Nothing hits quite like a wholesome day festival when summer starts to feel like it’s slipping away. You’ve gotta have something set in the diary as the sunshine falls into Autumn to keep spirits high, smiles beaming and vibes lifted. This year we picked the ever-charming Forwards festival in Bristol, to provide the hug that welcomed us into September and remind us there’s always fun to be had, no matter the weather, no matter the time of year.
You’ll find Forwards sitting pretty on the Clifton Downs, a grassy, picturesque spot not too far from the city centre. Bristol’s known for an unmatched, atmospheric music scene, so the lineup here was always gonna be a good’n. Loyle Carner and Four Tet headlined Saturday, & Sunday was closed out by the unbelievable Underworld and, indie sleaze icons LCD Soundsystem. Forwards draws a mixed crowd of kind and conscious revellers, who have just as much care for our environment, education and ethics as they do for a good time.
The Information Stage hosted countless impeccable and empowering conversations across the South-Western weekend, including the fabulous Akala, Ashley Thomas/Bashy, Simeon Rose, Petra Mansour and Tolani Shoneye – to only shoutout a few. In the warmest corner of the field we also found so many charities and organisations spreading their messages, combating and highlighting issues including addiction and mental health, LGBTQIA+ rights, our impact on the environment, and the tragedies that continue to destroy Palestine. Even if you missed out on this year’s Forwards, information on all of the stalls, debates and talks hosted can be found on their instagram. We’ve also shared some links to explore at the bottom of this article so be sure to take a peek over there.
FORWARDS is made up of two musical stages, making it hella easy to get around and explore. As the gates opened on Saturday we made a quick B-line for some scran and bevs, the amount of food options here was a major highlight, and actually not too spenny as far as festival offerings go. Fuelled and ready we were searching for a boogie, and Romy was our supplier, down at East Stage. The magical club-pop set had everyone under her spell, queer anthems from her debut dance album, and a few remixes made for the sweetest treat. The xx’s Angels tugged on our teenage-heartstrings as we danced hand in hand, and you know the cover of Better off Alone was a MOMENT, plus Romy’s most recent drop Always Forever. Who’s not a sucker for nostalgia, and club classics? Romy knows just how to serve them.
West Stage hosted so many jewels of the UK music scene, namely Greentea Peng and Joy (Anonymous) a little later on Saturday. Bringing optimism and light to the dusk, Joy (Anonymous) never fail to a conjure a distinct atmosphere that absorbs the crowd, united by the sound of the duo. Preluded by GTP’s set, we were anticipating this once since we caught her earlier in the year at Boomtown. Greentea has a stage presence and aura that shines wide beyond the stage, a love and confidence that reverberates across the crowd. Bringing us soulful tracks, old and new, she’s got us holding out for her next release – her newest single Cosmic Scenes could not have rung truer.
‘TAKE THESE WORDS AND GO FORWARDS’ is the hopeful motto now shared by Forwards, and Saturday’s headliner South London’s own Loyle Carner. He’s had a couple of years packed with live shows, from his own tours, to UK and International festivals, just a little, low-key show at The Royal Albert Hall, and only recently another headline slot at All Points East. Unstoppable it seems, this set didn’t skimp out. A combination of sincere spoken word poetry and LC’s signature jazz-infused hip hop, plus a live band, give his shows such beauty. With a crowd of fans hanging on every word, the set flowing and music swelling. Loyle returned to the stage for not just one but two encores, the connection between artist and crowd was immense as the night closed out.
Stormy Sunday had another stellar display for us. We kicked off the day making guitar pick necklaces with the girls over at Climate Live. The youth-led charity for environmental change were easy to spot on site, calling a fuchsia pink, repurposed, double-decker bus their home for the weekend. Jealous.
Once the storm was finished with a minor tantrum (happens to the best of us), sets could reconvene safely. We could be found soaking wet and front and centre for CMAT. Making major waves right now, this Irish singer-songwriter has a tone like no other, and a personality to match. The joy felt across the crowd was palpable, with just as much adoration coming from the stage. CMAT and band made us all their cowboys, baby and we were oh so into it.
As much as it’s easy to stick to familiar faces at fezzies, it’s so important to have a look-see at artists you might not otherwise see, or even know of. Yard Act were our new discovery of the weekend this time. There’s something about dancing in a field, donning an emergency waterproof jacket, dancing to indie rock, that’s healing for the soul. Could we call it therapy, for our inner child? We think so, and we’ll definitely be keeping this Leeds band on our radar. As they say, variety is the spice of life, so we followed up some post-punk, indie-rock with a sensual, disco set from all-time Queen, Jessie Ware. We were welcomed into the glimmering Club Pearl and transported straight back to the 70’s. Lapping up Jessie’s empowering yet hedonistic tunes. She belted and danced amongst some other seriously sexy performers, and finished the set with a little bit of Cher, there’s just no other way.
To close out the whole weekend, we switched the vibe up once more for some 90’s trance at Underworld. After catching them at Secret Garden Party last year, there’s no way we’d miss them. Making this their only performance in the city this year, the crowd was mighty, under the influence of the iconic electronic duo. Bundles of friends, and couples, danced in unison, shimmering under the lights of the stage. When the finale track, (Born Slippy of course) started, a buzz rippled across the sea of ravers. As one of the most well-known electronic beats, ever, the appreciation and suspense only strengthened as the thumping anthem played out and whirled around the crowd. This immense echo of lyrics that captured the culture so frankly when the tune was released, still hit just as hard.
Forwards is one of a kind, a refreshingly accessible festival, made for everyone. It ticks every box, with the team behind the project putting awareness first in every decision made. Whether you’re looking for a reason to visit Bristol, a diverse lineup, banging food choices or a place for education, growth and optimism to feed and thrive – Forwards is the place to be.
Images by @Eljaybriss @giugliotto_ @khaliphotography
https://www.musicdeclares.net/gb/no-music-on-a-dead-planet
https://www.protect-our-nhs.org.uk
https://www.instagram.com/bristolqueerparents/?locale=bz-hans&hl=am-et
https://www.themaziproject.com/
https://righttoremain.org.uk/listing/bristol-defend-the-asylum-seekers-campaign/