The Downs, Sep 3rd and 4th 2022
Day One Review by Olivia Rose
Recently renamed and rebranded, Bristol’s freshest festival Forwards at the Clifton Downs is a testament to its name change, with its forward-thinking approach to platforming future artists and promoting political change. Set across the weekend of 3-4 September 2022, Forwards is dedicated to inciting both change and nurturing community through the power of music and activism, because its founders understand that, without strength in community, change is not possible.
In addition to two major music stages, the creators of Forwards also founded ‘The Information’ stage which hosted an array of sociopolitical information panels across the whole weekend, such as ‘Enviral,’ ‘Bristol Drugs Project: BDP,’ ‘Black Excellence Bristol’ and ‘Sex Talks.’ Encouraging conversations about a range of topics, from the housing crisis and experiences of race to class issues and sex positivity, the distinctive panels jointly represented the festival’s intersectional attitude to political transformation. Throughout the festival site, an ample amount of bins and recycling facilities were provided in order to protect the natural environment and wildlife of the Downs. Recognisably, sustainability is at the core of Forwards’ values as, on the stage screens, they clearly outlined their proposals to measure annual emissions, reduce waste and onsite fossil fuel consumption, and significantly improve their recycling rates. As well as ditching single-use plastics as part of their “Drastic on Plastic” campaign, Forwards also featured a range of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free food options and allowed festival-goers to bring their own refillable water bottles which they could top-up at the various Frank Water refill points onsite.
Including many notable contributors to the UK music scene, Forwards’ 2022 line-up also boasted next-level American talent, such as the spectacular LA-based singer and self-taught violinist Sudan Archives and the mesmerising Texan-trio Khruangbin. When Khruangbin took to Stage 1, they immediately left a positively wholesome impression, when they encouraged the crowd to “turn to the person next to you and introduce yourselves,” which harmonised beautifully with Forwards’ welcoming ambience. Regardless of age, the varied crowd were completely captivated by Khruangbin’s soulful instrumentalism and happily reciprocated the band’s blissful energy back to them, through their unified grooving and soaring applause.
Friends and active supporters of each other’s artistry, British rapper Shygirl and internationally-loved alt-popstar Charli XCX dominated Stage 1 in the mid-afternoon with their infectious confidence. Despite hilariously saying that she was “losing the battle with the wind,” Shygirl occupied the stage with a refreshing poise as she stylishly delivered a setlist incorporating some of her most popular hits, such as ‘BDE’ and ‘Nike.’ Complete with her classic, highly-skilled and spellbinding dancers Grant Gilmore and Nathan Kim, Charli XCX stole the show as she and the dancers nailed Kim’s choreography in complete sync, to the soundtrack of her innumerable addictive hyper-pop anthems. During her performance of the summer smash hit ‘Hot In It,’ Charli acknowledged the crowd’s explosive energy when sheexcitedly said, “I don’t even need to f****ing sing it, you sound so good!”
Maintaining Forwards’ epically wonderful feeling throughout its first day, renowned British music producers Fred again.. and Floating Points hyped up Saturday evening’s crowds with their electrifying DJ sets on Stage 2. With a backdrop of vibrant visuals to match his upbeat sonics, Fred again.. attracted an enormous, high-spirited crowd as he dazzled listeners with energetic live-vocal renditions of his well-known hits like ‘Jungle’ and ‘Dermot (see yourself in my eyes).’ Forthcoming British lyrical storyteller and visual artist Kojey Radical also made his presence known on Stage 2, as he took care to savour every moment, whether that was cheekily sipping his drink or smoothly dancing around the stage, and this influenced his audience to echo his glorious movements and passion for music. Exuding happiness and charisma during his full performance, Kojey freely engaged with the crowd and his irresistible smile and ecstatic body language conveyed total joy, whilst his spoken lyricism illustrated his charming yet authentic narratives.
On the Saturday night, lyrical powerhouse Little Simz graced Stage 1 with her skilful flow and striking stage presence, before British DJ and producer Jamie XX closed the festival’s first day with his masterly mixes. As a huge fan of Simz, it was truly an honour to see her live again, especially because she performed on the one-year anniversary of the release of her phenomenal album ‘Sometimes I Might Be Introvert.’ Transcendent from the very first note, Simz started her unforgettable set with her euphoric album opener ‘Introvert’ and entranced every member of the audience with her breathtaking lyricism until the very end of her hour-long set. Unable to take your eyes off of her, Little Simz possesses a profoundly hypnotising aura which enables her to truly harness her artistic power and take her performability to new heights – and take it to new heights she did, when she exceptionally rapped some bars from ‘101 FM’ in the pit, surrounded by astonished fans! Throughout her entire set, Simz’s attentive audience enthusiastically relayed her memorable lyrics back to her and there was a communal feeling of celebration in the crowd, to the point where the experience felt irreplaceably monumental. Whether someone was a long-time fan or saw Simz for the first time that day, every single person in the crowd on Saturday was part of an incredibly magical moment and emanated a mutual excitement. Reflecting on Simz’s set, a quote from the lyrical genius herself springs to mind: “can’t stop greatness, what’s the point in tryin’?”
Acclaimed for both his solo music and his role in the popular British indie-pop group The xx, Saturday headliner Jamie xx expertly closed the first day of Forwards with his joyfully carefree style of DJing and remixing. After a magnificent day filled with friendly faces, an assortment of musical genres and panels of cultural discussions, the producing pioneer Jamie XX incorporated timeless hits and feel-good tunes into his set, which the late-night ravers absolutely adored. Surrounded by colour-changing lights that synchronised with the music, Jamie xx’s set was a thrilling multi-sensory experience and an exhilarating way for thousands of festival-lovers to end an extraordinary day.
From beginning to end on Saturday, the family-friendly Bristolian festival felt joyfully inclusive and completely safe, which can be attributed to the organisers’ diligent efforts. This year, Forwards partnered with the UK-based community support network ‘Safer Spaces’ whose goal is to ensure equality and safety for everyone who attends festivals and events, through teaching, training and specialist assistance. Safer Spaces’ sanctuary could easily be found next to the Information Tent and there were even members of the initiative in the pit and amongst the crowds, which emphasised the significance of their campaign against sexual violence. Posters outlining important messages such as “IF IT’S UNWANTED, IT’S NOT OK” and “PRACTICE CONSENT AND RESPECT OTHER PEOPLES BOUNDARIES” were clearly visible around the festival site and, from personal experience, there genuinely seemed to be a collective attitude of strangers looking out for one another. Forwards’ heterogeneous atmosphere is certainly reflective of Bristol’s ever-changing nature, meaning that this newly-established and progressive festival will undoubtedly grow, both in number and impact, alongside the southwestern city’s population in the upcoming years.
Pics courtesy of Dan Rose
Day Two Headliners The Chemical Brothers
Review by Kieran Jenvey
The Chemical Brothers offered more than a performance at Forward Festival; They presented their own MasterClass on utilising energy to control a crowd.
The visual accompaniment for each song held everyone surrounding me in awe. Lights. Balloons. Short films. Flying robots. Loud synth. Disco Balls. This was two experts completely in their element.
Halfway through the show, we were met with calming blue, birds flying across the screens, and a moment of pause. You could feel the audience processing the power of what they’d just been shown.
The classics were there; Hey Boy Hey Girl, accompanied by cheering the whole way through. Swoon, accompanied with a football chant style chorus from behind me. Galvanise closing the show off with smiles and cheers all round. As well as some tracks off their last album, No Geography. MAH and Got To Keep On being personal favourites.
A real treat for Bristol. And capping a magnificent debut on the local and national festival scene for Forwards…already looking forwards to next year.
Pics courtesy of Hayden Brown
