44-662: Bearded Theory's Spring Gathering , also known as Bearded Theory , is an independent music festival which has no sponsorship or branding that takes place every May on the South Derbyshire, West Midland and Staffordshire border in the National Forest in Britain. The festival is organised by Bearded Theory and was first held in 2008. The festival has nine stages which are the large supernova type Main Stage (similar to
88-495: A 5-year contract to remain at Catton Hall and implemented substantial land improvements including access roads, installing a permanent water supply and drainage. Bands that appeared included The Mission , James , Afro Celt Sound System , Lab 4, Cara Dillon , Neville Staple , Alabama 3 , Gun , Hugh Cornwell , British Sea Power , Buzzcocks , Misty in Roots and The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican . The festival sold out and
132-459: A Lifetime . He also appeared in Gutted – A Revengers Musical that debuted at the 2010 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. EMI released Anytime Anyplace Anywhere , a "best of" record featuring tracks from the band's birth until their switch to Cooking Vinyl. This reportedly annoyed the band as they were not consulted or even made aware of the release of the record. In 2004 two new Carter CDs were released:
176-720: A capacity of about 275,000 spectators, but has " fallow years " roughly every five years, so it is the biggest non-annual greenfield festival in the world. The oldest annual dedicated pop music festival in the world is Pinkpop Festival in the Netherlands , though in other genres, there are much older ones: the Three Choirs Festival in the UK has run annually since 1719. The Queensland Music Festival, established in 1999 and headquartered in Brisbane Australia,
220-730: A distinctive style of power pop, fusing samples , sequenced basses and drum machines with rock 'n' roll guitars and off-beat wordplay-loaded lyrics. They reached the height of their fame in 1992. Over the following years the band took on new members, reaching a six-piece, but struggled to regain their earlier popularity. They initially split up in 1998 after releasing seven albums. Based in Lambeth in South London , England, Carter and Morrison originally played in an indie band called Jamie Wednesday , which released two singles – "Vote For Love" and "We Three Kings of Orient Aren't". Carter
264-410: A form of seasonal, cultural festivity, structured around a schedule of music performances, or concerts. Music festivals generally feature regular and extensive programming, than more spontaneous or improvised forms of music festivity. In traditional genres such as folk and classical music, a music festival can be defined as a community event , with performances of singing and instrument playing, that
308-436: A live album of BBC concerts from the early 1990s, and Brixton Mortars , a compilation album of tracks from their final two studio albums. In 2006, Carter released a new compilation of unreleased tracks and rarities called The Good, The Bad, The Average And Unique . Echoing the earlier Starry Eyed And Bollock Naked , the sleeve features a Volkswagen Beetle – this time a bright green new model convertible. Autumn 2007 saw
352-451: A manifestation for creating escapism and a seasonal cultural economy to experience ritually and collectively. Another type of music festival is the music education , often organized annually in local communities, regionally, or nationally, for the benefit of amateur musicians of all ages and grades of achievement. Entrants perform prepared pieces or songs in front of an audience which includes competitors, family and friends, and members of
396-551: A month in advance and received various good reviews from Festivals for All, BBC 6 Music, Radio 2, Efestivals, Gourmet Gigs, Louder than War Magazine, The Guardian, The Independent and Festival Kidz. Bearded Theory has won 7 awards. 2016 UK's Best Family Festival, 2014 Promoter of the Year at the UK Festival Awards and Silver Award Festival Kidz Awards, 2013 UK's Best Small Festival at the UK Festival Awards and Gold Award at
440-428: A regular weekly show between 2001 and 2011. James Morrison's projects included the band Jim's Super Stereoworld before moving on to solo albums including Angelstrike! He has also written four books: Goodnight, Jim Bob , detailing his experiences on the road with Carter USM; and three novels – Storage Stories , Driving Jarvis Ham , The Extra Ordinary Life of Frank Derrick, Age 81 , and Frank Derrick's Holiday of
484-529: A set each, after which the pair combined to perform a number of Carter USM songs. On 4 March 2007, almost ten years after the band last performed, Carter USM's original two-man line-up played a set of four songs as part of a gig to celebrate the life of Darren 'Wiz' Brown , former frontman of the Mega City Four , who had died in December 2006. The band had been booked to play acoustically but surprised
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#1732801275101528-550: A specific charitable cause . At music festivals associated with charitable causes, there may be information about social or political issues . The Pythian Games at Delphi included musical performances, and may be one of the earliest festivals known. During the Middle Ages , festivals were often held as competitions. The music festival emerged in England in the 18th century, as an extension of urban concert life into
572-426: A two-CD anthology, You Fat Bastard , compiled by Jim Bob and Fruitbat. The songs were digitally remastered at Abbey Road studios. This was released in conjunction with the majority of their back catalogue (albums and promo videos) being made available digitally for the first time by EMI. On 6 February 2008, Jim Bob and Fruitbat hinted at the possibility of further Carter USM gigs when they sent an email to members of
616-414: A unique image for it and attracting visitors. For example, Lollapalooza, Electric Daisy Carnival Las Vegas, Ultra Music Festival, Electric Forest, and others. While contemporary festivals are often represented as flourishing grounds for extraordinary experiences, they increasingly serve as a way to create cultural identity, lifestyle, community, belonging and self-actualisation. Furthermore, festivals are
660-403: Is often presented with a theme such as a music genre (e.g., blues, folk, jazz, classical music), nationality , locality of musicians, or holiday . Music festivals have developed as an industry which contributes to national economies. For example, Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival earned $ 115 million in 2017. Music festivals can be a way of building a brand for a destination, creating
704-572: Is that participants can learn from one another rather than compete. Such festivals aim to provide a friendly and supportive platform for musicians to share in the excitement of making music. For many, they provide a bridge from lessons and examinations to performing confidently in public; for a few of the top performers, they provide a pathway to further professional study of music in a college, university or conservatory. Milwaukee , Wisconsin 's 11-day event, Summerfest , promotes itself as "The World's Largest Music Festival." Operating annually since 1968,
748-602: Is the largest music festival by land mass, as a state-wide music biennial music festival, over a three-week period during July. Lists of music festivals in: Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine (also known as Carter USM or simply Carter ) were an English indie rock band formed in 1987 by singer Jim "Jim Bob" Morrison and guitarist Les " Fruitbat " Carter. They made their name with
792-631: The UK Albums Chart , propelling the band to pop stardom. Also, in 1992, the band headlined the Glastonbury Festival where Fruitbat , annoyed at the shortening of their headline set due to other bands overrunning insulted Michael Eavis and was subsequently banned from the festival forever. The band was unhappy, however, and this came across in the anger and cynicism of their next record, Post Historic Monsters . In 1994, Carter's friend Wez, from former support band Resque, joined
836-473: The "Back in Bed With Carter" DVD that contained the whole concert, along with an interview and rehearsal footage. Support at The Barrowlands came from The Frank and Walters and Chris T-T . The reunion celebrated twenty years since the band's foundation and ten years since their split. The gigs were performed as the original two-piece of Fruitbat and Jim Bob. To coincide with the reunion EMI released
880-771: The 30 acres available, and by 2011, a new site had to be found. The organisers arranged with the National Trust for the festival to be held at Kedleston Park within Kedleston Hall in Derby , an 80-acre parkland. In 2011 Bearded Theory won UK's Best Independent Festival at the AIM Music Awards. By 2012 the crowd of festival goers had grown, by now over 600 acts had played at the festival, including King Blues , The Wonder Stuff , New Model Army , The Waterboys , Athlete , The Orb , Wheatus , Adam Ant and
924-680: The Damned . During 2012 the organizers spent time delivering stage safety seminars to European events industry at Primavera Sound in Barcelona and various industry conferences in London following the successful implementation of a comprehensive stage safety policy at the festival. The 2013 line-up included, with The Levellers , Reverend & Makers, Asian Dub Foundation , New Model Army, A Guy Called Gerald , The Farm, Maroon Town, The Destroyers, The Jive Aces and Gallon Drunk across six stages. There
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#1732801275101968-643: The Festival Kidz Awards. In 2011 UK's Best Independent Festival at the AIM Awards. Music festival A music festival is a community event with performances of singing and instrument playing that is often presented with a theme such as musical genre (e.g., rock , blues , folk , jazz , classical music ), nationality , locality of musicians, or holiday . Music festivals are generally organized by individuals or organizations within networks of music production, typically music scenes,
1012-714: The Junkyard Dogs. In 2009, the festival was held at 30-acre Bradley Nook Farm in Hulland Ward . The new look festival hosted 4 stages; the Main Stage, Campfire Stage (the stage structure was used in 2015 as the Woodland Stage), the introduction of the Magical Sounds, a large dance big top and remains a key part of the festival and a reggae sound system. During the festival a tornado tore through
1056-610: The Park or Other Stage at Glastonbury), The Pallet, The Woodland, Magical Sounds, Showcase Stage (introducing stage) The Maui Waui Stage, The Ship, Convoy Cabaret, Something Else Stage, Rogues Hideout and the festival also hosts a Cinema, Craft Village, Healing Area, smaller DJ venues, several public real ale bars, several cocktail or gin bars, Festival School, Children's Village and a Victorian Funfair. The festival has several campsites and campervan fields, multiple arena areas and are all spread over 250 acres at Catton Park. On 20 March 2020, it
1100-520: The Unstoppable Sex Machine was formed on Thursday 6 August 1987, when Carter and Morrison were the only band members to turn up for a charity gig at the London Astoria , and went on stage to perform as a duo with backing tapes. The debut single "A Sheltered Life" was released later in 1988 on the Big Cat label , but it was not until the second single " Sheriff Fatman " was released in 1989 that
1144-405: The audience by playing a traditional electric set at the last moment. Due to the success of this performance, Carter reunited for two 'farewell' gigs later that year. The first show took place on 2 November 2007 at London's Brixton Academy with support from The Sultans of Ping . Another concert was later arranged, which took place at Glasgow Barrowlands on 20 October 2007. This was recorded for
1188-431: The band S*M*A*S*H on bass, Wez's brother Steve on guitar, and teenager Ben Lambert on keyboards , Carter became a six-piece band. After signing to Cooking Vinyl they released a mini-album, A World Without Dave , and started their longest ever UK tour. The band then went back to Canada and the U.S. They decided to split shortly after their 10th anniversary, and their final studio album, I Blame The Government ,
1232-494: The band began to receive recognition. The song was followed by the album 101 Damnations – a critical account of life south of the River Thames , full of black humour, cynicism, wordplay and puns. The album reached number 29 on the UK Albums Chart . The band's gigs became well known for a wall of white stage lights that threw off enormous heat and contributed to the sweaty, stage-diving crowd scenes that became part of
1276-539: The band on drums and the newly inspired trio played America, Japan and Europe, including a major concert in Croatia which was recorded and later released on video. The recording was also given away as a free live album with Carter's fifth studio LP, Worry Bomb – a punk-pop album with upbeat material such as "Let's Get Tattoos" and slow acoustic songs such as "My Defeatist Attitude". In 1996, Carter left Chrysalis Records and joined Cooking Vinyl . With Salv from
1320-469: The band's image. Such scenes are depicted in the video In Bed With Carter , filmed at the Brixton Academy . In 1991 – having signed to Rough Trade Records – Carter USM released the album 30 Something which, thanks to non-stop touring, entered the UK Albums Chart at number eight. One of the singles released from the album, "Bloodsport for All", an attack on racism and bullying in the army,
1364-735: The band's mailing list. Two dates were then announced for Birmingham Academy and Brixton Academy for 21 and 22 November 2008. Support came from EMF at both gigs. Two further sell out gigs followed in London in November 2009, titled " The Drum Machine Years ". Further concerts followed in November 2011, with the band playing Manchester Academy on Friday 18 November and London O2 Academy Brixton on Saturday 19 November. In February 2012, more reunion concerts were announced, in Leeds O2 Academy on 9 November and London O2 Academy Brixton on Saturday 10 November. EMI also announced re-mastered versions of
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1408-522: The community, along with one or more adjudicators or judges. These adjudicators, who may be music teachers, professors, or professional performers, provide verbal and written feedback to each performer or group. The adjudicator may be someone whom they might never meet in any other way, as is the case when an adjudicator from another city is brought in to judge. They also usually receive a certificate, classified according to merit or ranking, and some may win trophies or even scholarships. The most important aspect
1452-686: The festival attracts between 800,000 and 1,000,000 people each year, and hosts over 800 musical acts. The Woodstock Festival in 1969 drew nearly 500,000 attendees, and the Polish spin-off Przystanek Woodstock in 2014 drew 750,000 thus becoming the largest open air annual festival in Europe and the second largest in the world. In comparison, the Roskilde Festival in Denmark, attracts about 135,000 spectators each year. Glastonbury Festival has
1496-467: The festival site, uprooting stalls, tents, and the Main stage and also did damage to the second stage. The situation put the festival in the news headlines. The organisers continued the festival and an alternative stage was erected in the bar and the festival continued, with music from Goldblade , The Saw Doctors and Hawkwind , and others. The 2010 festival was substantially larger, selling out and filling
1540-487: The music industries, or institutions of music education. Music festivals are commonly held outdoors, with tents or roofed temporary stages for the performers. Often music festivals host other attractions such as food and merchandise vending, dance, crafts, performance art , and social or cultural activities. Many festivals are annual, or repeat at some other interval, while some are held only once. Some festivals are organized as for-profit concerts and others are benefits for
1584-529: The organizers had looked at before deciding to locate to Kedleston Hall. Bearded Theory attracted a capacity crowd. Performing bands included Carter USM , UB40 , Stranglers , Peter Hook , Wonderstuff , Pop Will Eat Itself , Reverend & the Makers . The festival's organizers won the Promoter of the Year award at the UK Festival Awards for their industry work with stage safety. In 2015 the festival agreed to
1628-477: The release of a band-authorised best of compilation album spanning their entire career on EMI, under the title, You Fat Bastard . The title came from a chant performed by the crowd at gigs. It originated from MC (and lighting man) Jon "Fat" Beast's topless on-stage band introductions. Jon "Fat" Beast died on 27 July 2014. In 2001 and 2002, Jim Bob and Fruitbat toured as Who's The Daddy Now? The pair's two bands, Jim's Super Stereoworld and Abdoujaparov, would play
1672-563: The use of the lyrics "Goodbye Ruby Tuesday " in the chorus. The band also hit the headlines when Fruitbat rugby tackled the children's TV presenter Phillip Schofield in front of millions of television viewers at the Smash Hits Poll Winners Party in 1991. The demise of Rough Trade records necessitated a change of label, and Carter made the switch to Chrysalis Records to work on their third album. That album, 1992 – The Love Album , went straight to number one in
1716-697: Was a festival first. In 2016 the festival sold out and produced a universally well received festival. The festival went onto win Best Family Festival at the UK Festival Awards and gig of the year for the performance by Wilko Johnson in Stand Out Magazine. Bands who performed included Killing Joke, Squeeze, Jack Savoretti, Levellers, The Jam, Black Uhuru and Stiff Little Fingers. 2017 featured over 150 bands and DJ's with Madness, Skunk Anansie, The Fall, Seasick Steve, Vintage Trouble, CJ Bolland, Foy Vance, Sugarhill Gang. The festival sold out
1760-535: Was also an "Unsigned Bands Contest". Bearded Theory won Best Small Festival at the UK Festival Awards . In 2014, the festival had to move once again after citing issues with landowner the National Trust following draconian measures being implemented and lack of contractual security. The festival decided to locate to the independently owned 250-acre estate Catton Park in South Derbyshire, a venue
1804-690: Was announced that due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the 2020 Spring Festival would be postponed to 10–13 September. Bearded Theory began life at the Knockerdown Public House, near Carsington Water in 2008. Held over two nights and it overloaded the capacity of the venue. Opening with two acoustic acts (one of whom was also the festival compere known as 'Freedom') the first full band to play the festival were Nottingham rock band Felicity Kicks. Other bands to play included 3 Daft Monkeys , Dreadzone , Tarantism & Hobo Jones &
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1848-491: Was cited as the organizers best festival to date. The festival made history when they announced the plans to operate an onsite school on the Friday of the festival. The school met key learning criteria at each age level and classes included Science, Home Economics, Math's, English, History and lots more. The P.E classes were operated by Derby County FC. The school assisted parents taking children out of school without being fined and
1892-856: Was released at the start of the Gulf War and consequently banned by the BBC . Spurred on by infamy, Jim Bob and Fruitbat toured Japan , Yugoslavia and the United States (with EMF ) and made a second-on-the-bill appearance at the Reading Festival . The band also made its first Top of the Pops appearance with the single "After the Watershed (Early Learning The Hard Way)", a song about child abuse that would become more famous for its subsequent legal battle with The Rolling Stones ' publisher over
1936-656: Was released in January 1998. Two further albums, Live! and BBC Sessions , were released in the same year, in June and October respectively. Les Carter currently lives in Folkestone and plays with the band Abdoujaparov and was announced on 27 November 2014 as the new guitarist for Ferocious Dog . He plays bass with Keith TOTP . He is also a former presenter on the Brentwood radio station Phoenix FM , having presented
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