Background

Bearded Theory is an award winning event set in the beautiful grounds of Kedleston Hall in Derbyshire. Having been runner up in many categories over the years, 2011 saw the festival winning the "Best Independent Festival" award at the prestigious AIM Music Awards Ceremony. 

It all started in 2007 as a birthday celebration in a field behind a pub in the Derbyshire Dales. Having moved sites several times in order to cope with the increasing amount of people who wanted to attend, Bearded Theory has settled at Kedleston, with the picturesque backdrop of the Hall and its Pleasure Gardens. We believe in keeping the festival small, non-corporate and friendly, whilst delivering a diverse range of quality entertainment at an affordable price. Please be warned - tickets sell out each year. 

Artists

With an audience from all walks of life, we like to keep the music line up as varied as possible. 

Acts that have tripped the light fandango over the Main Stage include Adam Ant, Damned, Terrorvision, Show of Hands, Selecter, Cara Dillon, Waterboys, Athlete, Dub Pistols, Alabama 3, Hawkwind, The Whip, King Blues, The Wonder Stuff , Ade Edmondson, Dreadzone, Saw Doctors, Undertones, Neville Staple, New Model Army, Transglobal Underground, Dodgy, Zion Train, Dr & The Medics, The Beat, Subgiant and even Wagner. Remember 90% of our artist programming is off the back of suggestions from our attendees. 

The Tornado Town tent is our second stage and here you can expect the party to be on all day - Almost a festival in its own right, Tornado Town has an underground groove with established and upcoming acts gracing the stage. Acts vary hugely from ska, punk, rockabilly, swing, gypsy, folk, leftfield etc.  

For those who like their beats and pumping bass, look no further than The Magical Sounds Arena, here the area has been converted into a club-like atmosphere with an intimate underground vibe. Magical Sounds is widlely regarded as one of the best festival dance tents of it's size in the UK. Expect quality live acts and DJ's from across the land of dance music.

A new addition to the 2013 festival will be the arrival of a new stage located in the Haywood Campsite. The yet to be named stage will be nestled between ancient trees and hopefully be a relaxing alternative to our other stages. In the daytime and early evenings you can expect a bizarre blend of solo singers, bands, cookery workshops, drama and reggae sound systems. In the evenings it will transform into a late night venue hosting comedians and cabaret acts from across the Nation. The area will also benefit from a sit down campsite cafe and a Thornbridge Bar.

The Something Else Tea Tent is our acoustic venue, complete with tea, coffee and cake!! This venue is hosted by Madame Gail & her team. Come here to chill out and relax to some of the circuits top acts. Watch for cameo appearances and band mash-up sessions, as musicians from various bands get together for spontaneous performances.

Also look out for the various "Busk Stops" where anyone can pitch up and have a go should the urge to play become unbearable!!

And for the Family……

The children's area was recently expanded into a one acre space and this area in the past has offered everything from a children's open mic stage, climbing wall, zip lines, play ground, toddler area, breast feeding facilities, tree houses, circus skills, arts & crafts, story tellers, children's carnival, disco tent and loads more. We stage around 50 workshops every year and the majority of activities are free.

The festival continues to offer a variety of entertainment away from the music to ensure everyone's creativity is catered for and over the past few years we have seen a vast array of workshops, circus acts, site art, solar cinema, fire trees, medieval living camp, market village, chill out tents, cabaret, comedy, graffiti, arts & crafts, busk stops and much more.

There will be hundreds of art instillations and areas created by various art collectives at next years festival. So keep a look out and chill out in some of the funky gardens.

Hungry? Thirsty?

Bearded Theory invites only the best food vendors to the festival, ensuring all our attendees are served good quality organic foods at sensible prices. All bars are operated by the award winning Thornbridge Brewery from Bakewell. The bars are stocked with quality real ales, wines, lagers and soft drinks. We also have some specialist, tucked away bars serving a selection of shots, cocktails, punch etc. Our bar prices are kept realistic and reflect pub tariffs.

Why Bearded??

The reason for the unique festival name is that every year we attempt to break the world record of the most amount of people wearing fancy dress beards in one place. Each year we break the record and you can too!

Everyone is welcome at Bearded Theory and we look forward to seeing you at our next event

Opening Times

Gates open at 2.30pm till 7pm on Thursday 16th May for Thursday ticket holders and 9am Friday 17th May for standard weekend ticket holders.

Location

Bearded Theory is located within the stunning grounds of the iconic Kedleston Hall on the outskirts of Derby nestled between the beautiful villages of Kedleston and Quarndon. 

Kedleston Hall and the parkland is owned and managed by the National Trust but the Curzon family remain in residence of the Hall.

Please ensure you read the terms and conditions before attending the festival and remember that buying a ticket you are in agreement with the conditions set out.

There are NO postage costs

Headline acts: Reverend & The Makers, Levellers, Asian Dub Foundation, New Model Army, Stiff Little Fingers, Seth Lakeman, Karine Polwart, Neds Atomic Dustbin, Goldblade, Peatbog Faeries, The Farm, The Quireboys, AHAB, Maroon Town, The Beekeepers, RUTS DC, A Guy Called Gerald, Citizen Fish