Five years in and Bearded Theory is starting to feel as though it has really come of age. All the little wrinkles from last year's debut at the Kedleston Hall site have been well & truly ironed out. A watertight contract with the local council over sound levels and the repositioning of all 3 of the main stages meant that last year’s problems with offsite noise levels were successfully overcome.

In fact the sound quality on the stages was generally as excellent as ever and the laser show in the Magical Sounds Dance Tent was equally superb. The old Bearded Top was increased in size, renamed Tornado Town, and programmed by our old mate Flounder of Endorse It In Dorset fame. The new outdoor Waters Edge Stage wasn't really big enough for some of the bands who appeared on it and the sound bled between there & Tornado Town but that really was the only minor gripe I could level at the whole festival.

Last year’s debacle with the bars was overcome with the appointment of the local, award winning, Thornbridge brewery. They had a decent selection of beers and ciders including a very tasty Bearded Theory festival ale and the barstaff were top quality with minimal queuing for drinks. Toilets were plentiful and regularly replenished with bog roll and Jeff and his team kept the amount of litter to an absolute minimum. There was plenty for the kids to do in an expanded Angel Gardens area with water zorbing, walkabout performances, story telling, discos and many other activities laid on for the little ones.

Another moan I had last year was with a few members of the security team who seemed rather over-zealous in performing their duties. This year they were far more laid back and friendly which always makes for a more relaxing weekend. Ticket sales were increased to 5,000 this year but the site still doesn’t feel at all crowded and it was wonderful to meet up with so many of my beardy mates again after the long winter months. As a bonus, and despite soft ground underfoot and some fairly heavy rain on the Friday, I managed to get the van out on Monday without the need for a tow!