March Newsletter

March 7, 2014 8:48 pm

We are delighted to announce the legendary WILKO JOHNSON finalises the
Main Stage line up for Bearded Theory 2014. When rock ‘n’ roll was
shaken from its pre-punk complacency by the emergence of Dr. Feelgood,
it was their guitarist Wilko Johnson who excited the most attention,
not only for the startling violence of his stage performance, but also
for his guitar style. Wilko stated in 2013 that he had terminal
cancer, and aptly announced he was going on a farewell tour. He
discussed his terminal cancer, and said that doctors have told him he
has ten months to live. In true style, Wilko is still rocking and, as
well as undertaking to play shows for as long as he is able, Johnson
is also recording a new album with Roger Daltrey. Bearded Theory has
pledged £1000 to McMillan Cancer Support in view of Wilko`s illness.

We welcome another festival legend to the Locked in the Woods Stage
being Levellers front man MARK CHADWICK who will be headlining Sunday
night. Mark will be performing with a band including Alex & Tom White
from Electric Soft Parade and Graeme Ross from The Martin Harley Band
plus a couple more to support the release of his new solo album. BBC
Radio 2 Folk Awards winner BLAIR DUNLOP and traditional folk band
GREENMAN RISING appear on the same day. Garage Punk band Electric
Brains join Friday night’s billing. Bearded legends PLEASE Y SELF
SKIFFLE band to perform on Thursday night in Tornado town and BAR
STEWARD SONS OF VAL DOONICAN join Sunday’s line up, and there’s
still plenty to come!

This year’s Sunday fancy dress theme is sparkles and magic. We
listened to feedback to try and make it more of an open theme and we
are really excited by some of the feedback. We can’t wait to see you
all sparkle. On Sunday we are having a paint fight so make sure you
bring some old clothes if you want to join in.

This will be our seventh year and will be hosted for 4 days over
Spring Bank holiday (May 22nd until 25th 2014). We cannot wait to show
you our new home at Catton Park in South Derbyshire and delighted to
include an extra day in the ticket price. Similar to Kedleston Hall we
will be located in idyllic countryside in the heart of the National
Forest. With that we will be hosting a brand new stage based in the
woods celebrate the move. We are proud to have the title of Best Small
Festival which we won at the 2013 UK Festival Awards and delighted we
won the Festival Kidz Gold Award for our amazing children’s village
which is testament to the great work of Angel Gardens.

Last month we were successful with our license application and secured
a permanent premises license. The new license not only means that we
never have to reapply but also allows Magical Sounds to continue the
party until 3am, Tornado Town is now open until 1am and the Locked in
the Woods until 5am. In the application process the festival received
backing from our previous licensing authority to which we are grateful
and we were even credited in the boroughs 2013 licensing report for
being a very well-run festival and one that exceeds best practice. We
have started to mould into our new local community with the Bearded
Theory financially supporting community projects and a donation being
made to the National War Arboretum. Please support our new local
economy this year by buying your camping supplies near to the festival
site. We have updated and improved our info page so for details on
local hotels and general information please click here (
http://www.beardedtheory.co.uk/page/general-info-amp-faq ).

VENUETHURSDAYFRIDAYSATURDAYSUNDAY

MAIN STAGE Closed
12:00 – 23:00
12:00 – 23:00
12:00 – 23:00

TORNADO TOWN 16:00 – 23:00
12:00 – 01:00
12:00 – 01:00
12:00 – 00:00

MAGICAL SOUNDS Closed
12:00 – 03:00
12:00 – 03:00
12:00 – 01:00

LOCKED IN THE WOODS 16:00 – 00:00
12:00 – 09:00
12:00 – 09:00
12:00 – 01:00

SOMETHING ELSE 14:00 – 00:00
12:00 – 05:00
12:00 – 05:00
12:00 – 01:00

WHITE RABBIT CABARET Closed
11:00 – 21:00
11:00 – 21:00
11:00 – 21:00

Tickets are selling very well and it is looking very likely that we
will sell out with weeks to spare. Our sales are mirroring 2012 when
we sold out in April. Please do not leave it too late this year as we
don’t want you to be disappointed. We have announced our shuttle bus
timetable which is detailed further below.