Bearded Theory festival – Friday 23rd May

This year saw Bearded Theory festival moving to a new home after being at Kedleston Hall for years, it’s moved to Catton Hall, between Burton on Trent and Lichfield, and familiar to some fans as the home of Bloodstock festival.  Sadly despite the previous weekend enjoying scorching hot sunshine, this weekend saw lots of rain, and a muddy site.  Despite this, fans were still out to have fun, and while the overall feel may have been slightly more subdued than on a hot day, everywhere you looked there were people having fun whether they were watching the bands, drinking at the beer tent, enjoying some of the other entertainment on offer, or just hanging out with friends.  As always Bearded Theory attracted lots of families with children, and there’s a special area full of activities for them to get involved with and to have fun.

Leatherat open the proceedings on the main stage with some excellent folk rock.  They’re a band I’ve not come across before but I was really impressed by their set and will certainly be checking them out in the future.  The crowd certainly love the music with plenty of people dancing to it.  A great way to start the day.

Over on the Tornado Town stage, Funke and the two tone baby was also playing to a large crowd.  Funke and the two tone baby is the stage name of musician Dan Turnbull, and his music is new and interesting – using multiple microphones, bass guitar with effects pedals and more.  Sadly I only caught the last few minutes of his set, but what I heard sounded great.

The Membranes are a band that straight away seem familiar – their distinctive singer, John Robb was at Bearded Theory last year with his other band, Goldblade.  Musically The Membranes have more of a punk sound compared to the rock sound of Goldblade, but some things are the same – John Robb is an energetic frontman who hates to be tied to staying on stage and the first song isn’t even over before he jumps down from the stage and gets up close with the fans at the front

Culture shock are another band that seem familiar – singer Dick Lucas and bassist Jasper were at Bearded Theory last year as part of Citizen Fish.  Culture shock formed in 1986 but split in 1989 and it was after this that Citizen Fish formed.  Now reunited, Culture shock are here on the main stage at Bearded Theory.  Like Citizen Fish they play a blend of Ska and Punk, and it’s a sound that goes down extremely well with the crowd today.

Dub pistols came on stage to a deserted arena – the pouring rain had driven people to take shelter in the beer tents, but within seconds of starting, the crowd flooded in and it wasnt long before they had a large crowd.  So what drew people so fast?  Well that’s simple – Dub Pistols are a superb live band with an infectious blend of ska, rock, punk and even a bit of hip hop.

Peter Hook & the light were next up.  As Bassist of Joy Division and New Order, Peter Hook is a big part of British musical history, and his set tonight brings together music from both New Order and Joy Division – it’s a superb set that deservedly pulls a large crowd, and ending with “Love will tear us apart” he brings to an end a great set, leaving just one question – how can Carter USM follow that?

Carter the unstoppable sex machine are tonight’s headliner, here performing their final ever festival show, with their final ever shows due for November this year.  Given that this is one of their last three shows then clearly the fans are excited about seeing the band and they draw the biggest crowd of the day.

 

 

 

 

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