Unforgettable Moments from the I'm Not From London Busking Takeover at Bearded Theory

The Bearded Theory Festival is known for its diverse lineup and unique experiences, but this year’s I'm Not From London busking takeover added an extra layer of magic.

The best weekend started last Wednesday running the acoustic stage: a collaboration between I'm Not From London & Acoustic Rooms. 

Amazing performance from all the acts and a special shout out to the bluegrass country finger picking sounds of Sticky Bones Jones for lending his amp and helping ensure the sublime Emily Ashberry played her incredible with some compering and out-tros from Warren and Jimi Strange who was a solid addition with his range and generally positive attitude with the help of Warren Ireland and Joe who make up his jaunty yet skilled guitar duo Musical Fruit who ended their set with a Jack Black’s ‘Tribute’ with the crowd all joining in.

Mollie Jessica aka Mollie Ralph showing once again how versatile her voice can be, with pop ballads landing in some sweet spot between soul and folk.. Her voice seems so much stronger with a wail to boot when required!

All the acts we’re so supportive of each other with everyone sticking around and even coming back for each others sets and there was a real community feel to everything for the weekend, something I completely love to see! 

Jess Breame Music had a good crowd that stood through the rain to see her , everyone seemed to be getting into the spirit of country and folk which was reflected in the lineup with Kezia Gill who once played for us (many many moons ago) and was playing the Woodland stage. Event Cmat had everyone all line dancing  for her set. Jess has been gaining more and more followers in the past year and you can definitley hear how professionally she’s developed as a singer/songwriter!

Sarah & Will Jeffery of The Grumbler and The Grouse put on another spellbinding show with songs that somehow show how much love they have for each other with their musicality, whit and whimsy never sounding saccharine just being mutually appreciative and making the songs more real relatable and real. Big thanks for the lift up too folks!

The rain had got a little bad towards the end and Chai’s band , Sun and Moon and I were sitting in Big Ed’s little brother’s canopy like head wondering how we were gonna set up their set up which while it needed no power, ran on battery amps, with electric guitars, digital pedal boards and its own portable desk. As we pondered how to gather enough umbrellas to make this happen we realised the solution was completely above us. We were standing in what became the headlining stage…

Nottingham being three steps away from someone you know at all times, it turns out that Pearce the set designer of Big and Small Ed (the massive wicker head structures that become the dancing totems at Bearded theory) a friend of Gritz the guitarist, a quick check with health and safety meant we had a fully working thatched roof custom-made stage to play in as the Moon shone brightly for Sun and Moons set with deep purple neon provided by Pearce and his team!

The rest of the weekend was spent dancing , watching bands and having fun with family and friends, this was helped by my son Vincent attending the trailblazing Offsted registered festival school on Friday....

'After the teacher explained the plan for the day, we worked in different groups. We did Maths and English mixed together making a board game out of coordinates, followed by an art lesson where we made a paper lantern. We had packed lunch bags given to us before we registered. My choice was a ham sandwich, a rocky Road chocolate and an apple juice, water and cheese and onion crisps and a Satsuma.

In the afternoon I chose to do a Hawaian dance class and music class where the teachers taught me to play the Ukelele. I made up the lyrics and played the tune we learned. Everyone in the class was fun, the teachers  were friendly and happy. They would check our work and I was nervous to begin with but it was a lot of fun and I'd definitely do it again!'

Vincent Robinson (10 years old)

We fully embraced the ‘Beyond the grave’ themed celebrations and had so much fun, i've got to say a really clean, no doubt helped by the fair "bring booze but support us by buying at the bar' policy, and well booked/ran festival!

Big up to Ben and the Bearded Theory/ @dhpfamilylive team! So many ace acts stood out for me but if I had to do a personal top ten this would be it:

1. @warmduscherr 

2. @henge_cosmicdross 

3. @fatdogfatdogfatdog_ 

3. @thedamnedofficial 

4. @lambrinigirlz 

5. Neville Staple aka @originalrudeboy1 & @thespecials 

6. @panicshack 6. @thepixiesofficialaccount 

7. @reverend_makers 

8. @officialskunkanansie 

9. @cmatbabiesofficial 

10. @garbage 

Honourable shoutout to @ozrictentaclesofficial , the DJ’s/ producers @bezmondays , @leroythornhill and to Courtney Dixon who I unfortunately missed but who will be playing at @waterfrontfestnotts on July 4th - get your ticket now! #BeardedTheory #imnotfromlondon #elvishasleftthebuilding🕺🏻