BARRY CAN'T SWIM, EZRA COLLECTIVE, JORJA SMITH, DOECHII, THE LAST DINNER PARTY
FORWARDS festival, taking place on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 August 2025 on Clifton Downs, announces its 2025 headliners and first music names for its fourth year, revealing Electronic DJ and producer BARRY CAN’T SWIM and British jazz group EZRA COLLECTIVE as co-headliners for Saturday.
All female co-headliners have then been announced to top the bill for Sunday with 2025 Grammy winner and rapper DOECHII making her Bristol debut at FORWARDS, soulful singer-songwriter JORJA SMITH, and indie rock band THE LAST DINNER PARTY.
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FORWARDS will for the first time take over the August bank holiday weekend, bringing the biggest names in international music to Bristol Downs for an electrifying two-days where genres collide and creative talent takes centre stage. Acts confirmed to join this year’s line up on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th August include:
SATURDAY 23 AUGUST 2025
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 24 AUGUST 2025
DOECHII I JORJA SMITH | THE LAST DINNER PARTY
OLIVIA DEAN
FABIO & GROOVERIDER ORCHESTRA AND THE OUTLOOK ORCHESTRA
MOONCHILD SANNELLY
THE SILHOUETTES PROJECT | ALEMEDA I SNAPPED ANKLES
Forwards is celebrated as one of the UK's most progressive festivals, closing out the summer in style in Bristol over the August bank holiday weekend. A future-thinking festival, Forwards places international music acts side by side with major social initiatives and timely debate on the information stage.
BARRY CAN’T SWIM, renowned electronic producer and DJ, will electrify the stage at Forwards on Saturday 24th August, with his jazz-infused beats and pulsating house rhythms. Known for his vibrant performances and critically acclaimed releases, Barry Can’t Swim has become a standout name in the global electronic music scene delivering vibrant and unforgettable sets. Don’t miss this electrifying act at the heart of the festival’s cutting-edge lineup.
Mercury Prize winners EZRA COLLECTIVE will return to Forwards after their performance at the festival in 2023. The London based jazz stars, known for merging afrobeat, jazz and hip-hop, always delivers an unexpected, dynamic and captivating session on the Downs.
Following her 2025 Grammy award and standout Super Bowl and Grammy performances, The Swamp Princess, DOECHII, will be performing her immensely personal album, hailed by critics as one of the year’s best on Sunday 25th August. Known for her unique blend of hip-hop and R&B, her bold stage presence and style, has given her legendary rapper status.
JORJA SMITH brings her soulful voice and globally acclaimed hits to FORWARDS. With her emotionally resonant lyrics, Smith epitomises the festival’s commitment to bold and boundary-pushing performances. Her artistry, marked by vulnerability and empowerment, continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
THE LAST DINNER PARTY, one of the most exciting breakout bands of 2024 and winners of ‘The Rising Star’ award at last year's BRIT Awards, will unleash their opulent, cinematic indie rock onto the FORWARDS stage. This dynamic blend of music and theatrical stage presence promises a truly mesmerising show.
Forwards Festival 2025 promises to bring an iconic end to the British summer and an unforgettable bank holiday weekend of music, cultural connection, and discussion in the heart of Bristol.
Tickets pre-sale: 10:00 GMT, 5 March 2025/ Tickets on-sale: 10:00 GMT, 6 March 2025 - click here for Forwards Bristol tickets.