Bearded Theory 2023

[Gnomicide]

8 hours ago, shoptildrop said:

Well I bought myself a super early bird ticket for this, as I missed this year due to my partner being ill and unfortunately he died in July shortly after his 50 birthday 😞 

I miss Andy everyday and was in 2 minds whether to go as we loved going to festivals together (we had so much fun), so its going to be hard going without him but I know he wouldn't want me to miss out on something I loved doing... so I'm back on the festival bandwagon and joining another group of friends who are going

Glad the BYO beer policy is still there, capacity increase to 15k like this year not so much but I'll live as this for me is more about moving forward doing something I love if a different way now that my Andy has gone 😞 

 

Sorry to hear this. My best mate recent passed away, we'd done quite a few Beardeds together, he missed this year because of his illness but we hoped he'd be back in 2023, sadly that won't be so.

Being back without him will be tough, not as tough as you without your partner but I'm sure both of them would want us to continue to have fun at places that hold so many fond memories. 

[Paul ™]

Posted this elsewhere but C&P here too -

People are mentioning why such an increase in costs, here are a few points to note.

Prices last festival (2022) were set in 2019 for what should have been the 2020 festival, tickets rolled over for the majority.

Prices have increased due to -

2 years of cancellation costs to absorb
Average yearly increase would have been around ~£8-£10 per year over the 3 years on face value of tickets (See costs below)
Huge increase in fuel costs over the last 12 months
No longer able to use red diesel on site for generators/plant
Infrastructure costs for things like generators, cabins, trackway etc have increased over 30%, some have doubled, a few have tripled.
Staffing costs have increased - personally I increased the rate I charge by around 25% to cover my increased costs.
The festival is now run for profit owned by DHP and not volunteers who gave their time for free.

Yes, it's increased a lot, infact doubled in ticket cost in 10 years, especially the live in vehicle passes. And so have pretty much all festivals to be fair.
But on par if not below similar size/style festivals and its 4 days of entertainment and decent size acts for that money still.

My only bug bear about the pricing is the extra additional option to add 'hook up' charges for live in vehicles £192... not necessary IMO

2014 - £87
2015 - £87
2016 - £97
2017 - £105
2018 - £115
2019 - £122.50
2020 - £130 CANCELLED
2021 - £130 CANCELLED
2022 - £130 
2023 - £175

Now, my own thoughts on the current situation -

Having been involved in BT from the first one at Knockerdown, and being a contractor since the first one in Catton in 2014, I know the original team well enough to know that it was either this situation it's in now, or no BT. 

Also working in the event industry for 30+ years, I know how hard it is now to balance the books to cover the increased costs not just for infrastructure, but for increased security, H&S, licencing, legal advice, staffing etc

Whilst am still not sure if I will be at Bearded next year, I do believe that DHP should be given the opportunity to prove that they can run this event the same way it's been since the beginning.

However, they need to be clear about what they are actually putting on, such as what stages will be there ie Magical Sounds, Maui Waui etc
What their plan is for the future?
They need to be communicating better than they are currently, not just about ticket sales and where to get them!

I'd like them to set out what they want from this festival, ask the punters what they like/don't like, listen to feedback from the old crew who have already said they sadly won't be back.

Know your audience, and as equally important is let your audience know you... don't just hide behind the 'Bearded Theory' name, everyone knew the old team by name.. Rich, Steve, Sally, Scouse, Jay etc... introduce yourselves and listen to people what made this festival what it is.

Sorry for the long post, it's a festival close to my heart and I don't want to see it change beyond recognition, and it's started to go that way already!

Peace x

[Nobody Interesting]

9 hours ago, Paul ™ said:

it's a festival close to my heart and I don't want to see it change beyond recognition, and it's started to go that way already!

Peace x

Wise words - but I select the last little bit as that is how so many people feel and I am not sure that DHP really get it (I hope to be proven wrong) and certainly all too many people on social media do not get it and instead choose to insult those that do.

[spudthemariner]

4 hours ago, Nobody Interesting said:

Wise words - but I select the last little bit as that is how so many people feel and I am not sure that DHP really get it (I hope to be proven wrong) and certainly all too many people on social media do not get it and instead choose to insult those that do.

Aye, that's been really disappointing, but hey, 'social' media eh? 🙄

I have no issue with the general ticket prices, although I can get how those with vans are a bit pissed off. And those charges, when you own both the festival and the ticket agency are beyond cheeky....

Unless its a stunning line-up, we've pretty much decided to give it a miss this year. Not traveling down from Scotland (with all the extra associated costs) for a festival that 'may' have lost its heart and soul. Shame, as we've going on and off since the tornado year. Things change and it is what it is I guess....hey ho!

[Flaminglippy]

Pixies playing some UK dates next year to promote their new album...

...just saying.

[Nobody Interesting]

38 minutes ago, Flaminglippy said:

Pixies playing some UK dates next year to promote their new album...

...just saying.

and the first of their videos was some shrooms........ or likely toadstools and Pixies sit on toadstools.

[incident]

1 hour ago, Flaminglippy said:

Pixies playing some UK dates next year to promote their new album...

...just saying.

Several years ago, I think it was probably about 2017/18 or so, Rich (ie the previous management) did say that they'd looked into booking Pixies, but they were well out of the price range.

Granted, a huge amount has changed since then both with the Festival and the band, so it may be different now.

[Paul ™]

Good news that Magical Sounds and Convoy Cabaret both back next year 🙂

[justanotheronethen]

14 hours ago, Paul ™ said:

Good news that Magical Sounds and Convoy Cabaret both back next year 🙂

My two favourite places at this lovely festival - I'm very very happy they will be there 👍

[Gnomicide]

A few of these would be welcome.

[Flaminglippy]

More than anything else I am hoping the crowd it attracts this year is similar to previous years, as a few people have pointed out does seem to be a fair few mouthy 'if you don't like it dont get a ticket' dickheads holding forth on social media. 

Be good to get a hint of the line up soon as well. 

Edited November 1, 2022 by Flaminglippy

[Flaminglippy]

Anybody know if there is any substance behind the rumour the Woodland Stage is going? Appreciate there were issues this year but that seems like a massive mistake if its true. Thought the big tent that they announced was going to be in addition to the woodland not instead of (again, if its true)

[dotdash79]

They say all the existing stages are staying and the big top is being added. 

[Karlhippy]

This year my friends and I are waiting to see the first line-up announcement before deciding to get tickets.

Never worried about it before in previous years.

Might need to find a smaller, good vibe festival again...

 

 

[Rumblestripe]

23 hours ago, Karlhippy said:

This year my friends and I are waiting to see the first line-up announcement before deciding to get tickets.

Yeah same, l really enjoyed last year (first time) but slightly worried about the change of organiser and perhaps a push to make money at the expense of the feel of the festival. Depending on lineups (assuming I fail to get Glasto tix) I would look to this Beautiful Days, EOTR or Green Man for my "largeish" festival fix. I have already booked a small local festival (Northern Kin) for early in the year.

[Nobody Interesting]

On 11/3/2022 at 11:29 AM, Karlhippy said:

This year my friends and I are waiting to see the first line-up announcement before deciding to get tickets.

Never worried about it before in previous years.

Might need to find a smaller, good vibe festival again...

 

 

Maybe there will be something Rising that might take your fancy..................

[Karlhippy]

50 minutes ago, Nobody Interesting said:

Maybe there will be something Rising that might take your fancy..................

anything you recommend ?

[Nobody Interesting]

16 minutes ago, Karlhippy said:

anything you recommend ?

Watch this space........ something 'Rising' perhaps?

More I cannot say yet but perhaps look at keeping the 28th to 30th July 2023 free as those dates may be of great interest to Bearded folks.

[Flaminglippy]

3 hours ago, Nobody Interesting said:

Maybe there will be something Rising that might take your fancy..................

Well it aint the bleedin' mortgage rates because they are putting a right dampner on me plans for next year! 

Interesting...

[Paul ™]

3 hours ago, Nobody Interesting said:

Watch this space........ something 'Rising' perhaps?

More I cannot say yet but perhaps look at keeping the 28th to 30th July 2023 free as those dates may be of great interest to Bearded folks.

👀

[Gnomicide]

There does seem to be an awful lot of pearl clutching going on in the Bearded Chat Facebook group (I know, I know) but nothing the new organisers have said or done so far has me concerned. 

[kingbadger]

6 hours ago, Gnomicide said:

There does seem to be an awful lot of pearl clutching going on in the Bearded Chat Facebook group (I know, I know) but nothing the new organisers have said or done so far has me concerned. 

This year was my first Bearded and the atmosphere and spirit of the festival was (to me anyway) exactly as people described on here previously. 

[Gnomicide]

1 hour ago, kingbadger said:

This year was my first Bearded and the atmosphere and spirit of the festival was (to me anyway) exactly as people described on here previously. 

Yep, and yes there was the queuing for Woodland but the acts were definitely bigger this year, people who would have headlined previously were subs. With the addition of a new big top next year,  I'm confident the issue will go away.

[kingbadger]

7 hours ago, Gnomicide said:

Yep, and yes there was the queuing for Woodland but the acts were definitely bigger this year, people who would have headlined previously were subs. With the addition of a new big top next year,  I'm confident the issue will go away.

Couldn't believe how small the Woodland stage was given the acts that were on the bill there

[Popsider75]

I would have to count back but thinking I have done about 7 BT's now and always really loved it.

This year was the only year I have failed to get into the Woodland to watch a couple of bands and this was due to people queuing for acts much later in the day. 

Great to see the likes of Vocation running a bar 

I bought tickets on the day of release completely oblivious of any change in ownership until just read it on here.

I guess it'll just be a case of see how it goes this year. I agree with prior posters there is little to change as it's a super medium sized festival and much nearer home for me than BD's which I also love but not been to the last couple.

The BT line up has always been exceptional for the money. Worth it for Patti Smith and Flaming Lips alone last year. 

I'll judge the new gaffers after next May and try not to pre judge.