One of the UK's most progressive festivals, closing out the summer in style over the August bank holiday weekend.
FORWARDS is an inner-city music festival drawing the biggest names in international music to Bristol Downs over the August bank holiday weekend. The festival aims to present high quality, diverse and heritage music acts alongside emerging artists from Bristol & beyond. However, Forwards is more than just a music festival, it looks to challenge what metropolitan festivals can be today and how they can do good, from the inside out. This 2-day festival aims to harness the power of live events to bring people together for incredible music moments and lasting positive change.
FORWARDS 2025
Forwards is celebrated as one of the UK's most progressive festivals, closing out the summer in style in Bristol. Headling this year are:-
BARRY CAN’T SWIM (Saturday 23 August), renowned electronic producer and DJ, will electrify the stage with his jazz-infused beats and pulsating house rhythms. Known for his vibrant performances and critically acclaimed releases, Barry Can’t Swim has become a standout name in the global electronic music scene delivering vibrant and unforgettable sets.
Mercury Prize winners EZRA COLLECTIVE (Saturday 23 August), will return to Forwards after their performance at the festival in 2023. The London based jazz stars, known for merging afrobeat, jazz and hip-hop, always delivers an unexpected, dynamic and captivating session on the Downs.
Following her 2025 Grammy award and standout Super Bowl and Grammy performances, The Swamp Princess, DOECHII (Sunday 24 August), will be performing her immensely personal album, hailed by critics as one of the year’s best.
JORJA SMITH (Sunday 24 August), brings her soulful voice and globally acclaimed hits to FORWARDS. Smith epitomises the festival’s commitment to bold and boundary-pushing performances. Her artistry, marked by vulnerability and empowerment, continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
THE LAST DINNER PARTY (Sunday 24 August), one of the most exciting breakout bands of 2024 and winners of ‘The Rising Star’ award at last year's BRIT Awards, will unleash their opulent, cinematic indie rock onto the FORWARDS stage and promises to be a truly mesmerising show.
Forwards Festival 2025 promises to bring an iconic end to the British summer and an unforgettable bank holiday weekend of music, cultural connection, and discussion in the heart of Bristol.
FORWARDS HISTORY
FORWARDS celebrated its inaugural debut in 2022. Its a different kind of music festival that not only offers great music but also interesting talks and panels on social problems, whilst still paying homage to Bristol’s long-standing history of being a music city. It looks to inspire a new breed of city music festivals, committing to positive change through social initiatives and forward-thinking discussions, alongside epic music moments. The Bristol festival has seen the likes of Aphex Twin, Primal Scream, Little Simz, Olivia Dean, Charli XcX, Jamie XX, The Chemical Brothers and more perform on stage and is no stranger to the big names in the industry.
ACCESSIBILITY
FORWARDS have the following accessible provisions at the festival; Personal Assistant / Companion Ticket, Viewing Platforms, Accessible Parking, Accessible Toilets, Lowered Bar Areas, Diverse Sensory Calm Space, British Sign Language (BSL), GiveVision and trained assistance dogs are welcome.