FORWARDS returns to Bristol this September after its debut last year. Bristol will see two days of music and discussion, driven by its social initiatives to create positive change

The festival for forward thinkers, welcomes a multitude of international music names to its stage for 2023, including headliners the electronic legend, APHEX TWIN, and neo-soul pioneer, ERYKAH BADU.

Other names announced so far include:

BONOBO | PRIMAL SCREAM | ARLO PARKS | RAYE 

LEFTFIELD | GOLDIE WITH THE LIVE ENSEMBLE

AMYL AND THE SNIFFERS | CONFIDENCE MAN

OLIVIA DEAN  | BIIG PIIG | VIAGRA BOYS 

WESLEY JOSEPH  | JOCKSTRAP  

KATY J PEARSON |  | YASMIN LACEY | FLOHIO 

Heralded as “a progressive-minded festival” by The Guardian, FORWARDS compliments its incredible musical line-up by offering fans a space for discussion and debate at ‘THE INFORMATION’, featuring a host of experts, disruptors, creatives, writers and thinkers – side by side epic music moments.

More than just a music concert, FORWARDS looks to challenge what metropolitan festivals can be today and how they can do good, from the inside out.

Tom Paine, Co-founder of Team Love: “We’re proud to be bringing FORWARDS back this year to the best city in the world, and our hometown Bristol. Building on our work from our inaugural year, we are incredibly excited to be able to pull together a musical offering with such an amazing array of talent. It continues to be our aim to make FORWARDS a space which invites debate and challenges the status quo. Offering our audience a place to come together, dance and make memories, while trying to inspire discussions, actions, and to enact positive change through the urgent conversations at  ‘The Information’.” 

Jim King, CEO, European Festivals, AEG Presents: “We are excited to see FORWARDS return after its inaugural success in 2022. Offering two days of music and culture, we’re delighted to bring headliners Aphex Twin and Erykah Badu to Bristol. A historic city with an important culture and music heritage that we’re pleased to be a part of.”

UPDATE: The second wave of artists has now been announced:

FORWARDS reveals new lineup additions including EZRA COLLECTIVE, the quintet spearheading Britain’s jazz scene. The gospel notes of soul band GABRIELS are now set to serenade Bristol on Friday 1st September, following their meteoric rise in 2022. Also joining the 2023 FORWARDS programme is afrobeat, spoken word and electronic musician OBONGJAYAR.

Performing late night at THE INFORMATION stage on Friday, and bringing the after dark vibes is Bristol producer, vocalist and DJ GROVE, ethereal guitar driven sound PRIMA QUEEN and bassist DJ and producer MARLA KETHER.

On Saturday rave-ready bangers by Bristol’s SCALPING, groove laden bass and drum sections to 90’s styled anthemic guitar and vocal hooks SALOON DION, emotive vocals and explosive hybrid drumming INTOKU. Alongside this will be a showcase of associated CIC Big Teams talent development project,  NEXT LEVEL SHOWCASE at THE INFORMATION late night.

More than a music concert, FORWARDS looks to challenge what metropolitan festivals can be today, and how they can do good, from the inside out.

Kickstarting a new breed of city festivals, FORWARDS commits to positive change through social initiatives and a powerful platform for discussion, side by side with an epic music lineup, which draws the biggest names in international music to Clifton Downs each September.

Being announced later this spring is THE INFORMATION at FORWARDS – which each day unveils a programme of talks that face pressing cultural issues head on, with no conversation off limits.

Day tickets are now availableat www.forwardsbristol.co.uk from £60.70, with weekend tickets available from £101.90. Concessions are available for children aged 5-15, local residents and low income individuals. Like 2022, FORWARDS will offer discounted NHS tickets to those that work there. This is their small way of saying thanks for all the hard work and dedication.

Gates open 12:00 with the last entry to the event at 20:00.