Bearded Theory have announced an astonishing line-up for 2018, securing a rare festival performance by one of the world’s greatest rock and roll voices, Robert Plant, to headline on Saturday night.
The former Led Zeppelin frontman will be bringing his band The Sensational Space Shifters, who have been selling out venues around the world and will be performing a set full of classic hits and new material.
In 1967, Robert Plant formed a group called the Band of Joy with drummer John Bonham. Soon, Bonham, Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page, and bassist John Paul Jones assembled to become The New Yardbirds, which became Led Zeppelin, the biggest selling rock band of all time. Since the Led Zeppelin era ended, Plant has put his wide-ranging musical fascination to good use on solo albums; with Jimmy Page; and with bands like Priory of Brion and Strange Sensation.
Before recent projects in Nashville with Alison Krauss and Band of Joy, Plant worked alongside Strange Sensation, recording the critically-acclaimed Grammy-nominated albums Dreamland and Mighty Rearranger. From this platform, Sensational Space Shifters developed.
As you would expect from Bearded Theory Festival, joining Robert Plant on the bill is an exceptional and diverse collection of live acts, including Sunday headliner and fellow rock and roll hall of fame reggae legend Jimmy Cliff, Scottish indie heroes The Jesus & Mary Chain, local boy Jake Bugg, Electronic Punk Duo Sleaford Mods and English punk sensations Idles alongside classic festival acts such as Fun Lovin Criminals, The Coral, Sleeper, Dub Pistols, and hundreds more over 9 live stages.
With Louder Than War saying of last year’s event that “Bearded Theory has grown to become one of the finest festivals the UK has to offer”, the pressure was on for 2018. However once again the organisers (and their 100% audience-focused attitude) have most certainly risen to the challenge.
With more than 65% of tickets for this year’s festival already sold, 2018 is looking set to be the festival’s 9th straight sell-out year in a row.
Alongside unquestionably their biggest, boldest and most diverse line-up to date, Bearded Theory will also be providing a huge variety of non-musical entertainment over the weekend.
The biggest new addition is the One Big Showcase stage, a large stage for unsigned bands, which received over 2000 applications for this stage alone. The festival has also added a Theatre Stage and the Kettle End of Universe; a quiet area based around a campfire.
The Woodland will welcome Funhouse Comedy for the first time – they are taking over the stage daily from midnight, providing laughs aplenty well into the early hours, and have confirmed a stunning line up featuring the likes of Tom Wrigglesworth, Scott Bennett, Rob Mullholland, Sean Percival, Susan Murray ,Wes Zaharuk and many more
The Pallet Stage will have a little makeover, we welcome back Maui Waui, Magical Sounds and the Convoy Cabaret. Rogues Hideout (for teenagers) is being made bigger for the evening show, The Ship returns with a different music selection and Something Else Tea Tent will be providing everyone with cake and rebels once again. The Earth Area, the innovative and unique on-site School, and the free Children’s Village will remain as before.
Family camping has also once again been extended with an additional 2 fields secured, to ensure maximum comfort and enjoyment for the many thousands of families who attend the festival every year. This option should be selected at the time of ticket purchase to assist space allocation.
Published on 13 January 2018 by Ben Robinson
