Bearded Theory Festival -Saturday May 23, 2026

Saturday has arrived and anyone still standing is discussing just how hot it is going to be as we start to plan around how to see as much as we can while occasionally finding some shade. The line up is packed with choices to make leading to both new discoveries and some regret over not being able to split myself in two or three. Pixies are headlining but until then there are choices to be made, new friends to make and frequent beverage breaks.

Henge

The first band of the day is Henge who proclaim that they have arrived on Earth (one of the top 17 planets according to lead singer Zpor). They sound like a mix of Flash Gordon era sci fi theme tunes and electronic based music with related alien themes. They are charming and fun and are popular based on the people wearing their merchandise, the lengthy queue for signings after and the response from the crowd. We set controls for the heart of the fun as they played ‘DNA’ and ‘Get a wriggle on’ about the Earth’s Climate Crisis and had dancing mushrooms and Astronauts on stage. Brilliantly bonkers.

Warmduscher

Warmduscher brought a different kind of energy to Bearded Theory on the Pallet Stage. The band performed a number of songs across their albums. ‘Whale City’ and ‘Fashion Week’ were standouts for me but the whole set was fantastic. Their propulsive, rock with electronic beats and scuzzy tales of wanton debauchery and dark humour are better suited for late evening but still work well in the sunshine. Clams Baker is the ringleader building the energy of the crowd and kicking the party off with a bang.

Bad Nerves

One of the best things about festivals and especially Bearded Theory is finding a band that you weren’t aware of and being blown away by them. For me this band is Bad Nerves from Essex. They are a power pop/garage rock group throwing out hook laden, incredibly catchy tunes and oozing rock star coolness. They were so rock and roll that they finished a gig in The Hague late last night driving here to make it for their midday set in the Meadow. They had the same kind of energy and sounded as good as early Strokes. ‘Can’t be mine’, ‘Electric 88’ and one minute long song ‘Loner’ barrel along with melodies stuck in your head long after they’ve finished. Lead singer Bobby Nerves got the crowd to jump around to ‘United States of America’ reminding us that life is brief and to enjoy ourselves. Rock music lives on carried on the shoulders of Bad Nerves and others if we are listening.

The Wedding Present

The Wedding Present are a self proclaimed Semi-Legendary band who are always a wonderful live. They sound incredible today, stretching out their songs at times with the guitar sounds chiming out a clarion call to indie music lovers. Their set is a festival friendly one drawing from George Best, Seamonsters and Bizarro. David Gedge deserves recognition as one of the finest songwriters of his generation and the band’s continued quality after so long is a testament to the band. Waiting for the guitars to drop in during ‘Corduroy’ and the extended guitar breakdown on ‘Deer caught in the headlights’ are deliciously great. The singalong/jump around to the closers ‘Kennedy’ and ‘Brassneck’ are sublimely beautifully fun. They even throw in their cover of Pavement’s ‘Box Elder’ (bought by a band member at the time). If you’ve never seen them before and love this type of music I’m heartily recommend you do so.

Pixies

Pixies headlined the Pallet stage tonight drawing a huge crowd eagerly anticipating these alternative rock titans. Original members Black Francis, Joey Santiago and Dave Lovering were joined by Emma Richardson on bass and backing vocals. They have recorded some of the most loved alternative rock anthems and played a large section of them tonight along with more recent songs from album The Night the Zombies came. Pixies are still making good music and it is understandable why they want to play music they have made recently but there is a difference in quality in my view with newer releases. This is only a minor quibble though and there are so many high points within the set that connect so well with us. The songs off of Come on Pilgrim are frenetic, weirdly brilliant tonight. We get both versions of ‘Wave of Mutilation’, the Neil Young ‘Winterlong’ cover and a tremendous ‘Where is my mind’. Pixies are celebrating 40 years together and are still as relevant to people who enjoyed them when they started out and new fans. A triumphant set by a band that has become so revered, copied and somehow remained true to their experimental spirit.