1 It’s the perfect festival season opener three (and a bit) days of music with a choice of stages and two new ones for 2016, plus the infamous dance tent. And there’s plenty more going on besides. Tickets are only just over £100 and Bearded Theory festival is, as usual, on the way to selling out, so don’t wait too long.
2 Magical Sounds Dance Tent Bearded Theory just happens to have the maddest, most awe-inspiring dance tent ever, presenting a genre-defying mix of artists and DJs. Dance to its gorgeous mix of swirly global trancey sounds. Admire its tasteful Christmas decorations. Wait in anticipation for the giant puppets.
3 There’s a children’s area loaded with activities, but Bearded Theory’s piece de resistance is the free OFSTED-approved school for 5–16 year-olds, which means no guilt for taking your kids out of their usual academy of learning. So, everyone gets what they need. Parents = bands, beer, dancing. Kids = school.
4 Fancy dress: the Pirate theme of 2015 resulted in many a feisty, sexy buccaneer with seafaring swagger. For 2016 the theme is Stars in their Eyes... the perfect opportunity to reincarnate yourself as your favourite icon, past or present. I better get practicing my Siouxsie Sioux eyebrows. And for 2018, who knows what the team are dreaming up.
5 Beards Don’t expect Brownie points for your hipster faux-lumberjack fluff. Bearded Theory beards are of the proudly fake variety (flipflops, Lego, a duck…? see pic below), so women can partake equally of the hirsute facial finery. Yes, Bearded Theory believes in gender equality.
6 Celeb fancy dress picker The bum-bagged Mr Motivator was judge for 2016, where he judged the fancy dress contest, hosting a Sunday morning workout and reminding us of our ever-expanding waistlines. In 2015 Mr Lego was deservedly crowned as winner. John Robb did the honours in 2017.
7 The Woodland got a well-deserved thumbs up from the BT revellers, and the eye-catching Woodland Stage itself is a thing of beauty, carved from oak. The area is a shaded sylvan respite from main-arena action, with its own bar. A musical highlight for 2016 is Turin Brakes who are on tour, and will be dropping in to showcase their new album Lost Property.
8 Music, lots of it - this year the headliners are… Adele! and Coldplay!!
Not really. Bearded Theory festival has a far more eclectic lineup… Cornwall-based folkies 3 Daft Monkeys who have been involved with BT from the start. Plus plenty more goodies for your entertainment.