Bearded Theory 2025 in South Derbyshire - May 22, 2025

The Slow Readers Club

1 concert

The Slow Readers Club, born in Manchester, craft anthemic post-punk alt-rock with dark, political lyrics. Known for powerful live shows, their 2023 album hit UK No29.

Millie Manders and the Shutup

4 concerts

Millie Manders and The Shutup deliver cross-genre punk with energetic flair, infectious hooks, and thought-provoking lyrics. Known for electrifying live shows, her music has been praised by Radio X's John Kennedy and The Specials' Lynval Golding.

ALT BLK ERA

4 concerts

ALT BLK ERA, a UK sister duo, won a MOBO 2025 for Best Alternative Music Act and topped the UK Rock & Metal chart with "Rave Immortal". Known for genre-defying sound blending Rock, Alt Pop, DnB, Rap, and Electronic. They've performed at top festivals like Glastonbury and Download and headlined BBC Introducing at Reading & Leeds. Featured in NME, Rock Sound, Kerrang!, and Metal Hammer.

Nova Twins

46 concerts

Nova Twins are a groundbreaking UK rock duo, praised by Tom Morello and Elton John. Known for their electric live shows and innovative sound, they are the first Black rock band shortlisted for the Mercury Music Prize. They’ve shared the stage with Foo Fighters, Muse, and Bring Me The Horizon, dominating festivals worldwide.

Lime Garden

7 concerts

Brighton's Lime Garden, an indie-electro band known for their debut album "One More Thing," features Chloe Howard, Leila Deeley, Tippi Morgan & Annabel Whittle. Acclaimed by 6 Music, NME, and The Independent.

Utah Saints

7 concerts

Utah Saints, electronic dance pioneers from Leeds, excel in sampling and house music. With 9 UK Top 40 hits and 2 million records sold, they're famed for tracks like "Something Good" and have earned accolades including a Rolling Stone mention. They also established renowned club nights and have DJ’d with icons from U2 to Public Enemy.

Iggy Pop

3 concerts

Iggy Pop, born in Michigan, prefigured '70s punk and '90s grunge, known for iconic albums like Lust for Life and The Idiot. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Stooges in 2010 and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020. His collaboration with Josh Homme on Post Pop Depression earned a Grammy nod. Iggy's film work includes the Golden Globe-nominated "Gold" and contributions to "Good Time," which won at Cannes.

Grade 2

8 concerts

Isle of Wight natives Grade 2, formed by teens Jack Chatfield, Jacob Hull, & Sid Ryan, blend punk roots with modern themes. Known for unique sound, they're signed with Tim Armstrong's Hellcat Records.

Ned's Atomic Dustbin

2 concerts

Ned's Atomic Dustbin, formed in England, mixed punk and funk with a unique two-bass sound. Known for "Kill Your Television," their 1991 debut *God Fodder* hit #4 in the UK. Despite UK success, they had a cult US following.

Gurriers

14 concerts

Dublin's Gurriers tackle modern malaise with punk debut "Come and See," featuring sharp lyrics on youth disillusionment and social issues, praised by Dork Magazine.

The Alarm

4 concerts

Formed in Wales, The Alarm is known for their energetic mix of amped-up acoustics and harmonica. Hits like “The Stand” and “Sixty Eight Guns” gained them fame. The band played live via MTV in the Spirit of '86 concert and reinvented themselves with 2004's “45 RPM” chart hit. They've faced hurdles like Mike Peters' cancer but released albums such as "Under Attack" and "Equals." Celebrated during their 30th Anniversary, they continue to impact with albums like the 2019 chart-topping "Sigma."

Ezra Furman

1 concert

Ezra Furman, born in Chicago, is celebrated for her genre-blending music and emotional storytelling. Known for albums like *Perpetual Motion People* and *Transangelic Exodus*, she combines punk energy with heartfelt lyricism. Her work includes the soundtrack for Netflix's *Sex Education*, highlighting her unique voice in modern music.

Antony Szmierek

11 concerts

Antony Szmierek, a Manchester native, blends rap, spoken word, and dance, celebrating life's beauty. Acclaimed for EPs 'Poems To Dance To' and 'Seasoning', he’s a BBC 6 Music Artist of the Year 2023 and has captivated audiences with sold-out UK tours.

WITCH

2 concerts

Zambian band Witch, pioneers of Zamrock, blended Western rock, R&B, and African sounds. Known for '70s hits like "Lazy Bones!!" and their influential style, they first broke ground with 1972's "Introduction." Reissued in 2011, Witch gained a new audience and resumed touring.

Shonen Knife

10 concerts

Japanese band Shonen Knife, formed in Osaka in 1981, blends Ramones-inspired punk-pop with playful themes. Known for albums like "Let's Knife," gigs with Nirvana, and hits like "Tomato Head." Their charm spans over four decades with steady releases and global tours, maintaining energy despite lineup changes.

Katy J Pearson

3 concerts

Katy J Pearson from Bristol blends country heartache with dance floor romance. Known for her debut album 'Return' and a vocal style likened to Kate Bush and Dolly Parton, she's celebrated for sold-out UK shows and her unique musical storytelling.

Getdown Services

16 concerts

Getdown Services, consisting of Josh Law and Ben Sadler, hail from Minehead and are now based in Bristol. They create music on their computers, releasing their debut album, "Crisps," via Breakfast Records. Known for frequent UK/EU tours, they are active on Instagram. Photos by Siôn Marshall-Waters and Seren Pritchard-Bland.

Leftfield

10 concerts

Formed in 1988, Leftfield, originally Neil Barnes and Paul Daley, revolutionized dance music with their pioneering albums Leftism and Rhythm & Stealth. After a hiatus, Barnes returned with acclaimed albums Alternative Light Source and This Is What We Do, collaborating with artists like Jason Williamson and Tunde Adebimpe. Leftfield is renowned for their innovative live performances and Mercury Prize-nominated work.

CLT DRP

1 concert

Electro-punk band CLT DRP, known for their unique punk-electronica-pop sound, have been gaining a UK fanbase with their dynamic live shows. New album: "Nothing Clever, Just Feelings."

The Selecter

2 concerts

The Selecter, led by Pauline Black, the Queen of Ska, and co-fronted by Arthur ‘Gaps’ Hendrickson, excels in 2-Tone ska. Known for hits like “Three Minute Hero,” they celebrated their 40th anniversary with a global tour.

The Mary Wallopers

8 concerts

The Mary Wallopers, started by brothers Charles and Andrew Hendy with friend Sean McKenna, is an Irish ballad group known for raw, energetic performances. Their debut EP, "A Mouthful of The Mary Wallopers," captures their unique blend of warmth and chaos. Expanded to a six-piece, they sold out shows at Dublin's Vicar Street and Camden's Powerhaus, earning a reputation for lively gigs.

3 Daft Monkeys

3 concerts

Formed in Cornwall by Ashton, Roberts & Mulryne, 3 Daft Monkeys blend Cornish & Celtic tunes with global folk, reggae, & dance. Known for electric live shows & self-produced album Hubbadillia with critical acclaim & BBC Radio 2 airplay.

Throwing Muses

14 concerts

Throwing Muses, formed by Kristin Hersh, David Narcizo, and Bernard Georges, reshaped alternative music with their groundbreaking style. Signed to Fire Records, their albums like 'University' hit US and UK charts. Hersh’s solo effort 'Hips and Makers' further showcased her fierce independence, opting for authenticity over corporate demands.

Manic Street Preachers

1 concert

Manic Street Preachers' 15th album, "Critical Thinking," blends soul-searching lyrics with addictive melodies. Collaborators include Dave Eringa and Loz Williams, and it features Nicky Wire on lead vocals and Lana McDonagh. The album is recorded at Door To The River Studio and Rockfield, Monmouth.

Home Counties

2 concerts

Home Counties bring fun to the everyday grind with their debut album "Exactly As It Seems," blending upbeat 2000s pop with wry social commentary on London life. Known for catchy, melodic tunes like "You Break It, You Bought It" and "Uptight," they explore relatable themes of city living, earning them a unique spot in the indie scene.

Zion Train

1 concert

Zion Train, born in the UK, is a unique live dub act known for onstage dub mixing and acoustic instruments. Celebrated 30 years in 2018, they’ve played over 3000 shows worldwide, including Glastonbury and Woodstock Poland. They feature Cara Jane Murphy and own Abassi Sound System, and run Universal Egg and Deep Root labels.

She Drew The Gun

1 concert

Wirral-born Louisa Roach leads She Drew The Gun, blending 80s electronica, hip-hop, and psychedelia. Winning Glastonbury's Emerging Talent, her political lyrics shine in acclaimed albums like 'Memories' and 'Revolution of Mind.' Collaborated with James Skelly.

Mannequin Pussy

1 concert

Mannequin Pussy, a Philadelphia rock band, known for their cathartic tunes, blends punk and pop. Key members include Marisa Dabice and Colins Regisford. Their acclaimed third album "Patience" led to tours and their EP "Perfect." They’re celebrated for addressing despair and resilience in an unkind world.

Swim Deep

5 concerts

Swim Deep, from Birmingham, known for their indie/dream-pop sound, redefines themselves with 'There’s A Big Star Outside,' featuring the poignant track ‘How Many Love Songs Have Died In Vegas?’

Muireann Bradley

2 concerts

Muireann Bradley, from Ballybofey, County Donegal, draws inspiration from classic blues artists. Her debut album features live, unedited tracks reminiscent of 1920s and 1930s recordings.

The Bug Club

1 concert

The Bug Club, formed by Sam Willmett and Tilly Harris in Caldicot, UK, creates humor-infused rock music. Signed by Bingo Records in 2020, they've released hits like 'We Don’t Need Room For Lovin’ and albums like 'Green Dream in F#'. Championed by BBC 6 Music, they’ve toured globally and are now signed to Sub Pop Records.

Beans on Toast

7 concerts

Essex-born folk artist Beans on Toast mixes DIY style with modern concerns, earning a cult figure status. Known for his honest, politically charged songs, he's collaborated with Ben Lovett and Frank Turner. A constant presence at Glastonbury since 2007, he's a favorite in festivals worldwide.

The Sisters Of Mercy

21 concerts

The Sisters of Mercy, a renowned English rock band formed in Leeds (1980), led by Andrew Eldritch, are famous for their gothic industrial style. Known for hits like "Alice" and "Temple of Love," their major albums include "Floodland" and "Vision Thing."

Mclusky

13 concerts

Formed in Cardiff, Wales, in the late '90s, mclusky is known for their biting lyrics, angular riffs, and chaotic live shows. They released three acclaimed albums and, after reforming in 2019, continue captivating audiences, now without the asterisk in their name. Their fourth album, the world is still here and so are we, sees the band keep thriving.

Public Service Broadcasting

4 concerts

Public Service Broadcasting, led by J. Willgoose, Esq., from the UK, merges cinematic rock with historical themes, famous for albums like The Race For Space. Known for collaborations with artists like Kate Stables, their work, often featuring archival sounds, celebrates human spirit through innovative storytelling.