LIVE FROM THE PIT: Bearded Theory Festival 2025

5 days of alternative music is a pretty hard task to get right for a festival, there's a reason most festivals will only have 3 days of music, as otherwise they may run out of acts to platform. Yet Bearded Theory is 5 days of some of the best live music you will ever see.

Ujamm

The first band to play the festival is Ujamm, delivering a set of laid back reggae which really sums up what this Wednesday is all about, relaxation. They worked perfectly to lay the foundations of positive energy that remained across the weekend and worked perfectly for the slightly older festival-going crowd.

Headsticks

The band played two sets across the weekend, but they played their first on the Wednesday. The Bearded Theory crowd seem to have a lot of love for the band, with the amount of their t shirts seen throughout the weekend matching some of the more famous typical shirts. This set showed exactly why people love the band, they combine folk and punk in a refreshing way, they don’t sound like your typical folk punk band at all instead they focus on their more standard punk affair and will have some more acoustic material to blend in with it. Their relatively short set was full of passionate fans supporting them and people discovering them for the first time. They knew what the festival was about and played perfectly for the crowd.

Deadletter

The final act of the warmup day was Deadletter. Their sound is in the vain of many of the southern post-punk bands of the last few years, complete with saxophone. As a live act, they clearly know how to perform and feature elements traditional to the scene, the main one being a deeply intense frontman complete with that specific style of indie coat and sunglasses. The crowd gave them a positive reception, as many of the music fans at the festival love discovering new and modern music. They helped end the first day of music and set the tone of discovery for the rest of the festival.

The Meffs

The Meffs are a punk duo who seem to be popping up at gigs and festivals all the time now. Their stage presence for a two-piece is always impressive, with that very traditional punk energy shining through. They become a unit of force when playing live and for a punk band they have a lot of musicality best shown through their cover of ‘Breathe’. They perfectly fit into the Bearded Theory lineup, showcasing the diversity of acts in genre and age. They will definitely be playing even more large stages in the near future.

Fat Dog

Fat Dog are a very danceable, high energy slightly electronic dance punk collective who are truly infectious as a live act. From the moment they hit the stage, they gave out nothing but charm. Their songs live hit with the full force they deserve. However, unfortunately, during their set, there was a full show stop due to a medical emergency within the crowd. This left the band having to take a break during their set. When they returned to the stage, however and started playing, the energy built in the crowd returned at full force. Fat Dog are a tight cohesive live unit creating infectious danceable music that comes into its own live, and they truly can’t be stopped

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English Teacher

Tonight’s headline is English Teacher a band hard to full classify. On the stage, they become one with each other; they are absolute professionals almost to a fault. Their music is slightly angular at times and very pastoral at others, but always remains forward thinking. They aren’t a danceable act like Fat Dog, but they are definitely a festival band as they play a blistering set showcasing everything they achieved so early into their career. The band at such an early stage know who they are and have found their sound. They have become one of the most talked-about new bands in the scene because they sound so confident.

GirlBand!

Kicking off the mainstage is the trio Girlband! They bring their own brand of rock to the stage, which the crowd warmly enjoys. Being somewhat local to the festival, as they hail from Nottingham, they seem to enjoy the crowd and know how to work them. The band are high energy and doesn’t leave a moment to rest. The band don’t come on stage with a setlist as they know each other well enough to see where they will take the show. One of the surprises of the set was the inclusion of a T-Rex cover, which they absolutely smashed by putting their own energy into the song and making it feel like their own. All 3 members of the band take their time to focus on their instruments whilst still playing together as one.

Dream State

Bearded Theory isn’t the kind of festival you would expect to see a wall of death. Moshing, yes, but a wall of death just seems so far from what the festival is. Yet Dream State get the crowd going crazy through their charm. The band are definitely in the vein of Linkin Park, the combination of emotion and metal helping craft powerful anthems you can scream along to. For one of the few metal bands on the lineup, they don’t come across as out of place as some may have worried. The Bearded Theory crowd is full of fans of all music, so having some metal on the lineup creates a lovely change of pace. Dream State bring their all to the stage, and the crowd matches it by participating in some of the first large pits of the week. More festivals need to give metal bands a platform, as they often work really well giving the crowd something different.

Ezra Furman

Ezra Furman brings her own brand of 70s glam rock adjacent power pop-ish music to the mainstage. She puts her all into her performances, at times, it sounds like she’s destroying her vocal cords for the sake of the performance. The crowd is massive for her slot a lot of people seem to be passionate about seeing her. She has the energy of many of those glam performers of the 70s, with that combination of style and attitude that helps to make a great performance. The audience watches in almost silence and gives every song the appreciation it deserves.

Neds Atomic Dustbin

Neds Atomic Dustbin may be one of the only bands that has two bassists but having two bassists makes them incredible live. Being one of the greebo bands that dominated alternative music before grunge took over, they have a legacy and an army of fans at the festival. As with most punk bands, the pit is a big, beautiful mess of people just wanting to let go and dance. With anthems such as Grey Cell Green and Kill Your Television sending the crowd into a frenzy, the band are celebrating everything they are. They are danceable, they are rocky, they are just bloody good fun. Even when the lead singer falls over mid song he keeps going because the band are there to play and bring the good times. Their songs still sound as fresh as when they came out, and having two bassists isn’t a gimmick, it's just who the band are.

Yard Act

One of the bands that many people brought up about seeing at the festival was Yard Act. Their fans are deeply passionate about them and will share how great they are with anyone they run into. Their fans are correct Yard Act are an excellent band. They know when to be aggressive, they know when to have danceable moments, they know what works for them. They are all one as a band, they put nothing but pure joy into the crowd. The pit is full of everyone from all sides of music, punks, indie kids, metal heads and even radio 6 dads, they are for everyone. Live, they make the audience become one with each other. They sound incredible for a festival slot, everything goes smoothly for them. They are professional but know how to make everything seem relaxed and almost loose. One of the best new bands of the last few years.

Paul Heaton with special guest Rianne Downey

Paul Heaton has written so many classic songs that it’s somewhat unbelievable. His set is full of songs you would be shocked came from the mind of this legendary singer. Every aspect of his career is on show in this collection of greatest hits. His Housemartins songs helped created a lot of the 80s indie pop sound so legendary now, like when Happy Hour was played live. His songs, written with The Beautiful South like Perfect 10 and Song For Whoever are anthems for the audience. It’s a set full of sing-alongs. Rianne Downey really helps with making these songs keep their freshness as the play between her and Paul’s voice is something special and on her solo moments, her voice is soulful and warm with an infectious charisma bringing life to the music. Paul Heaton is professionally northen and that northen charm runs through his set, from the simple things like having a cuppa on the stage to cracking dad jokes between songs, he’s somewhat of an unlikely popstar but he is such a natural.

The Sisters Of Mercy

The Sisters of Mercy on albums have such a guttural feel, the intensity you get from Temple of Love hits like no other song with it’s dark and aggressive, almost industrial bassy sound yet at Bearded Theory, the mix just lacks that punch, almost neutering the set. It's such a shame as the band’s set is full of so many classics that anyone who wears eyeliner will know and love, but the mix really holds them back. The band spend the set masked in darkness, which matches the songs, but combined with the weak mix, it just seems like they are hiding something. Perhaps the weak mix is due to the lack of a live bassist now, as one of the major issues was the music lacking bass, or maybe it’s just due to festival sound being hard to truly master. They could sound so perfect live and have the same effect as they have in the studio if they just got the mix right.

The Lovely Eggs

The Lovely Eggs are one of the coolest couples within music. Bringing their mix of psychedelic-tinged punk to the festival, they showcase everything that makes them cool. For a two piece they sound large with the occasional synth lines being played over a backing track, but other than that, the show is just them. There are some sing along moments from their passionate fans who turn out in full force, complete with the bands own branded scarfs, and they seem to be obsessed with every moment the band are on stage. They are a refreshing take on punk and speak deeply from the heart, they don’t focus on aggression, they focus on passion.

Gaye Bykers On Acid

Another one of the greebo bands of the festival, Gaye Bykers On Acid give a blistering set of their own take on alternative music. Their sound is punk and slightly electronic, featuring heavy usage of samples. They are just simply fun, live with a long running army of passionate fans who follow them wherever they play. The pit isn’t full of moshing, but people are just throwing down some groovy moves to let loose. The band sound larger than they are on this stage and carves their own place into alternative music history, even if that isn’t the largest place. A set full of classics and newer songs from the band, with everyone sounding consistently good. The highlight is the band’s best-known song Everything’s Groovy, which sends the crowd into a frenzy of energy. The band are just the perfect band for a festival focusing on fun over everything else.

Nova Twins

The rain reached its peak for the whole festival during the Nova Twins Set, but the band brought their trademark energy they always do. The Nova Twins know who they are, they are when it comes to their image and sound, a refreshing take on alternative fashion and their own blend of alternative rock with elements of nu metal. The band have been making waves for a while now because they come across as so confident. With a lot of alternative bands sounding the same, it’s nice to have someone sound so different and authentically them. The rain didn’t affect their energy on stage or how the crowd reacted, which is testament to such a strong act.

The Mary Wallopers

Irish music seems to be having a new found success, especially political Irish music The Mary Wallopers celebrate the rich legacy of political Irish music by bringing it to a new generation. They play a variety of traditional songs covering all matter of topics, including why the rich are bad and pro-immigration songs which, despite being hundreds of years old, seem all the more relevant now. The band are so passionate about their heritage and beliefs that it comes across as more punk than some other bands who actually play punk music. They aren’t ashamed of who they are, and they celebrate everything about themselves. Their set is full of quiet moments where just one of the band takes lead and even then, they still have that powerful effect. The band are a celebration of Ireland and treat the music with the respect they deserve.

Iggy Pop

Iggy Pop is a living legend, the touchstone for rock and roll extremity and performance. He is known as the Godfather of punk yet he is so much more than that. He is known for his past live shows of pure unbridled adrenaline and stage craft, at age 78 he still delivers one of the greatest lives shows within music. Taking his shirt off in the first song so he can be shirtless and throwing microphone stands around the stage just simply doesn’t happen anymore. He plays every song with the energy that they had when recorded. Early in the set, he plays his two most famous solo tracks back to back, The Passenger and Lust For Life which come across as pure anthems for alternative people everywhere. Playing these two classics so early in the set and back to back is a brave choice, but the crowd goes absolutely wild for him. Every song he and his incredible backing band play has the trademark aggression and energy he is known for.

The mix is loud and comes across as an intense wall of sound covering the audience in the world of Iggy Pop. The set is full of Stooges classics too with another 2 tracks played together, I Wanna Be Your Dog and Search And Destroy sending the pit into a whirlwind. Many of the Stooges songs formed the basis for punk, and they can still stand alongside them. The music hasn’t aged despite some ofit being over 50 years old instead, it feels like it’s refined and Iggy has crafted over many years how to present these songs. Theres limited talking between songs as he has so many classics to play in an hour and a half, but he delivers a career defining set and a celebration of his legacy. Iggy Pop is a living music god Iggy Pop is rock and roll distilled into one 78-year-old man.

Slay Duggee

Have you ever thought that if only there was a metal band aimed at children dressed as dogs singing covers of TV show themes, well, know there is with Slay Duggee. One of the most unique things you will ever see at a festival is kids in a circle pit while a band dressed as dogs sing I Am A Shape from Mr Maker, its nostalgic on one level and on another just really funny. Slay Dugee know what they are doing, they create the perfect environment so kids with their parents can have their first mosh and enjoy music together, sometimes metal shows aren’t the best place for kids, but Slay Dugee make sure it can be. The band are funny, constantly giving shoutouts to Radio 6 dads and cracking jokes between songs aimed at parents. The kids in the audience seem to love it, and the parents have smiles on their faces. They are the perfect band for a family festival as they give you metal, and they will entertain children. They are great fun live.

Raised By Owls

Slay Dugee is family-friendly metal, whereas Raised By Owls certainly is not. Opening your show with Mr Blobby duel wielding dildos is one of the most impressive ways you can start a show and sets the tone of comedic metal chaos that the band deliver. Raised By Owls are a celebration of metal culture full of in jokes that metal heads will love and just enough general comedy that a non-crowd like Bearded Theory will leave the set with their sides hurting from laughter. They are the perfect festival band as they know how to entertain, what other band would have an interactive game show in the middle of their set, giving away silly t shirts. Musically, the band are somewhere between black and death metal, which makes them even more out of place at the festival, but it doesn’t matter, the crowd loves them just for how funny they are. Many of the audience end up in the wall of death meant to decide if its pronounced scone or scone. Its one of the highlights of the weekend seeing peoples reactions to the band and everyone coming away with a smile on their face. Raised By Owls are comedic gold and bring the riffs that everyone loves.

The Selecter

The Selecter are a legendary ska band; they are living history, and they bring their trademark brand of ska to an appreciative audience at Bearded Theory. Front woman Pauline Black is a natural, she knows how to tell stories between songs, give out political messages between songs and bring the energy when she sings. The band have a large catalogue of hits that have that infectious ska energy that makes you want to simply dance. Hits like 3 Minute Hero are celebrated by the band and crowd with many chances to sing and dance. They fit into the festival perfectly as everyone can enjoy them as they come across them so well. The band are nothing but professional and deliver a legacy defining set. The Selecter are ska legends.

Public Service Broadcasting

One of the acts many people said are a must see at the festival is Public Service Broadcasting. The band are built around samples from many historical events and uses them to help inform and entertain audiences. Live, they sound near studio perfect, every member of the band shines on their instruments. One of the most unique parts is having one member on stage dedicated to making visuals, often using a camera to intersperse the band with historical videos, creating some truly intriguing scenes. The band say very little on stage, but they communicate everything they need to through their music. Highlights of the set include when they bring a brass section onto stage, which adds a new dynamic which helps the set stay fresh, then bringing on some people dressed as astronauts helps with the story they are telling on stage. They are like no other band around, unique in their sound and approach. Public Service Broadcasting are confident and at the height of their powers a visual and musical treat.

Manic Street Preachers

The final headliner of the festival, Manic Street Preachers, is armed with a back catalogue of anthems. The set is the perfect way to end the weekend as it’s full of showmanship, anthems and some legendary guitar playing. When the band play Motorcycle Emptiness, the first thing that hits the audience is the sheer amount of guitar wizardry keeping the music as relevant as ever. The band pace their classics perfectly to make sure they arrive at just the right time to pick up the energy. The band are full of charm and come together as one while still keeping their own charm. Bassist Nicky Wire brings his own showmanship when performing an acoustic number alone and takes some confetti out of his pockets to add a little pizazz to the song. The band know how to perform to large crowds while still giving intimate moments with acoustic songs and letting each member take charge over the crowd for a time. Ending the set with the ever-relevant anthem If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next sees the audience hugging each other and singing along to the crescendo of the final moments with confetti and fireworks, the band showing how much they truly mean to people and remaining truly legendary. The band closes this festival that celebrates music by giving a truly joyous set that showcases everything they have been, can be and will be.

Bearded Theory is a truly lovely festival full of lovely people and lovely bands. The site is perfect for a festival of this size and complements the acts wonderfully. Each band brings such energy to the festival that the audience reflects. The festival platforms bands that won’t fit everywhere, but will fit the festival even the more leftfield choices still work in the context of the festival. The festival has everything from legends to bands just starting out, from ska to metal, everyone leaves the site feeling happy.

Words: Will Freeman

Photos: Lizzie Jones