Bearded Theory has unveiled a massive second wave of artists for its 2026 edition, adding a host of alternative heavyweights to an already impressive bill. The multi-award-winning independent festival is set to return to the idyllic grounds of Catton Park, Derbyshire, from 20th to 24th May 2026. Renowned for its community-driven atmosphere, the event continues to solidify its reputation as one of the UK’s most beloved grassroots festivities, taking place just two hours from half of the UK population.
Leading the new announcement are 90s alternative icons Garbage and pioneering British punks The Damned, who bring decades of rock heritage to the Pallet and Meadow stages. They are joined by a diverse array of talent including respected troubadour Kae Tempest, Mercury Prize winner Badly Drawn Boy, and empowering indie-pop artist Kate Nash. The festival has also secured appearances from intelligently humorous Irish songwriter CMAT, power-pop rock ‘n’ rollers Bad Nerves, and Scottish indie rockers Idlewild.
Tickets for the 2026 event are on sale now, with the festival offering monthly payment instalment plans that allow buyers to spread the cost up until May 2026. Bearded Theory’s prime location at the meeting point of the West Midlands, South Derbyshire, and Staffordshire makes it an accessible choice for those looking to kickstart their bank holiday weekend. Full details on camping options, facilities, and payment plans can be found on the official ticket page.
These newly announced acts join the previously revealed headline attractions, including alt-rock legends Pixies, who are celebrating their 40th anniversary, and genre-blending trailblazers Skunk Anansie. The lineup already boasts an eclectic mix of performers such as Peter Hook and The Light, Sprints, Reverend and The Makers, and Pop Will Eat Itself. The festival continues to punch above its weight with eight unique stages, including the dance-oriented CODA and Big Ed areas, and the intimate Woodland stage known for its tree-canopied silent disco.
True to its independent ethos, Bearded Theory maintains a strong commitment to championing emerging talent without corporate sponsorship. This year’s bill welcomes buzzing new names like nu-metal rapper Native James, Irish dream-poppers She’s In Parties, and melancholic heavy shoegazers thistle. The event also features the return of the award-winning Festival School in the Children’s Area. Following glowing praise from The Guardian, the school offers a full curriculum from maths to DJ workshops. While the first batch of enrollments is complete, additional spaces will be made available for parents on 2nd January at 6pm.
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Bearded Theory 2026 line-up so far:
(W) playing Wednesday | (T) playing Thursday
- Pixies
- Garbage
- Skunk Anansie
- CMAT
- The Damned
- Kae Tempest
- Badly Drawn Boy
- Bad Nerves
- Big Special (T)
- Fat Dog
- Ferocious Dog
- Getdown Services
- Idlewild
- Kate Nash
- Kid Kapichi
- Lambrini Girls (T)
- NewDad
- Panic Shack
- Peter Hook and the Light
- Reverend and the Makers
- Sprints
- A Certain Ratio (T)
- Adult DVD
- Au Pairs
- Beans on Toast
- Bez
- Chalk
- Dub Pistols (DJ Set)
- EMF (W)
- GANS (W)
- Girl Scout
- Goldie
- Good Health Good Wealth
- Graeme Park
- Heartworms
- Henge
- jasmine.4.t
- Kezia Gill
- King Prawn
- Leeroy Thornhill (ex Prodigy)
- Neville Staple – From The Specials
- Phil Hartnoll (Orbital DJ set)
- Pop Will Eat Itself
- Senser
- Stewart Lee
- The Magic Numbers
- The Molotovs
- The Sabres of Paradise
- The Unthanks (T)
- The Wedding Present
- Toots and the Maytals feat Leba Hibbert
- Utah Saints
- Venus Grrrls (T)
- Westside Cowboy
- 3 Daft Monkeys (T)
- Amelia Coburn
- An Dannsa Dub (T)
- Andrea Kenny (T)
- Bloodworm (T)
- Cara Means Friend (W)
- Chris Hawkins BBC 6 Music DJ Set (T)
- DJ Rap
- Drum Machine
- Grandmas House
- Jess Silk
- Jools (W)
- La Sécurité
- LIINES (T)
- Meatdripper (T)
- Meryl Streek (W)
- Miki Berenyi Trio
- Muddy Summers and the DFWs (T)
- Native James (T)
- She’s In Parties
- Slay Duggee
- Split Dogs (T)
- Taylor More Swiftly
- Teke::Teke
- The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican
- The League of Rebelz
- The Nightingales and Ted Chippington
- The Pale White
- thistle.
Image credits:
Louisa Thompson
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