Reclaiming Britishness, Going Beyond The Manosphere, Exploring The Currency of Privilege and Global Conflict have been revealed as central themes and discussions for FORWARDS’ 2026 talks stage, The Information.
Image: FORWARDS Festival Information Stage 2026
Rapper and activist Lowkey, comedy creator and podcaster Cody Dahler, critical theorist and academic Louisa Munch, author and musician Jordan Stephens (Rizzle Kicks), The Guilty Feminist podcast host Deborah Frances-White, DJ, producer and entrepreneur behind Hardest Bars, Joey Clipstar, author of The Good Immigrant Nikesh Shukla, YouTuber JimmyTheGiant, Founder of Novo Yisrael J Arthur, visual artist and poet Rene Matić, author and playmaker Travis Alabanza and tastemaker Mimi The Music Blogger, join other experts, activists, artists, and thinkers taking to the stage for this year’s talks.
The Information stage has cemented itself as a pivotal platform for FORWARDS, a dedicated space to tackle some of the most pressing cultural issues of our time, offering thought-provoking dialogue, big-picture thinking, and powerful perspectives from leading voices over the two day festival weekend. With a focus on timely conversations and meaningful engagement, The Information stage invites audiences not only to listen, but to advocate for change, big or small.
With nine talks programmed, crowds are set to fill The Information tent, with major moments such as Reclaiming Britishness on Saturday, with visual artist Rene Matić taking on the discussion through the lens of their art, hosted by author and playmaker Travis Alabanza, as well as a conversation around Asking The Important Questions, with Yisrael J Arthur Founder of Novo in conversation with a special guest. Sunday will present a timely talk, Beyond The Manosphere, with YouTuber and commentator JimmyTheGiant, artist and author Jordan Stephens, journalist Danny Price, Founder of Cheer Up Luv, Eliza Hatch, Bristol organisation SLEEC’s founders Bryony Ball and Meggan Baker, and hosted by Bristol masculinities Educator and author, Lewis Wedlock.
Plus a not to be missed Smash the Fash talk on Sunday, with rapper and activist Lowkey, award-winning comedy creator, writer, and podcaster Cody Dahler, critical theorist and academic Louisa Munch, The Guilty Feminist podcast host and comedian Deborah Frances-White, taking on themes of Fascism, the Far Right, and ways we can disrupt them with host and author of The Good Immigrant Nikesh Shukla.
FORWARDS takes place in one of Britain’s most progressive and socially-minded cities, Bristol. Now in its fifth year, it acts as more than a music festival, looking to harness the power of live music events to stir collective consciousness through its wider programme of talks and collective action on site. 2026 music programme celebrates a female dominated line up with Self Esteem, Wet Leg, Little Simz, Amyl and The Sniffers, Dijon, Tems, Joy Crookes and more taking to the main stages.
For a full list of talks, visit the FORWARDS Festival website.
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