Bearded Theory 2026

[Chrisp1986]

2 minutes ago, Flaminglippy said:

I'm guessing there is only one more 'main' headliner to go...guessing Pixies and Skunk Anansie will doing 2 of the Fri/Sat/Sunday headline slots on main stage. 

I am going with James, they are announcing an arena tour for next year in next few weeks. That would need announcing first. 

[Flaminglippy]

11 minutes ago, Chrisp1986 said:

I am going with James, they are announcing an arena tour for next year in next few weeks. That would need announcing first. 

If it was I'd be well happy with that but got a feeling it might be something slightly more 'left field'. 

[Jon F]

24 minutes ago, Flaminglippy said:

I'm guessing there is only one more 'main' headliner to go...guessing Pixies and Skunk Anansie will doing 2 of the Fri/Sat/Sunday headline slots on main stage. 

Not complaining cos they’re great live, but Skunk Anansiw feel more like a sub main stage or meadows headliner?   The placing on the poster certainly suggests headliner though 

[incident]

39 minutes ago, Chrisp1986 said:

Made my Spotify playlist and actually it is good. Initially A LOT of people who have been in last 3 years will wonder who they haven't seen. I mean yeah, Beans, Ferocious and Doonicans are kind of 'House bands' but there is a lot of repetition there beyond them.

Ferocious Dog have announced that 2026 will be their last year, and so this is as much a farewell booking as a house band one.

 

If that distinction actually matters.

[Chrisp1986]

17 minutes ago, Jon F said:

Not complaining cos they’re great live, but Skunk Anansiw feel more like a sub main stage or meadows headliner?   The placing on the poster certainly suggests headliner though 

Agreed. Not really headline material in 2026. As good as the last album was, it did flop a bit. Smaller crowd than Interpol? 

[Chrisp1986]

1 minute ago, incident said:

Ferocious Dog have announced that 2026 will be their last year, and so this is as much a farewell booking as a house band one.

 

If that distinction actually matters.

Let's just be happy they are playing for the last time. The other house bands are better and dont take up prime Pallet slots.

[sadimmock]

Surely Skunk Anansie can’t be headliners? I have always had a great time at Bearded Theory and sure I will next year but, blimey that poster feels very repetitive of the last few years.

 

I’m sure that they will add some interesting stuff in the advent calendar thing, but I’m not sure what the purpose of that poster is. Nobody new is going to buy a ticket on the basis of it are they? 

Edited September 25, 2025 by sadimmock

[incident]

1 hour ago, Chrisp1986 said:

Agreed. Not really headline material in 2026. As good as the last album was, it did flop a bit. Smaller crowd than Interpol? 

37 minutes ago, sadimmock said:

Surely Skunk Anansie can’t be headliners?

 

I appreciate that it's a while ago now, and the festival has evolved, but they did headline in 2017 (which I believe is the last time Bearded actually sold out..) and got a very decent crowd in the process so wouldn't bet on it being problematically small this time around.

Edited September 25, 2025 by incident

[Gnomicide]

Skunk Anansie were joint headliners last time they payed, if I remember correctly. Even though they did go on last.

 

I'm guessing they are Pallet but a little underwhelming for me. 

 

Pixies I'll have to listen to again but not a thrilling prospect, they were good the last time I saw them but that was in 1991 😁

 

All in all, lacking an "Oh wow!" act, but there is still plenty to keep me happy.

[gizmoman]

Nothing too great for me on that 1st poster but I did see Senser last week at Equinox and they put on a fantastic set, not seen them before but was impressed, this is not my video but gives a taste (the sound on the night was immense, the video doesn't do it justice).

 

[FrogStupid]

Pixies, Big Special, Sprints were all on my want list, so I'm happy with that so far.

[Flaminglippy]

8 hours ago, Jon F said:

Not complaining cos they’re great live, but Skunk Anansiw feel more like a sub main stage or meadows headliner?   The placing on the poster certainly suggests headliner though 

They headlined Beautiful Days about 5 years ago...appreciate that's long time in music but their position on the poster next to Pixies suggests they will be headlining. They dont appear to have any other dates lined up so hard to tell what sized venues they would sell out currently. 

[sadimmock]

49 minutes ago, Flaminglippy said:

They headlined Beautiful Days about 5 years ago...appreciate that's long time in music but their position on the poster next to Pixies suggests they will be headlining. They dont appear to have any other dates lined up so hard to tell what sized venues they would sell out currently. 

Looking through their 2025 tour it’s hard to place them (lots of festivals and smaller venues). There is a run of academy gigs though, so I guess that’s about right? 

[riverwise]

I was at both the BT and Beautiful Days where Skunk Anansie headlined. Didn’t watch them either time, but at both festivals there was loads of chat the next day about how good they were. 

[IndiePoppyJock]

I’m not particularly excited by that first announcement, but I’m ok with that as I’m not really one for watching the main headliners anyway and happy dancing away in Maui Waui to a band I’ve never heard of.

I’ll definitely give Pixies a listen. Panic Shack and Doonicans are definites, but happy to just work the rest out nearer the time when it’s all announced. 

 

[onemoresolo]

Skunk Anansie possibly a Thursday headliner?

[Jon F]

5 minutes ago, onemoresolo said:

Skunk Anansie possibly a Thursday headliner?

No star next to the name so presuming not 

[riverwise]

hmm, email is careful not to say that SA are headlining...

 

 

Headlining in 2026, we're thilled to have timeless alt-rock band PIXIES who'll bring their distinctive style and powerful live show to Catton Park.

Also playing next year are UK rock phenomenon SKUNK ANANSIE, who were incredible at Bearded 2017, and will be captivating us once again in May.

 

[Gnomicide]

4 minutes ago, riverwise said:

hmm, email is careful not to say that SA are headlining...

 

 

 

Headlining in 2026, we're thilled to have timeless alt-rock band PIXIES who'll bring their distinctive style and powerful live show to Catton Park.

Also playing next year are UK rock phenomenon SKUNK ANANSIE, who were incredible at Bearded 2017, and will be captivating us once again in May.

 

 

Yep, this is what I was thinking. Happy to see them there but don't think they're a headliner.

[incident]

6 minutes ago, riverwise said:

hmm, email is careful not to say that SA are headlining...

 

 

 

Headlining in 2026, we're thilled to have timeless alt-rock band PIXIES who'll bring their distinctive style and powerful live show to Catton Park.

Also playing next year are UK rock phenomenon SKUNK ANANSIE, who were incredible at Bearded 2017, and will be captivating us once again in May.

 

 

Well, that's a bit interesting then. Two more to come.

[Jon F]

2 minutes ago, Gnomicide said:

 

Yep, this is what I was thinking. Happy to see them there but don't think they're a headliner.

The (almost unreadable all caps) blurb on the site suggests headliner:

 

"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."

[OhHell]

Well Im happy with that! 

 

Loads I dont know so lots new to explore but v v happy with Peter Hook, Reverend, Toots, Utah Saints and Slay Duggee! Bet nobody can guess my age or who im bringing with me /s

[Paul ™]

SA will headline, aa they did in 2017.

 

Shame on Ticketmaster breaking the embargo, shocked they are even involved tbfh!

[Paul ™]

11 hours ago, Chrisp1986 said:

Agreed. Not really headline material in 2026. As good as the last album was, it did flop a bit. Smaller crowd than Interpol? 

Quoted for the future when they have a huge crowd 

[Gnomicide]

10 minutes ago, Jon F said:

The (almost unreadable all caps) blurb on the site suggests headliner:

 

"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."

 

Good spot. I gave up trying to read the website 😁