On September 3rd, the first ever Forwards Festival will erupt in Bristol for two days. 

Bristol is highly renowned for its large scale electronic musical festivals, such as Loves Saves the Day and Tokyo World. In 2022, it’s about time for a multi-genre festival to take the stage. On the 3rd and 4th of September, Clifton Downs will be transformed into the musical utopia of Forwards Festival, with headliners Jamie XX and The Chemical Brothers being sure to attract music lovers from far and wide.

For a brand new festival, Forwards has done exceptionally with its line-up; it is absolutely brimming with talent from an array of genres. On Saturday 3rd, the festival is off to an explosive start with Jamie XX, Little Simz, Fred Again, Floating Points, Sudan Archives and ShyGirl (as well as many more). Not to mention the surprise addition of special guest Charli XCX, who is currently taking both Reading and Leeds Festival and All Points East by storm this week.

It’s safe to say that the Saturday line-up sets the standard very high, but Forwards Festival manages to outdo itself with the Sunday line-up. Legendary The Chemical Brothers are the chosen headliners, with other acts including the astounding Roisin Murphy, Caribou, Sleaford Mods, Spiritualized, and Kae Tempest. 

Despite the spectacular lineup it boasts, Forwards is so much more than a music festival. It is a new, innovative approach, challenging what a music festival should be, and looking forwards to the future. This will be made possible with The Information stage: a place for activism, examination, debate and understanding on today’s current affairs and cultural issues. This stage has an admirable line-up of its own, providing panels and talks with some of the world's most inspirational experts, disruptors, artists, writers, and thinkers. Some notable panels include Black Excellence Project — Our experiences of black excellence and Caring in Bristol: Solving Bristol’s Housing Crisis — is it even possible? The talks include Lemn Sissay’s My Name is Why, a one-man-show delving into his childhood in care, self-expression and Britishness. 

This approach is not just for show, however. Forwards is doing lots to promote sustainability and accessibility from behind the scenes, too. The festival is working with associated partner BIG TEAM CIC aiming to diversify the festival and events industry by helping groups who have traditionally been excluded from it, via work experience, shadowing, and paid job placements. The festival will also be collecting data to create a three-year strategy on how to monitor and reduce GHG emissions and promote responsible consumption and production. 

Forwards Festival is quickly approaching. If a brand new, innovative music festival experience with a stellar lineup is what you’re looking for then grab your tickets quickly before they sell out.

Get your tickets here.