Charli XCX confirmed as final headliner of new Bristol festival, Forwards

Charli XCX confirmed as final headliner of new Bristol festival, Forwards

Posted on: 24 May 2022

The internationally-renowned artist joins The Chemical Brothers and Jamie XX at the top of an all-star musical lineup.

 

Celebrated singer-songwriter and British pop high-flier Charli XCX has been confirmed as the third and final headliner of Forwards, a brand-new festival taking place on The Downs on Saturday 3 & Sunday 4 September.

 

Set to showcase a vibrant musical lineup and open up conversations around activism and social change, Forwards has been devised to "challenge what metropolitan festivals can be today and how they can do good, from the inside out," as stated on the festival's website.

 

In addition to eagerly-anticipated performances from Charli XCX, fellow headliners The Chemical Brothers and Jamie XX, and many more, attendees can also expect live discussions with a selection of guest speakers, including former England footballer John Barnes and food writer/activist Jack Monroe.

 

Tickets for the first edition of Forwards are on sale now - find out more and get yours here.

 

 

Fresh from a seminal performance at London's Alexandra Palace, Charli XCX is set to make her first-ever appearance at a Bristol festival when she arrives at Forwards later this year. 

 

Following the release of her number-one album CRASH, and off the back of her current UK & US tour, the multi-talented avant-pop star will take the stage for an unmissable show on the festival's opening day.

 

Known for speaking out and promoting positivity around mental health, Charli XCX embodies the Forwards ethos with her efforts to shine a light on urgent conversations through her music.

 

Elsewhere on the Forwards lineup, the first names of which were announced back in February, fans will be treated to stellar live sets from Khruangbin, Kae Tempest, Little Simz, Overmono, Caribou, Kojey Radical, Bristol's own Ishmael Ensemble and more.

 

 

Alongside a bumper musical offering, Forwards will be hosting a selection of on-stage interviews and discussions to dissect a broad range of issues faced in modern Britain.

 

Author Lemn Sissay will open the programme with his 'My Name is Why' show reflecting on a childhood in care, self-expression and Britishness, before Bristol-based writer and journalist Shon Faye is joined by Travis Alabanza to discuss the realities of love and romance in our times.

 

The following day, acclaimed Bristolian poet Lawrence Hoo will interview John Barnes for a discussion titled 'Exceptionally Black - The Silent Majority'.

 

Then, Observer food critic and feature writer Jay Rayner will share the stage with Jack Monroe, best-known for her campaigning on poverty and hunger issues, to explore 'The State of Food'.

 

Head to the Forwards website to browse the full programme for the festival's inaugural edition.

 

 

Sustainability will play a vital role at Forwards, with a focus on understanding the event's environmental impact at the core of a three-year strategy drawn up to ensure a responsible approach to production and consumption.

 

The event will be running in tandem with organisers Team Love's Big Team CIC, a community interest project set up to forge a path into the music industry for young people in and around Bristol.

 

With a particular focus on communities who have historically been under-represented in the music and festival industries, Big Team will offer work experience, shadowing and paid job placements during the buildup to Forwards and throughout the festival itself.

 

Forwards joins events like Love Saves The Day and Love International on Team Love's growing portfolio, which has also seen projects like The Downs Festival and hospitality pop-up Breaking Bread flourish in recent years.

 

For more information on Forwards, to secure your tickets or to follow news and updates as more lineup announcements come in, visit the festival's website or head to the Forwards Instagram page.

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Article by:

Matt Robson

 

Editor - 365Bristol.com & LOUD Magazine
 

Matt is a Journalism graduate and writer, passionate about supporting Bristol music, art and independent business. Get in touch via email at matt@365bristol.com.