BEARDED THEORY’S SPRING GATHERING 2017

THURSDAY 25TH – SUNDAY 28TH MAY 2017

plus over 100 more acts over 6 stages

One of the events that makes Bearded Theory’s family-friendly atmosphere so unique is the festival’s ‘Annual Attempt To Break The World Record For The Largest Number Of People Wearing False Beards’.

Starting life as a spontaneous response to the festival’s rather unorthodox name (who’s true origins still remain shrouded in mystery and intrigue), over the years the event has grown into one of the most enjoyable focal points of the weekend. With 2017 being Bearded Theory’s very special 10th anniversary, organisers are expecting record numbers in attendance, meaning that as many as 10,000 people could be taking part this year!

Taking place on Sunday, the World Record Attempt serves as an opportunity for festival-goers of all ages to come together for some fun and silliness in front of the main stage. Coinciding with the fancy dress day - this year’s theme being the frankly bonkers ‘Mobsters & Lobsters’ - a ‘guest host’ (including previously The Cheeky Girls, X-Factor’s Wagner and Wheatus) pick a selection of some of the best false beard wearers to come up onto the main stage for some fun and games. The crowd then select a winner, who gets to attend the festival the following year for free! Notable past victors include a 6-month old baby, and last year’s mob of 20 highly excitable bearded minions.

Festival organiser Rich Bryan says “Our annual World Record attempt is a completely silly but joyously fun part of the weekend. It is completely unofficial - we once tried getting a famous drinks company to do it officially, but they quickly discovered that trying to get thousands of rather merry festivalgoers counted and registered was harder than herding an equivalent number of cats through a fishmongers. But the annual gathering has become one of those things that just make Bearded Theory that extra bit special, and we can’t wait to see our biggest ever crowd out there this year for our 10th anniversary.”

BEARDED THEORY’S 10TH ANNIVERSARY TO BE BIGGEST AND BEST EVENT TO DATE

Seminal British rock act Skunk Anansie, and punk duo Slaves will headline the main “Pallet Stage” on Friday. Led by the legendary Skin, Skunk Anansie will be the first female fronted band to headline Bearded Theory. Talking ahead of their appearance the band said “Stoked to be headlining Friday night. This festival is crazy good and we are looking forward to smashing it”.

Veteran bluesman and festival favourite Seasick Steve will headline Saturday night. Since rising to prominence as a solo artist a decade ago, Seasick Steve has frequently appeared in the album charts, with last October’s “Keepin' the Horse Between Me and the Ground” charting at #8. Steve’s albums have featured many guest appearances including Jack White (White Stripes) and John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin).

Sunday night will reverberate with the sounds of classic hits including ‘Our House’, 'Baggy Trousers’ and ‘One Step Beyond’, as North London’s finest nutty boys Madness will close the festival in style. Madness are one of the UK's best-loved bands, achieving more than twenty chart hit singles, many of them instantly recognisable classics.

Also performing on the Pallet Stage are alt rock/punk band The Alarm, Bearded Theory legends New Model Army, Ska survivors The Selecter, seminal hip-hop act Sugar Hill Gang & Furious Five, Californian Rockers Vintage Trouble, Punk stalwarts Goldblade, Alabama 3, Ferocious Dog, Flight Brigade, Anti-Pasti, The Mocking Jays, Jaya the Cat, and many more.

Friday night on the beautiful custom-built oak “Woodland Stage” will be headlined by multi-million selling Britpop survivors, Cast. Northern Irish singer songwriter Foy Vance tops the bill on Saturday, preceded by Mark E Smith fronted The Fall. Sunday will be closed by Sheffield’s finest, Reverend & The Makers. We have also bagged a coup in securing post-punk legends THE FALL, led by their notorious front man Mark E. Smith, to perform on Saturday night.

Also on the Woodland are BBC Folk Award winners Kathryn & Sean Lakeman, heavy rockers Tess Of The Circle, dub punk band Smiley & The Underclass, Roving Crows, Kissmet, cow punk legends Pronghorn (celebrating their 25th year anniversary), and many more.

As a massive thank you to all our loyal festivalgoers Thursday’s “bonus” line-up will feature virtually the entire 2008 Saturday Main Stage bill! As such we welcome back Bearded favourites Dreadzone (LIVE), 3 Daft Monkeys, Tarantism, True Deceivers, Hobo Jones & The Junkyards Dogs and more to help celebrate our 10th anniversary year.

TICKETS

Tickets are priced at £105 (Adults), £55 (Under 16’s), £25 (Under 12’s). Under 6`s are free (ticket is still required). £35 (Campervans) £12.50 (Parking). Booking fees apply.

Tickets are on sale via www.seetickets.com, or by calling the box office on: 0871 220 0260.

Bearded Theory's Official and Exclusive Coach Travel Partner, National Express, will be running dedicated coaches to an on-site coach park from 16 locations around the UK. Great value fares are available from across the country, starting at just £20 return, with group discounts available.

Ticket and Travel packages are available, along with travel tickets only directly from http://www.nationalexpress.com/events/bearded-theory