA and many others. Beardy offered up a limited three act show in the evening, after the Walled Garden arena opened at sixish. Headliners Man The Lifeboats delivered a great rabble-rousing performance to set the tone for the weekend; Plus, the bar was open. Good Times Incoming.

FRIDAY

Special Guest!  Da Da… it’s only that Phil Cudworth armed with his percussive guitar and rapier sharp humour. Northern tales of daring do; poignant little homilies, protest songs, and all undercut with some biting political satire. ‘They Couldn’t Give A Shit About Us’ is up there as my choice of national anthem. Always an absolute pleasure. Some lovely Welsh Blue Grass soundscapes from the excellent Taff Rapids. Sung partly in Welsh, the guys were right on the button – with the mournful ‘One For The Road’ pick of a splendid set.

BirdBrother!!! Only Friday and one of the sets of the festival in this Reviewers ‘umble opinion. New to these ears, but they delivered a set of absolutely lovely, lilting melodies from the velvet voiced Beadle, augmented by backing vocals and superb percussion and flute from cohort Shapely. Great tunes; Great musicianship; a band with their own vibe – go check ‘em out.  

What more is there to say about the Thee Daft Monkeys?  One of the hardest touring bands on the circuit; ALWAYS put in a performance: ALWAYS guaranteed to add value to any event. Welcomed back to Beardy after a three-song total wipeout during last year’s electric storm. Ye God’s, they made up for lost time. An absolutely stonking set, which fortunately missed the late evening rain.

Sadly, The Magic Numbers, another band recalled from 2024, where they had to cancel through illness, copped for the lot.  The band were polished, uber professional, and displayed, arguably, some of the best musicianship of the whole festival. Some of Romeo Stodart’s guitar solos were, frankly, exceptional, whilst the meaty bass of sister Michele (who appeared on the Acoustic stage earlier in the day) drove it all along at pace.  Four artists still at the top of their game.  FFA skipped the Twilight Sessions, but bounced around to DJ Soul Dickie’s Late Night Lounge to recover our composure. Top On Friday, Beardy. 

SATURDAY

FFA simply adore the Beardy ‘Audience With’ events. A chance to get under the covers of the inner workings of some of the musical greats, a flash of their personality, and some great songs to boot. Steve Tilston certainly delivered. Result. With tales ranging from his Gran as pianist for Silent Films, to stories of 1960’s Soho music clubs, the man enthralled. A cracking hour. Honey & The Bear appeared mob-handed, with a sub-set going on to appear with Sam Kelly later (He was their sound manager for this gig). Some great vocal harmonies, tales of Suffolk folklore, and a splendid version of ‘Who Knows Where The Time Goes’. Fab band.

Beardy favourite Dan The Hat had the crowd in stitches over on the Acoustic stage. Quick witted, talented, and very funny.  The man has the rare knack of pitching his act at both adults and kids simultaneously – the kids are enthralled by the juggling and tricks, whilst the adults crack up on the knowing comments and throw away lines. A very very talented entertainer.

The Cinelli Brothers certainly have the vibe to succeed. Sound good, strong material (Blues/Soul or Soul/Blues anyone?), and cool good looks. A band destined for bigger things, methinks. Sam Kelly & The Lost Boys rocked it up on the main stage. A great show with some fine tunes, but it was their take on ‘Gallows Pole’ that stole the set; a Led Zepplin classic, but apparently derived from the old folk crooner ‘The Maid Freed From The Gallows’. Splendid Stuff.

The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican were in excellent form. Like the Daft’s, they really put in a shift at every event they play. The Acoustic stage simply couldn’t manage the cheering crowd they attracted – Main stage next time, hey Beardy? Big Up yet again for FFA favourite, the splendid storyteller Mark Fraser, who continues to deliver the goodies, particularly when his late night alter-ego Jacub Cracker (decd.) appears with spooky dark tales and mysteries.

It was left to punk folk-rock barnstormers Skinny Lister to close off the day. The counterplay between the raw punkish vocals and stance of Heptinstall, and the whirlwind exuberance of partner Lora Thomas worked an absolute treat. Never a one trick pony; a couple of Thomas’s simply presented ballads made the spine tingle. Fine musicians all, and a pulsating, high energy extravaganza to end another superb Beardy day. 

SUNDAY

Sunday disappeared in a blur. The sun was shining, Red Kites circled overhead, a walk around the lake and grounds, a few fine Hobson’s beers, more Dan The Hat, and excellent music. We lay back simply soaking up the Beardy experience. It doesn’t just happen of course; Beady put a lot of effort into creating this chilled, mellow vibe. It’s a cruel world out there and the Beardy People were truly blessed to share a few days of bliss. Sunday’s acts in this review sum up the diverse Beardy musical journey to a tee. Country Rock, Dirty Southern Blues, Celtic folk, through to Trad. English, through to deep folk infused dub!!! The splendid Demi Mariner captured the hazy-lazy Sunday mood perfectly. An excellent set of Country fuelled tunes to dream away the afternoon.  ‘Seize The Day’ nailed it.

How had this Reviewer not heard of the fabulous Foreign Affairs before? They laid down an hour of the some of the most polished, gritty Southern bluesy rock on record. The way the brothers hit that foot stomp pedal almost created a White Stripes buzz (no, seriously). Absolutely excellent throughout, but with ‘Rosanna’ stealing the show. No wonder this pair received a standing ovation from this knowing crowd. Splendid.

Ranagri delighted with Celtic jigs and reels, plus much else (never, ever, lose the Harp, guys!), before the classic, quintessential Trad. folk vibe of Greenman Rising kicked in. All the greats – ‘Bedlam’, ‘John Barleycorn’ et al. were on parade. An Dannsa Dub – what a brilliant headliner. They had the field absolutely bouncing, with more front of stage dancing than this old Reviewer can recall in many a Beardy. A Scottish EDM/Dub/Folk fusion outfit. Beardy diversity, you did us proud again! Excellent deep beats – it was all about the Drop, with fiddle and flute breaks and overlays to die for. Appeared to be a vocalist down, but tapes did the business. A high energy show that had a totally up for it crowd gagging for more. Commendably, the band took time out to remember all the innocent victims of conflict in the Middle East, as the powerful play deadly games with human life. Thankfully, the love and support shown in those Beardy fields illustrates there is still some hope for this buggered species of ours after all.

Back to the top of the field for Notorious J.I.G. good times and the end of festival Ceilidh. The band were on form and drove the party ever onwards. A rip-roaring end to a fabulous Beardy.

Article and very dodgy Snaps by Barrie Dimond