The owners of the legendary Rock City in Nottingham have announced a partnership with leading alternative independent music festival Bearded Theory’s Spring Gathering.
The coming together of two huge names in the Midlands heralds an exciting future for the four-day event that kicks off the outdoor festival season on the late May Bank Holiday weekend each year.
DHP Family, the company behind the Midlands institution Rock City, will be working in partnership with the incumbent festival owners to ensure its continued success for many years to come at Catton Park, located on the borders of Derbyshire, Staffordshire and the West Midlands.
As a venue owner, festival organiser and national live promoter, Bearded Theory will complement DHP’s existing portfolio, which includes family festival Splendour and cutting-edge new music festival Dot To Dot.
With its last outing in 2019, the sell-out festival has gained a loyal following since its inception in a field behind a pub in 2007 as a folk/indie offering. Over the last five years, the festival has evolved with an eclectic wide-ranging line up and exclusive headliners that help it stand out from the crowded festival market.
George Akins, MD, DHP Family, said: “This is an exciting venture between two iconic music names that are a natural fit in terms of music heritage. Richard and the Bearded Theory team have done a fantastic job with the festival, and we’re delighted to be continuing the story together over the coming years.”
Anton Lockwood, Director of Live, DHP Family, added: “We’re excited Bearded Theory is joining DHP Family. As the UK’s biggest national independent promoter, we value the ethos and spirit of the festival and respect its history. From within our great team, we will bring our knowledge, expertise and industry contacts to the festival.”
Festival founders Richard Bryan and Stephen Blount welcomed the new partnership and will continue to stay at the forefront of the festival delivery.
Richard said: “We’re excited to be working with the team behind Rock City as this is without a doubt a great cultural fit for both parties. We have been looking at ways to improve the event without it losing its ethos, ethics and identity and to gain the support needed for it to continue to blossom, we are delighted to have found the answer with the Midlands favourite music family.”
Stephen added: “Our festival future is secure which is great news for all of us involved behind the scenes and the many thousands of our loyal fans who return year after year.”
Flaming Lips, Patti Smith and Placebo – headlining as a UK festival exclusive – top the bill with Working Men’s Club, Nova Twins and Do Nothing among the emerging artists at this year’s festival taking place 26-29 May 2022.
