Forwards  Festival – Clifton Downs, Bristol
Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th September 2022

When festivals were being cancelled during the pandemic, I kind of imagined that if and when they ever came back, I’d go to all the festivals regardless of their lineup.

Yet, in reality, I’ve actually become more discerning, and a lot of this summer’s festival line-ups make a quiet weekend at home seem quite attractive despite the abundance of those in 2020.

Glastonbury of course always does a great job of presenting a comprehensive selection of bands touring in the UK at the end of June, and it’s always a great weekend, but in terms of seeing bands, the vast site and number of stages means that you end up missing a lot of the bands you really wanted to see.

Of course there are still an elite group of smaller festivals programming superb line-ups, Bearded Theory, Green Man, and Forwards Festival spring to mind.

Forwards is a new festival which takes place over the weekend of 3rd-4th September on the Clifton Downs, Bristol, the same weekend as the wonderful Bristol Downs festival which was one of my favourite festivals of 2019.

The lineup featuring the likes of: The Chemical Brothers, Spiritualized, Self Esteem, Warmduscher, Little Simz, Roisin Murphy, Khruangbin, Caribou, Fred again.., Sleaford Mods, Floating Points, Kae Tempest, Kojey Radical, Shygirl, The Comet is Coming, OVERMONO (Live), Gabriels, Sudan Archives, Chrissi, Jamie xx and Connie Constance.

Add Bob Vylan and Skating Polly and it would be practically perfect 🙂

Sadly, I was unable to make it along myself due to family commitments, however Dutchpix who I met at The Downs festival when they were photographing it, kindly agreed to shoot the festival for Live Music Pix.

Nothing can replace actually being there, but these photos are about as close as it gets!  I’m sure you will agree their photos are amazing.

They report that there was a great turnout, fab weather, superb atmosphere, everything ran like clockwork, and of course a great lineup.  Pretty much all you can ask of any festival!

I’m already looking fwd to Forwards 2023!

All photos © Dutchpix and used with permission.  https://dutchpix.com