FORWARDS is a two-day inner-city festival on Bristol Downs, blending global headliners with fresh local talent. It nods to the city’s musical legacy while pushing a forward-thinking agenda, rethinking what a metropolitan festival can do.

More than just music, it’s a platform for social impact. Through partnerships with Big Team CIC and Team Canteen CIC, FORWARDS supports year-round initiatives in Bristol. On site, ‘The Information’ hosts talks and debates on culture and current affairs, adding brains to the beats.

The fifth-anniversary lineup features major co-headliners like Tems, Self Esteem, Wet Leg, Little Simz, Amyl and the Sniffers, and Dijon and many more, plus a bundle of engaging speakers. 

RIYL: Outdoor city festivals that nail it.