Bearded Theory announces first wave of names for 2026
Pixies, Skunk Anansie, Big Special, Fat Dog, Ferocious Dog, Getdown Services, Lambrini Girls, Panic Shack, Peter Hook and the Light, Reverend and the Makers, Goldie, Sprints & more
Catton Park, Derbyshire, 20-24th may 2026
Bearded Theory proves once again why it remains one of the UK’s most beloved alternative festivals. The highly-coveted, multi-award winning independent event is back at its idyllic homeland of Catton Park, Derbyshire on the 20-24th May, ready to spark another year of inspirational, community-driven, grassroots festivities. Nestled at the meeting point of the West Midlands, South Derbyshire and Staffordshire, and just two hours from 50% of the UK population, its prime location, beautiful setting and unmatched atmosphere make it the perfect place to kickstart your bank holiday weekend and get the festival season underway.
This year’s enthralling and eclectic headline offerings include alt-rock legends Pixies in celebration of their 40th anniversary as a band, and genre-blending trailblazers Skunk Anansie. Visceral spoken-word punks Big Special, the explosive energy of rising noise-rock outfit Fat Dog, anarchic folk-punk Ferocious Dog, delightfully sharp-tongued Bristolian’s Getdown Services, riotous punk force Lambrini Girls, the ferocious feminist punk of Panic Shack, who have risen up the bill with appearances at three of the last four years of the event, add further punch to a top-tier lineup. Joining them is iconic post-punk royalty Peter Hook and The Light (formerly of the influential post-punk bands Joy Division and New Order), Sheffield’s own Reverend and The Makers, and the sharp garage-rock stylings of Sprints.
Announced on the line-up so far:
Pixies // Skunk Anansie // Big Special * // Fat Dog //Ferocious Dog // Getdown Services // Lambrini Girls * // Panic Shack // Peter Hook and the Light // Reverend and the Makers // Sprints // Au Pairs // Beans on Toast // Bez // Dub Pistols (DJ Set) // Girl Scout // Goldie // Graeme Park // Heartworms // Kezia Gill // Leeroy Thornhill (ex Prodigy) // Neville Staple – From The Specials // Phil Hartnoll (Orbital DJ set) // Pop Will Eat Itself // Senser // Stewart Lee // The Unthanks * // The Wedding Present // Toots and the Maytals feat Leba Hibbert // Utah Saints // Venus Grrrls * // An Dannsa Dub * // Andrea Kenny * // Bloodworm * // DJ Rap // Drum Machine // Grandmas House // Jess Silk // LIINES * // Meatdripper * // Miki Berenyi Trio // Muddy Summers and the DFWs * // The Nightingales and Ted Chippington // Slay Duggee // Split Dogs * // The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican // The Pale White //
*playing Thursday
Bearded Theory festival presents attendees with monthly payment instalment plans, enabling buyers to spread the cost of purchase up until May 2026. Tickets are on sale now. For more info on the payment plans, camping options and facilities please go HERE.