Bearded Idea 2025 – Competition Evaluation

Bearded Idea Competition
Catton Corridor, Derbyshire
Twenty second-Twenty fifth Could 2025

Neil Crud and Trev Eales get pleasure from extra bands than you can presumably see at this 12 months’s awarding successful Bearded Idea Competition.

‘Delicate seeds come from delicate flowers, that was the horseshit she fed me for hours.’ The anti-rockstar wordsmith that’s Falco of Newport band Mclusky is on one other stage in the case of put downs, and he may slay you with one sentence from that fast witted mind. On a private stage, Bearded Idea Competition 2025 ticked lots of bins and crammed the odd bucket on my listing too. One being Mclusky, who proved that the world remains to be right here and so are they, as they auto-focused on the prime directive and overwhelmed all these current at The Meadow stage. Lots of people prefer to be smart after the occasion, however this occasion left us each educated, emotionally swamped and wholly entertained. They performed in Leeds the evening earlier than (see overview). 

Bearded Idea is a multi-award successful inventive and performing arts pageant set within the lovely grounds of Catton Park within the coronary heart of the Nationwide Forest. Its capability is round 15,000 and with the outdated adage ‘if it’s not damaged then don’t repair it,’ it’s the excellent pageant. Being viewers led, their programming is operated the identical now as when BT began twelve years in the past. The organisers say: ‘We booked acts off the again of your suggestions, improved our infrastructure in step with suggestions and sourced the distributors and bars off the again of the recommendations of folks that attend.’

We go for the chilled vibe and the eclectic music. This started for me on Thursday with The Meffs, who, regardless of solely being a two-piece, crammed the primary Pallet Stage with their frantic model of protest punk rock. They arise and communicate out towards all the things that’s damaged about Britain.

Tent and dinner duties with my sisters, their lovers and my buddy have been required and we chilled out on the campsite as a household and as buddies, listening to Adwaith on our boom-box speaker. Unbeknownst to us, they have been really taking part in dwell at that second. Having to facet swipe our disappointment, we made our strategy to see the South East London phenomenon that’s Fats Canine. Weirdly brief songs, but so good in its genre-hopping insanity. Sure, it’s all been performed earlier than, however has it been performed this nicely? A medical emergency within the viewers sadly, however fairly rightly, truncated their thrilling set.

The Woodland Stage was the following port of name to see Headsticks play a barbed and spiky set among the many timber. They have been right here rather than The Alarm and you can see and really feel a really robust Alarm affect of their folk-punk. There was a poignant and touching tribute to the dearly departed Mike Peters with a rendition of The place Had been You Hiding When The Storm Broke to complete off the night.

It was very chilly in a single day, and all the web site awakened on Friday morning shivering. We wanted warming up and there was no higher manner than with Dakka Skanks. This younger Brighton band, because the identify suggests, mix dubby ska with an enormous slice of soul and guitars. We notably loved the tune Ain’t No Skinhead. Take a look at their newly launched Reworks EP.

Enjoying their solely pageant of 2025 have been The Vaselines. This quintessential indie band from Glasgow have been made (extra) well-known by Nirvana protecting three of their songs: Son Of A Gun, Molly’s Lips and the superb Jesus Needs Me For A Sunbeam. It’s most positively a monkey I’d be comfortable to have on my again. Love the tune I Hate The 80s, with the hook line, ‘Cos they have been shit.’ Eugene Kelly’s baritone Arab Strap-esq voice compliments the candy tones from Frances McKee.

With the solar bearing down, we sought refuge with Louder Than Warfare’s John Robb who was doing a chat on his Historical past Of Goth ebook. That refuge was brief lived because the tent was jam-packed and warmer than an oven, but it surely didn’t detract the goths because the sharp dressed man delivered an insightful, witty and entertaining speech. John additionally led a transferring tribute to Mike Peters forward of The Alarm listening social gathering, which, I’m informed, acquired understandably emotional. 

The Convoy Cabaret tent is at all times a fantastic port of name and an necessary a part of this actually numerous pageant. We caught Bristol’s Tory culling antagonists The Menstrual Cramps, who have been splitting opinions and skulls with their no-nonsense views. Their new album, We’re Not Ovaryacting has simply been launched on the very good Develop Your Personal Information, reviewed right here on Louder Than Warfare. Then, it was nostalgia field ticking time with Ned’s Atomic Dustbin on the Pallet Stage. Stourbridge’s best got here to the fore within the late Eighties with their Kill Your Tv and Joyful singles, even reaching the giddy heights of the UK album charts with God Fodder. The group lapped it up.

It was time for a chai tea and a slice of cake at Gail’s One thing Else Tea Tent, a mainstay of Bearded Idea, with its left of leftfield [sic] model of leisure. At this time limit, that was supplied by Hagar The Womb, a band launched to many by John Peel. They have been ramshackle, humorous and pleasant to look at. Nice to be taken again to my teenagers with the tune Idolization, and pleasing to know they’re nonetheless hated by the Every day Mail.

With their ninth album, 9, now in circulation, the mighty Dreadzone have been about to impress the lots. Now nearly the home band right here at Catton Corridor, they despatched out good vibes to one and all. After a lot chilling dub music it was time to get lairy with Low cost Soiled Horse again on the One thing Else Tea Tent, a ragtag ensemble full with guitars, banjo and accordion; like a younger Roughneck Riot. And that’s what they did with a mosh pit in progress.

Most likely my sudden spotlight of the day was Audioweb on the Woodland Stage. They didn’t match into their native Madchester scene fairly sufficient to be a part of it, so carved their very own area of interest. It was such an excellent sound, and so pleasing to listen to the criminally neglected Into My World. Actually, vocalist Martin Service provider expressed his disdain over the only stalling at No.41 within the UK charts and the band not getting on Prime Of The Pops. 

It was then a squeeze to get into the Meadow tent with Alice in her social gathering costume and expertise the darkness of Sisters Of Mercy. Andrew Eldritch was lurking across the shadows of the stage like a demonic Nosferatu, blowing the winds chilly and lengthy, to locations the place even goths worry to tread. 

Joyful to not get again to camp simply but, my erstwhile companion, I went on a late evening voyage of discovery and stumbled upon NoGood Boyo steampunking their manner via a wonderful racket on the Maui Waui tent because the rain drizzled outdoors. Our Welsh compadres did us proud and smashed electro-thrash to smithereens, together with a medley-melee of classics performed Boyo fashion. Then it was a fast dip into the Convoy Cabaret tent for the turbocharged My Unhealthy Sister, electrically fascinating choreographed twin-sisters delivering similar strikes and a fuck-you perspective – an effective way to finish a fantastic day.

The Pretty Eggs had lengthy irritated me, and I dunno why. I believe it was in all probability because of Louder Than Warfare’s Phil Newall’s continuous over-enthusiasm of them… The annoyance modified as of early Saturday afternoon, for I’ve gone from full twat to finish convert. Fashioned in Lancaster in 2005, the best couple in rock performed in entrance of the best backdrop of the day earlier than the best crowd on the pageant circuit. Holly Ross, in her sparkly costume, thrashed the residing daylights out of her guitar, whereas Dave Blackwell backed-up with combative drumming. There’s much more layers to The Pretty Eggs than simply sausage roll thumbs.

Being a skint doley from North Wales within the late Eighties meant I missed seeing lots of the bands making waves on the time. Counting on John Peel to offer a gateway, he’s answerable for Drill Your Personal Gap and Stewed To The Gills being in my album assortment, and the explanation I used to be standing with an enormous grin on my face watching Gaye Bykers On Acid. That is V.4 of the Leicester band, one of many founders of Grebo music. Vocalist Mary and bassist Robber (each Ian to their respective moms) are the originals, each greater than ably assisted by their new brothers in arms.

Pete Bentham And The Dinner Girls added some Scouse wit (and new followers) to proceedings on the Convoy Cabaret tent, with their compellingly absorbing and entertaining set. They’re the oddest band round, but nice enjoyable and are plugging a forthcoming album, Artwork, Faith & Chocolate Biscuits out in September on 9×9 Information. I’m wondering if the tune Is There Life In Rhyl can be included? Hope so.

We did a little bit of Bentley Rhythm Ace. Having seen them 1 / 4 of a century in the past, I’m fairly certain they’d two dwell drummers again then; this time they’ve EMF’s James Atkin MC’ing and twiddling issues. Then it was throughout to the One thing Else Tea Tent for some correct balls to the wall punk rock from Contempt and their household favorite, Boris Johnson You Ineffective Cunt. Then a brief stagger to the Woodland stage for a little bit of Rapper’s Delight courtesy of the legendary Sugarhill Gang, earlier than ending the evening with some critical skanking together with Tradition Shock, who sounded vibrant and recent for such a late present, and the very fact they’ve been round endlessly. Take a look at their lockdown album, Mandemic.

My Sunday morning head informed me I had manner an excessive amount of Rosies Cider on the bar final evening, and though my contemporaries requested if I used to be watching Shonen Knife, I wasn’t that bothered. I’m glad they insisted. Having not paid this Japanese guitar band a lot consideration throughout my formative pubescent punk rock years, I really feel I ought to have. Their new LP Our Finest Place was given a plug, and (I assume) they performed their classics too. It was a happy-go-lucky really feel and nicely well worth the hangover. In addition they confirmed up afterward within the guise of Osaka Ramones, taking part in, yeah, you guessed it…

Yesterday, these dodgy trying characters accosted us, pimping their band ANOISE, giving us stickers and earplugs in return for watching them on the Convoy Cabaret on Sunday at 1:30pm. We saved our facet of the discount and have been removed from let down. It was fancy-dress breakbeat nonsense of the bottom order, with a message and a resident mime artist. There was Sicknote cowl (if you realize, you realize) and a tune about Nicolas Cage. Nice enjoyable.
I used to be excited to be taught that Manchester turbogoths Bruise Management had been a late addition to the afternoon’s proceedings over on the Woodland stage. Their model of punk rock units them apart and in addition head and shoulders above their friends (not that this can be a competitors) and has seen them take these energetic performances on tour in Australia. There is a component of sophistication to their songwriting, and taking part in to an viewers of primarily curious non-converted bystanders, Bruise Management didn’t let themselves nor these watching down. It was quick and frantic (regardless of singer JimBob’s current statue climbing-then-falling harm).

Public Service Broadcasting on an enormous out of doors stage in daylight? I didn’t suppose it will work. It bloody did. The money in pocket manner would have been to do that distinctive idea all from a laptop computer and let the visuals take centre stage. There was a component of that (with the visuals in fact being an integral a part of the present), however there was a full band, occasional vocals (like on the brand new single, The South Atlantic), a jaunty brass part and it was all spherical emotionally nice enjoyable.

For my fellow countrymen to shut the Pallet Stage for 2025 was at all times going to be a bit particular. Manic Road Preachers hit the bottom operating with the infectious Decline And Fall earlier than banging out classics outdated and new. Nice to listen to Nicky Wire’s neglected current lead vocal on Hiding In Plain Sight, with a neat acoustic intro of Echo And The Bunnymen’s Convey On The Dancing Horses. The Holy Bible album was neglected (perhaps it’s a Manic pageant coverage?), however there was a fantastic bilingual model of Prepared For Drowning, with James Dean Bradfield laying naked his studying of the Welsh language. This adopted the traditional set nearer A Design For Life, which (for this tour) is at mid-point. That accolade was left for If You Tolerate This Your Kids Will Be Subsequent, a tune title that has lent extra gravity to current instances than the tune content material itself. Watching together with hundreds of others was punk poet Attila The Stockbroker, who had this to say: ‘The Manics aren’t a stadium  band, they’re a fantastic band who acquired so fashionable they need to play stadia; there’s a distinction for me. And the end? They acquired it spot on; when you tolerate this, then your kids can be subsequent.’

The fireworks fizzed and cracked the evening sky because the closing refrain rang out and we left content material {that a} good job had been performed. I had seen much more bands than I may bear in mind (and a pair I’d somewhat overlook), and that’s the great thing about this fantastically eclectic occasion.

Folks have been saying BT25 was the perfect one but… Yeah, they are saying that yearly.

Different Visible Highlights – by photographer Trev Eales

Rock ‘n’ roll / sound and imaginative and prescient: nice dwell performers and performances invariably ship each orally and visually. Some acts enthrall via sheer bodily presence, others ooze charisma. Chameleons like Bowie provide a fashionista’s ever altering wardrobe whereas even the least dynamic artists improve supply with lighting. Trev Eales turns his digital camera on a number of of the extra photogenic performances at Bearded Idea.

So the place to begin? It must be Iggy Pop. I first noticed Iggy in 1979. Naked chested, his torso scared by razorblade slashes. Under the waist, clear trousers leaving nothing to the creativeness. The sounds from that evening pale way back however the visible imagery nonetheless stays.

Forty six years on, Iggy’s greeted by simply the most important crowd of the weekend at Bearded Idea. For 90 minutes we’re handled to a musical and visible masterclass. At 78, Iggy’s nonetheless performing naked chested however his is not any corpulent getting old rocker. His physique remains to be taut however proudly displaying the ravages of deformity and a life over lived. His presence and voice stay undiminished, emitting an aura of uncooked energy as he prowls the stage.

It’s a set heavy on Stooges classics. T.V. Eye, 1970, Search and Destroy, I Wanna Be Your Canine, and others hit us in fast succession. Late 70’s hits, The Passenger and Lust for Life present mid set aid from the brutal onslaught, and he throws in a number of current gems towards the shut.

So simply how good is he? If I see a greater dwell efficiency from anybody this 12 months, it is going to have to be one thing particular.

As for mere mortals gracing phases over the weekend . . .

Nova Twins as at all times, show to be a fantastic watch. Their mix of highly effective rock, punk and dirt’s delivered with palpable on stage chemistry and charisma. They’re taking part in new materials too, from their forthcoming album, Parasites and Butterflies and so they’re simply so photogenic.

Sunday afternoon traces up some “critical” ladies with the sounds of ska and rock bringing social conscience and politics to the world. Pauline Black’s The Selecter roll again the years with some Two Tone classics, whereas Nadine Shah delivers an impressed set. It’s one of many performances of the weekend; arduous hitting lyrics with a tough edged sound,  all delivered with a mischievous sparkle in her eyes.

Yard Act show one other spotlight. Vocalist James Smith has left his go well with and trench coat behind to turn out to be a tussle haired, dishevelled trousered ragamuffin. He’s nonetheless proffering machine gun vocals dripping with social commentary and venom although.

For these seeking one thing extra frivolous, Lottery Winners rejoice their second primary album with an hour of indie pop laced with comedy. Elsewhere, The Sluggish Readers Membership and Antony Szmierek each impress. Billy Nomates and Ezra Furman show to be a lot improved on earlier viewings. Paul Heaton (with Rianne Downey) and The Mary Wallopers ship eye-catching units whereas Polish indie rock act Trupa Trupa show to be a formidable new discovery.

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All pictures by Trev Eales and phrases by Neil Crud (see Neil’s creator’s archive right here).

Neil Crud presents a weekly one hour present on Louder Than Warfare Radio – try his Bearded Idea 2025 Evaluation Present right here.