Eagle-eyed Bristolians worked out quickly that LCD Soundsystem and Loyle Carner would be headlining Forwards Festival this September. Teasing billboards (‘“Bristol, I love you but you’re bringing me down…” and “Take these words and go forwards…”) kinda gave it away before the first wave of artists was released. But did you guess any of the final acts just announced?
Joining rave pioneers Underworld, the noisy duo, The Jesus And Mary Chain will bring their innovative sound to Clifton Downs on Sunday. Meanwhile, the mysterious ensemble Glass Beams will draw on a mix of their Indian and South Asian-infused psychedelia will also be in town. Other additions to the line up include Danny Chaska, Kwazi, Laimu, Cousin Kula, Knives and Lice.
On top of this, Big Team’s Next Level Artist Development Programme will also support a selection of aspiring artists. These include alternative soul artist Sambee, Bossa Nova artist Ava Zarate, and fresh duo on the Bristol scene Rellz & YB Micz on Saturday. Plus, pop rock newcomer Ssadcharlie, R&B songstress Laura Dia and soulful singer Marns on Sunday.
Described as ‘more than a music festival’, blending a cutting-edge music line-up with political activism, Forwards will close out the British summer on August 31 & September 1. Founded by the Bristol-based Team Love – also responsible for large-scale events such as Love Saves The Day, Simple Things and, as of 2022, The Silver Hayes at Glastonbury – Forwards is one of the most exciting new festival additions to Bristol and the UK.
British rapper, Loyle Carner will be the Saturday headliner, while dance-punk legends, LCD Soundsystem, will be headlining on Sunday. The two-day festival also sees performances from Four Tet, Jessie Ware, Maribou State, Floating Points, Romy, Greentea Peng, Yussef Dayes, Yard Act, Baxter Dury, CMAT, Nubya Garcia, Hak Baker, MCRY, Jersey, Crazy P, Holysseus Fly and Da Funchaman & The Fire Blaze Band.
Tom Paine, Co-founder of Team Love: “FORWARDS is back for its third year, and we couldn’t be prouder. Each year it grows, evolves and delivers even more for the city of Bristol and beyond. From an international and genre-spanning music lineup to future thinking talks, initiatives and with a growing-in-popularity kids area, FORWARDS is the perfect day out for everyone”.
Loyle Carner embodies Forwards’ socially engaged ethos with his raw and personal on-stage persona. This will be his biggest-ever Bristol performance and only show for the city in 2024 – arriving fresh from his major headline show at London’s All Points East in August. Meanwhile, this will be LCD Soundsystem’s first Bristol performance in 14 years.
Tickets are on sale now. Early bird day admission starts at £55 with weekend tickets available from £99.50. To learn more head here.
Forwards Festival 2024 line-up:
Saturday
Loyle Carner
Four Tet
Floating Points
Romy
Greentea Peng
Yussef Dayes
Nubya Garcia
Hak Baker
MRCY
Jersey
Danny Chaska
Kwazi
Laimu
Sambee
Ava Zarate
Rellz & YB Micz
Sunday
LCD Soundsystem
Underworld
Jessie Ware
The Jesus And Mary Chain
Glass Beams
Yard Act
Baxter Dury
CMAT
Crazy P
Holysseus Fly
Da Funchaman & The Fire Blaze Band
Cousin Kula
Knives
Lice
Ssadcharlie
Laura Dia
Marns