Pixies and Skunk Anansie lead stacked Bearded Theory 2026 line-up

Bearded Theory has announced the first line-up for its 2026 edition. Find all the details below.

The festival is due to return to Catton Park in Derbyshire between Wednesday May 20 and Sunday May 24.

Today (September 26), organisers have shared an initial wave of artists for next year’s event, led by Pixies and Skunk Anansie.

Other acts on the bill include Big Special, Reverend And The Makers, Fat Dog, Sprints, Lambrini Girls, Peter Hook & The Light, Heartworms, Ferocious Dog, Panic Shack, Bez, Beans On Toast and comedian Stewart Lee.

Tickets for Bearded Theory 2026 are on sale now – you can buy yours here.

Stewart Lee, who also performed at the festival this year, explained: “Bearded Theory reminded me of what festivals used to be like, where a community of actual music fans come together to enjoy the music they love, rather than stand around disengaged eating expensive luxury food next to Jeremy Clarkson and the cheesemaking bassist from Blur.

“In a world where cost and culture has made the festival experience an exclusively middle class one, with Glastonbury another stop on the same summer schedule as Glyndebourne, Bearded Theory seemed refreshingly egalitarian.”

He added: “And people can take supplies on site with them rather than having to spend even more once in. I’m so glad I was able to go with my teenage daughter so she could see how great these things can be.”

Bearded Theory hosts eight stages and areas across its site, including the Pallet, Meadow, Big Ed and CODA. Organisers have promised that there’s “more to come” for the line-up in the coming months. See the announcement video in the post above.

Meanwhile, Pixies recently announced a 40th anniversary UK and European tour for next May – including a show at the historic Royal Albert Hall in London.

Skunk Anansie, meanwhile, released their latest album ‘The Painful Truth’ earlier this year. They opened for The Smashing Pumpkins London this summer, following Skin and co’s UK headline tour in the spring.

Bearded Theory 2025 saw headline performances from Iggy Pop, Manic Street Preachers and The Sisters Of Mercy.

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