Garbage, CMAT, Kate Nash and more revealed in Bearded Theory's second announcement - current line-up
2026’s new additions also include an iconic UK punk band, a Mercury-award winner and Scottish indie-rockers.
- Garbage, CMAT and Kate Nash are among the latest names set to perform at Bearded Theory 2026.
- They are joined by The Damned, Badly Drawn Boy, Kae Tempest and many, many more.
- Here’s the current list of acts performing next year, and how you can get tickets at your earliest convenience.
Bearded Theory, taking place at Catton Park in Derbyshire from May 20 to 24 next year, has just announced their second wave of acts set to join the likes of Pixies, Skunk Anansie and more revealed from their first announcement.
The latest names joining next year’s award-winning festival include Garbage, led by the charismatic Shirley Manson. The band brings their signature, highly influential sound—a unique blend of grunge, electronic textures, and cinematic alt-rock. Their appearance supports their recent eighth studio album, Let All That We Imagine Be The Light (released May 2025), which Manson describes as a shift toward optimism, creativity, and finding humanity amidst global chaos.
Meanwhile, the Irish country-pop sensation is riding the success of her acclaimed new album, EURO-COUNTRY (released late 2025), which infuses her witty songwriting with huge, irresistible pop hooks. CMAT is celebrated for her unfiltered humour, brilliant storytelling, and stage persona as the "Girlboss of the Very Sexy CMAT Band,” and her ascent to major festival stages follows her biggest-ever headline run (the Euro-Country Tour) and widespread critical recognition, proving she is one of the most exciting and unique live acts in music today.
Kate Nash will also showcase her evolution from the platinum-selling, era-defining pop of Made of Bricks ('Foundations') to her current sound, which embraces theatricality and punk-tinged pop. Known for her cheeky wit and powerful, feminist themes, her set is a blend of nostalgic pop hits and her bold, cinematic new material.
hey join pioneering British punks The Damned, Mercury-Prize winner Badly Drawn Boy, the iconic Kae Tempest, Scottish indie-rockers Idlewild, and dancefloor fillers EMF, alongside Peter Hook and The Light, Goldie, and comedian Stewart Lee, for what promises to be one of the most eclectic and independent festivals of the summer.
Bearded Theory 2026 - current line-up
- Pixies
- Garbage
- Skunk Anansie
- CMAT
- The Damned
- Kae Tempest
- Badly Drawn Boy
- Bad Nerves
- Big Special
- Fat Dog
- Ferocious Dog
- Getdown Services
- Idlewild
- Kate Nash
- Kid Kapichi
- Lambrini Girls
- NewDad
- Panic Shack
- Peter Hook and the Light
- Reverend and the Makers
- Sprints
- A Certain Ratio
- Adult DVD
- Au Pairs
- Beans on Toast
- Bez
- Chalk
- Dub Pistols (DJ Set)
- EMF
- GANS
- Girl Scout
- Goldie
- Good Health Good Wealth
- Graeme Park
- Heartworms
- Henge
- jasmine.4.t
- Kezia Gill
- King Prawn
- Leeroy Thornhill (ex Prodigy)
- Neville Staple - From The Specials
- Phil Hartnoll (Orbital DJ set)
- Pop Will Eat Itself
- Senser
- Stewart Lee
- The Magic Numbers
- The Molotovs
- The Sabres of Paradise
- The Unthank
- The Wedding Present
- Toots and the Maytals feat Leba Hibbert
- Utah Saints
- Venus Grrrls
- Westside Cowboy
- 3 Daft Monkeys
- Amelia Coburn
- An Dannsa Dub
- Andrea Kenny
- Bloodworm
- Cara Means Friend
- Chris Hawkins BBC 6 Music DJ Set
- DJ Rap
- Drum Machine
- Grandmas House
- Jess Silk
- Jools
- La Sécurité
- LIINES
- Meatdripper
- Meryl Streek
- Miki Berenyi Trio
- Muddy Summers and the DFWs
- Native James
- She's In Parties
- Slay Duggee
- Split Dogs
- Taylor More Swiftly
- Teke::Teke
- The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican
- The League of Rebelz
- The Nightingales and Ted Chippington
- The Pale White
- thistle.
When are tickets to Bearded Theory 2026 on sale?
Tickets to next year’s Bearded Theory are currently on sale through the festival’s website.
The festival offers a Payment Plan option, allowing you to spread the cost of your purchase into more manageable monthly instalments right up until the month of the festival (May 2026).
The earlier you purchase, the lower your monthly payments will be. For example, an adult weekend ticket can cost around £42.50 per month on the payment plan (based on the 4th Release face value of £255.00)
Looking for what other festivals are taking place in 2026? Check out our ongoing guide to next year’s UK festival season, including dates, locations and current line-ups announced.