Bearded Theory

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 eight stages which are:

• The Pallet - the main stage
• The Meadow - introduced in 2023 as a secondary large stage
• The Woodland - a small stage in the woods
• Coda - dance music; Coda was introduced in 2024 replacing Magical Sounds
• The Maui Waui Stage
• Big Ed - DJ and dance music; Big Ed replaced The Ship in 2023
• Convoy Cabaret
• Something Else Tea Tent - small acts, solo, new artists

Additionally, the festival also hosts a stage for children - Rogues Hideout - as well as Craft Village, Healing Area, smaller DJ venues, several public real ale bars, several cocktail or gin bars, Festival School, Children's Village and a 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 was announced that due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the 2020 Spring Festival would be postponed to 10–13 September.