Thousands Gather At Clifton Downs Bristol, Uk As Forwards Festival Blends Music Culture And Activism: Everything You Need To Know

Published on August 23, 2025

The FORWARDS Festival commences today, Saturday, August 23, astatine Clifton Downs successful Bristol, UK, marking nan opening of nan multifaceted two-day show which fuses music, culture, and different stimulating activities. The metropolis is besides buzzing pinch power owed to nan information of thousands of attendees who are enjoying nan unrecorded performances, hands-on workshops, talks, a wide scope of foods, and activities for each ages.

Festival gates plaything unfastened regular astatine noon, pinch nan last introduction allowed astatine 8pm and nan tract closing astatine 11pm. Visitors are advised to navigate astir adjacent roadworthy closures and constricted parking, while a shuttle autobus conveniently runs betwixt nan metropolis centre and nan show grounds.

The euphony programme highlights FORWARDS’ signature genre-crossing energy. Saturday features header sets from Barry Can’t Swim and Ezra Collective, alongside physics innovators Confidence Man, Orbital, and Mount Kimbie. Indie brilliance shines done Happy Mondays, Katy J Pearson, and Nilüfer Yanya, while rising talent for illustration Anna Erhard ensures caller voices energize nan stage.

The show introduces nan Arches tent, an open-air creation abstraction celebrating Bristol’s heavy physics euphony heritage. Annie Mac leads nan line-up here, supported by selectors Jamz Supernova, Helena Star, and SpicyIvy, creating an immersive, all-day creation acquisition that carries done sunset.

Sunday spotlights fearless female performers, including Jorja Smith, The Last Dinner Party, and Olivia Dean, supported by high-octane acts Fabio & Grooverider’s Orchestra, Moonchild Sanelly, Alemeda, Snapped Ankles, and The Silhouettes Project. The Arches shifts to a darker, bass-heavy reside pinch LTJ Bukem, Smith & Mighty, Shy One, and Miss Mash delivering a masterclass successful Bristol-rooted sounds. Grammy Award-winner Doechii was scheduled to header Sunday but withdrew earlier this week.

FORWARDS Festival goes beyond euphony pinch its renowned INFORMATION Stage, a dedicated abstraction for dialogue, debate, and taste exploration. On Saturday, sessions delve into themes of justice, community, and creativity. Political satirist Munya Chawawa collaborates pinch nan YoungSixSix Cohort to item really theatre tin empower underrepresented youth, including projects for illustration nan Black Boys Theatre Club. Denise Gough engages successful a spirited chat connected defense and strategies for a free Palestine pinch nan Palestine Solidarity Campaign, while Moonchild Sanelly and Dread MC dissect nan business dynamics and profit models successful Black music. Additional talks analyse nan intersection of hospitality and humanitarian work, alongside ambiance activists unpacking really biology crises power attraction and societal responsibility.

Sunday’s programme sharpens nan attraction connected politics, societal change, and younker empowerment. Carol Vorderman Zarah Sultana Gary Stevenson and Coco Khan Lead a High-Energy Session Tackling Political Frustrations. Historian David Olusoga revisits nan Race Relations Act 60 years on, alongside Bristol Bus Boycott pioneers, successful The State of nan Dream. Youth-led discussions merge DJ Krust, JayaHadADream, Eva Lazarus, and Teddy Good, exploring imaginative futures successful DIY civilization and section younker platforms.

Food and beverage offerings cater to all, featuring vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. Festival-goers tin transportation their ain quiet reusable h2o bottles, pinch aggregate hydration stations disposable passim nan tract for convenient refills. Personal nutrient and drinks are not permitted.

FORWARDS Festival has emerged arsenic a taste intersection for music, conversation, and activism since its inception successful 2022. The show features header performances alongside insightful discussions, designed not simply to showcase creativity, but besides to stimulate contemplation and mobilization.

Located successful nan picturesque Clifton Downs of Bristol, FORWARDS 2025 positions nan metropolis arsenic a halfway for taste and societal innovation. The show promises to present a play of unparalleled performances, provocative dialogue, and nan unparalleled acquisition of a modern municipality festival.