As Bearded Theory comes to an end after an incredible weekend of music, camaraderie and scorchingly warm weather we are left with one final set of line-up choices to be made. Escaping reality for one more day before a return to our normal lives and any home comforts that we’ve missed. Bearded Theory has provided an incredibly varied line-up, some incredible performances and a wonderful atmosphere and I look forward to seeing what they have in store for next year’s festival.
La Securite
This Canadian band from Montreal were on early on the Meadow stage bringing their casually cool arty dance songs to the tent. The band who released their first album Stay Safe in 2023 after forming during COVID. This multilingual disco party was a welcome start to the day and well worth seeing if you can.
Lawnmower Deth
Recommended by a friend I decided to see Lawnmower Deth who were loud, funny and very enjoyable. The band were formed in the late 80s and returned after breaking up when they reformed in 2008. Pete Lee (singer) was grateful for the large mid day audience on the Meadow Stage as they tore through their thrash/metal/humorously themed songs. Highlights were ‘Weebles Wobble but they don’t fall down’ a very brief number (“Writings a gift”- joked Pete), ‘Egg Sandwich’ (“The only grindcore song about Egg Sandwiches in 30 seconds that you’ll hear this weekend”) and ‘Sheep Dip’. The band manage to balance menacing sounding evil noise with humor and a good natured approach to their set. They asked the crowd to “Raise your snails!” in celebration (a combination of combining your metal horns on one hand and other fingers to make a snail with your hands) bringing the crowd together and sending everyone out bouncing to their heavy mid-day set.
GANS
GANS were on at the Woodlands Stage in a mid-afternoon slot today before they are opening for Pixies in a larger venues. The three band members and good friends make noisy electronic music that is energetic, rousing and worms into your ears with their catchy refrains. The Black Country band consisting of Euan Woodman (Drums and vocals) and Tom Rhodes (vocals, bass, guitar and keyboards) who have been joined by Tommy Lawther (saxophone and flute) adding another layer to their performance and separating them from other similar bands. They encourage a circle pit pointing out a person in a horse head mask in the centre of the space. GANS are building a fanbase based on their music and live sets and show why this is today. They rip through ‘In Time’ and personal favourite ‘I think I like you’ from the Good for the Soul debut album gaining new fans. A band bound for greatness.
The Twilight Sad
The Twilight Sad are an intense, moody, loud revelation for me on the Pallet Stage. They combine their dry Scottish humor with emotive, powerful, well written songs that are a highlight for me today. Having never seen them before (which is inexcusable) I felt grateful for the opportunity to see them today. James Graham is an engaging frontman/singer who pours emotion into every song. They balance melodies with post punk noise and have recently released a new album It’s the long goodbye which was written by James and Andy MacFarlane is as good as anything they released in their initial incarnation. Although James thanked the crowd for listening to their “miserable Scottish” set he didn’t need to because Twilight Sad provided one of the most triumphant sets of the weekend.
Neville Staple
Neville Staple, introduced as the Original Rude Boy, walked on to the Pallet Stage alongside his band looking his age, but when he got to the microphone and started to sing had more vitality than someone half his age. Neville is a Ska legend playing with the Specials, Fun Boy Three and his own band and got the crowd skanking to these glorious songs. Neville’s band was sharp, providing a bouncing, joyous platform for Neville and Christine ‘Sugary’ Staple’s vocals. The band played ‘Monkey Man’. ‘Ghost Town’ ‘A Message to you, Rudy’ among others raising our spirits higher and getting us all dancing, singing along in the formidable heat.
Transformers set: Black Sabbath
Bearded Theory have arranged a Black Sabbath covers set which involves a group of musicians playing under the name Walpurgis focusing on early Sabbath numbers. The trio was made up of Mike Vennart (Oceansize and Biffy Clyro), Joe Lazarus (previously in Twin Atlantic) and Ben Griffiths (Alpha Male Tea Party) and was introduced by Stewart Lee. Stewart’s love of Black Sabbath was evident as he introduced the band talking about their formative role in heavy metal, psychedelic rock and his own music exploration. The band played spirited renditions of ‘Paranoid’, ‘Supernaut’ and ‘Sweet Leaf’ with Mike noting the challenge of singing some of the songs due to their high range. A fantastic way to celebrate one of the finest British bands together. The spirit of Ozzy was looking over us and the band who were clearly enjoying themselves sending a number of festival goers to the medical tent due to headbanging injuries.
Garbage
Garbage are headlining the Pallet Stage and have played a career spanning set mixing songs from their new album Let All that we Imagine be the Light with fan favourites. The newest songs sit nicely alongside the earlier tracks. Their alternative pop/rock music is filled with hooks, loud and exciting with the band sounding great despite this being the start of their tour. Shirley Manson is an engaging frontwoman with her stage presence, strong vocals and charisma. She has been under scrutiny for a recent incident involving a beach ball at a concert and her response which is more a result of immediate reactions on the internet than anything else. Their set included two tracks from Bleed from Within that hadn’t been played for 20 years, ‘Stupid Girl’ is a scathing pop song and ‘I think I’m paranoid’ stood out in a celebration of this longstanding but still fresh sounding band
La Securite: Bandcamp
Lawnmower Deth: Facebook
Gans: Bandcamp
The Twilight Sad: Bandcamp
Neville Staple: Bandcamp
Garbage: Website
Article and Photos by Jason McDonald
Bearded Theory Festival: Website, Instagram, Tickets
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