Only entering its fourth year, Forwards is already an iconic Bristol festival. Well, it helps when you’ve got Team Love (Love Saves The Day, Love International, Silver Hayes) behind you. Taking place on Clifton Downs over the August bank holiday weekend (August 23 and 24), it’s just announced its 2025 headliners too – and it looks like another banger.
The renowned electronic producer and DJ, known for his vibrant performances and critically acclaimed releases, Barry Can’t Swim will electrify the stage on Saturday with his jazz-infused beats and pulsating house rhythms. He’s joined by Mercury Prize winners Ezra Collective, merging afrobeat, jazz and hip-hop for an unexpected, dynamic and captivating session.
Then, on Sunday, expect all-female co-headliners at Forwards. Following her 2025 Grammy award and Super Bowl performance, The Swamp Princess, aka Doeschii, will make her Bristol debut with a unique blend of hip-hop and R&B. Jorja Smith also brings her soulful voice and globally acclaimed hits to the Downs, last year’s ‘Rising Star’ at BRIT Awards, The Last Dinner Party will unleash their opulent, cinematic indie rock.
They’re far from the only acts announced, either. Across the August bank holiday weekend, the likes of Confidence Man, Orbital, Happy Mondays, Mount Kimbie, Olivia Dean and many more will perform. More than just a music festival, discover major social initiatives and timely debate on the Information stage, too. Forwards always offers an incredible end to the Bristol summer.
Tom Paine, Co-founder of Team Love: “FORWARDS is back for its fourth 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”.
Tickets for Forwards Festival 2025 go on pre-sale at 10 am on Wednesday, March 5, and general sale on Thursday, March 6. You can learn more about the festival here.
Forwards Festival line-up:
Saturday
Barry Can’t Swim, Ezra Collective, Confidence Man, Orbital, Mount Kimbie, English Teacher, Happy Mondays, Katy J Pearson, Ishmael Ensemble and the Rituals Orchestra I, Mermaid Chunky
Sunday
Doechii, Jorja Smith, The Last Dinner Party, Olivia Dean, Fabio & Grooverider Orchestra and the Outlook Orchestra, Moonchild Sannelly, The Silhouettes Project, Alemeda, Snapped Ankles