Forwards returns to Bristol this September after its debut last year. Bristol will see two days of music and discussion, driven by its social initiatives to create positive change.
Words: Delroy Hibbert, @crossingthedanny
The festival for forward thinkers, welcomes a multitude of international music names to its stage for 2023, including headliners the electronic legend, Aphex Twin, and neo-soul pioneer, Erykah Badu.
Left: One of several Aphex Twin billboards which has popped up in Bristol. Right: Erykah Badu. Image: Mika Väisänen
The legendary producer and artist Aphex Twin started out as a DJ in the late 80’s on the free party circuit but soon brought his talents into the studio building a career in dance music influenced by ambient, techno and other genres since the release of his first single in 1991.
Since then he has gone on to release a number of acclaimed singles including Windowlicker and Come To Daddy as well as albums like Drukqs and the iconic Selected Ambient Works.
Erykah Badu saw her career lift off after the release of her debut single On and On back in 1997 from the album Baduizm. She soon picked up the title Queen of Neo Soul from the critics and put her talents to good work earning numerous awards for doing so including four Grammys and two BET awards.
Goldie, Image: @weareplaster
As well as these two headliners we can expect a wealth of other acts some of whom could have easily headlined themselves including the mighty Primal Scream, Leftfield, Yasmin Lacey and Goldie with the Live Ensemble.
Bobby Gillespie from Primal Scream, @weareplaster
Heralded as “a progressive-minded festival” by The Guardian, Forwards compliments its incredible musical line-up by offering fans a space for discussion and debate at ‘The Information’, featuring a host of experts, disruptors, creatives, writers and thinkers – side by side epic music moments.
More than just a music concert, Forwards looks to challenge what metropolitan festivals can be today and how they can do good, from the inside out.
Tickets go on sale: 10:00 GMT, 24 March 2023 (PRE-SALE 10:00 GMT, 23 March 2023) here
