Ahead of one of the greatest lineups that BEARDED THEORY FESTIVAL has ever put on, we wanted to catch up with acts performing over the weekend.

MERYL STREEK is a performer that we saw in 2023 when he opened for the mighty P.I.L. on their UK tour, we really enjoyed his set and wanted to learn more about his influences, his dislike of fancy dress, acts that he’s excited about seeing at Bearded Theory Festival and his own dream festival lineup, best buckle up….

Firstly, great news to hear that you’ll be performing at this year’s Bearded Theory Festival which is taking place from 23-26 May in Derbyshire, is this the first time you will have done so? 

This is my first time at Bearded Theory and I’m pretty excited about it. The festival is ran by good people so I know it’ll be great. 

We saw you last year when you supported the mighty P.I.L. in Torquay and we were blown away by your set, so much energy and power, tell us how your one man show came about? 

Torquay was a fun one.  

I was playing in bands and touring for about 15 odd years as a drummer for various different bands and just got so bored depending on others. I eventually snapped and had a pal drag me down the electronic side of music which was highly eye-opening to realise I didn’t have to be in bands with arseholes anymore.

Meryl Streek is a protest at the music industry.

It’s tough enough doing this alone let alone with 6 others around you playing the rockstar….

I have more real life stories to tell then most people I know, so I wanted to tell my stories on stage! 

Have you ever considered having a live band with you on stage? 

All the time, but not until I’m being paid enough to do so. And then again I sometimes think why should I? You can’t fix what’s not broken. This is working….

Please share some of the acts that have influenced you over the years.... 

The Fall, Jay Reatard, Rudimentary Peni, The Cramps, A House, Sack, Minor Threat, The Spits I could keep mentioning bands all day long!

The lineup for Bearded Theory this year is nothing short of spectacular, which of the other acts will you be sticking around to see? 

I’m really looking forward to seeing Bob Vylan, Problem Patterns, Big Special, Lambrini Girls, Amyl and the sniffers and The Meffs to name a few. 

The fancy dress theme for the Sunday at the festival is ‘Retro Future’, if you were to dress up, what would you come as? 

I wouldn’t dress up or be at the festival if I wasn’t playing at it. I’m as boring as they come!

I’d much rather be at home with my dogs watching old films then at festivals screaming about politicians and arsehole landlords. 

If you could curate your own 3 day festival, who would you have as the headline acts? (they can be dead or alive or supergroups)

1. The Ramones

2. Minor Threat

3. The Pogues  

Finally, please share your top three festival survival tips.... 

Talk to strangers, get hammered and make memories. 

We’d like to thank Meryl Streek for sparing the time to chat to us and we wish him every success for the coming year of gigs, festivals, vintage movies and snuggly afternoons with his dogs, keep up to date with him at the following socials.

https://www.instagram.com/merylstreek_

https://linktr.ee/merylstreek