Members of a band have claimed to sport better beards than those of their famous counterparts on the eve of a new music festival.

Up-and-coming Brighton group My Federation also claimed people would rather watch their performance than a show by The Magic Numbers at the inaugural Beachdown Festival this weekend.

Both the hirsute groups will be appearing as headline acts on Saturday night.

However, while The Magic Numbers are due to top the bill on the main stage, My Federation will appear on the Brighton Bands stage.

The group’s bearded lead singer Lee Baker said: “I’ve got nothing against The Magic Numbers, or their singer Romeo Stodart, but this is my town, my beard and we’re not going to take Beachdown lying down.”

He added he was confident festival-goers would choose to support My Federation’s homegrown style of psychedelic rock ahead of their famous rivals.

The Magic Numbers, who formed in London, include members born in Trinidad and raised in New York.

Romeo, who sports the band’s most distinctive beard, declined to enter into the spat.

Both bands follow in the footsteps of a number of acts who have opted to make facial hair part of their style, most notably ZZ Top.

My Federation have been building their reputation at European festivals during the summer, and have supported 1990s band James on a British tour.

About 10,000 revellers are expected to descend on the Beachdown Festival, which is being held at Devil’s Dyke.

Other acts include Gogol Bordello, Fun Lovin’ Criminals, Reverend And The Makers, De La Soul and Jose Gonzalez.

The gates to the site open today, with acts due to perform between noon tomorrow and 9pm on Monday.

A large number of Brighton bands have been chosen for the lineup, including Doll And The Kicks and Drookit Dogs.

Who's your favourite bearded band member? Comment below.