Forwards Festival makes its next move with 2023 headliners announced

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

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. 

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. 

Tom Paine, Co-founder of Team Love, said: “We’re proud to be bringing FORWARDS back this year to the best city in the world, and our hometown Bristol. Building on our work from our inaugural year, we are incredibly excited to be able to pull together a musical offering with such an amazing array of talent. It continues to be our aim to make FORWARDS a space which invites debate and challenges the status quo. Offering our audience a place to come together, dance and make memories, while trying to inspire discussions, actions, and to enact positive change through the urgent conversations at The Information." 

Jim King, CEO of European Festivals at AEG Presents, said: “We are excited to see FORWARDS return after its inaugural success in 2022. Offering two days of music and culture, we’re delighted to bring headliners Aphex Twin and Erykah Badu to Bristol. A historic city with an important culture and music heritage that we’re pleased to be a part of.”

Tickets go on sale: 10:00 GMT, 24 March 2023 (pre-sale 10:00 GMT, 23 March 2023) at www.forwardsbristol.co.uk. Early bird day admission starts at £49.50, with weekend tickets available from £89.50. Concessions are available for children aged 5-15, local residents and low income individuals. As in 2022, FORWARDS will offer discounted tickets to all NHS workers. This is their small way of saying thanks for all their hard work and dedication. Gates open 12:00 with the last entry to the event at 20:00.