The ones to watch at Bearded Theory 2026
- Ben Blissett
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
Bearded Theory returns to Catton Park once again for another run and a fantastic showcase of artists for this independent music festival; scenic views, country air, and a family-friendly setting are what make this festival such a fun time, if you’re going, here are ten artists you simply can’t miss.
PIXIES
As the headliner and one of the most legendary bands of the 90's do you really want to miss these guys? Age has not slowed down PIXIES at all as they have been putting on some fantastic shows in the past few years; headlining arenas, festivals and showing crowds the versatility of what they can do. As the original Alt/Rock bands of the 80s and 90s you’d be missing out on one of the most influential bands in history, and you’d be missing out on such hits as Where Is My Mind? and Here Comes Your Man.
CMAT
An insane amount of buzz has been generated around this Irish pop star as of late, with her wit, talent and emotion, you can see why she’s gaining a lot of traction. Her stage presence and commitment are absolutely enough to warrant a visit to her set over the weekend alone; CMAT is known for taking the insane songwriting within their music and emphasising it for the live audience, adding to the larger-than-life persona you see on stage. Energy, humour and strong emotions are what you’ll experience from this set, so you don’t want to miss it.
THE DAMNED
Often cited as the original English punk band due to them being the first to officially release music, these punk rockers started at a young age and have never stopped committing to the UK punk movement since its inception in the mid 70s; never holding back, always sticking it to the man. Seeing this set means you’re seeing a pivotal part of music history, this band's experience, energy, and musical prowess is really a sight to behold.
EVERYTHING EVERYTHING
A band whose strange lyrics and odd musical composition are all a part of their charm, there’s some serious musical talent within the confines of this band, they have some seriously strong vocals led by Johnathan Higgs and some instrumentals that are quite remarkable to hear live, with some songs to make you cry, some songs to boogie to, you can’t go wrong with a bit of EVERYTHING EVERYTHING.
FAT DOG
We’ve talked a lot about this band, and what more really can be said? They’re loud, they're strange, they’re intense and their fans love and breathe the music, expect mosh pits, expect crowd surfers, expect chaos. You’d be very silly to miss any opportunity you get to see FAT DOG.
BEANS ON TOAST
It doesn’t get more DIY than BEANS ON TOAST, hailing from Braintree in Essex, this British folk singer would make for a good set to see with a beer in your hand and the sun blazing down on your face, his gruff but soft voice compliments his sweet guitar playing and just makes you feel summery. The humorous politically charged lyrics will send the right message and put a smile on your face.
BAD NERVES
A band who only ever proves to everyone who sees them how fun they truly are, these bombastic five from Essex are rolling out their self-proclaimed powerpop to the masses, and you just don’t get better than this. Amassing a fan base who always show up to reciprocate their chaos, making for wild sets that blow the roof off anywhere they play; They’re fast, they’re fun, they don’t hold back, if you fancy a crazy pit, BAD NERVES are your guys this weekend.
LAMBRINI GIRLS
Another punk band for this list, but you can’t deny the meteoric rise of these two, you can’t escape them in the alternative scene at all, it definitely has something to do with their un-killable energy, badass style, and aggressive sets that feel like a kick in the teeth. This band are sure to go far and seeing them while they’re still relatively small is a great opportunity missed.
VENUS GRRRLS
With their Goth-Grudge sound and aesthetic, any lover of rock will be pulled into this band’s insane talent; incredibly strong vocals coupled with instrumentals to blast your eardrums, it’s no doubt this band will be a lot of fun to see. These 5 have a sound that’s an absolute kick to the stomach in the best way possible, we definitely think this set will garner an intense mosh pit that will be a 30 minutes to absolutely remember.
MERYL STREEK
Another Punk artist but MERYL STREEK’s blend of genre is quite remarkable to see, with aggressive spoken word, poppy synths and gruff riffs, they’re a real mix and match, their energy and songs though will only ever elevate and make for a really fun set that will only add to the summer vibe.
Head to Catton Park this summer to join the fun at Bearded Theory 2026.
Words: Ben Blissett
Cover Photo: Ben Blissett for Out Of Rage
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