With headliners ranging from Aphex Twin to 90’s superstars Primal Scream, Saturday at Forwards Festival was bound to be a day jam-packed with classic and contemporary talent from across the country and from Bristol itself.
Amidst a sea of glitter and Aphex Twin band merch, I was ushered into Forwards Festival with a stewardess’s calls of gratitude for life itself and the beating down sun blessing the Downs. On entrance, all senses were filled ranging from the combination of culinary scents to the classic festival perfume of cigarettes and trodden ground.
First on the to-see list was Bristol’s own Katy J Pearson, bedecked in retro sunglasses and a Miles Kane-esque necktie. With her intro of “Talk Over Town”, Pearson’s blend of Americana country and Kate Bush-like vocals instantly charmed the packed crowd, entrancing each individual to sway side-to-side, pints in the air. Each verberation and tremolo raised individual hairs on my arms, her performance simply encapsulating. Pearson moved on to perform top-hit “Beautiful Soul” as an ode to her fellow triplets at the front row, her set complete, but by no means forgotten, with final track “Take Back the Radio”.
After a rather stressful interlude relating to poor signal and lost pals, a quick sprint to the East Stage to see Black Country New Road member, Georgia Ellery (Jockstrap) was needed. With her ribboned hair Ellery appeared ethereal in the glimmering sunlight across the stage. With Jockstrap’s unpredictable electronic sound, a cinematic film was placed across the audience as a result of fairytale-like synths and angelic vocals. Tracks “Glasgow” and romantic ode “What’s It All About” were favourites of the crowd – Ellery demonstrating her years of institutional and raw musical talent, blending Taylor Skye’s production with her acoustic guitar and violin accompaniments.
For a change of both genre and scenery, the reverse trip to West Stage was required to see Australian punk-rockers Amyl and the Sniffers, vocalist Amy Taylor adorned in leather and combat boots chugging a jug of frozen cocktails. Since the band’s breakthrough at The Great Escape a few years ago, track “Freaks to the Front” has been a theme tune for all pub/punk rock fans who truly don’t give a f**k about what other people have to say. With her tongue out and lipstick smudged, Taylor glided across the stage, falling to her knees in prayer and brandishing her chest to the gods of rock n’ roll. Tracks “Hertz” and “Security” summarised perfectly the band’s quintessential sound and nonchalant aura, crooning in anguish the all too familiar occurrence of being barred from a pub.
A brief trip to the Information stage was next on the schedule, to catch Bristol’s independent, self-made rockers Saloon Dion. The band’s electric energy and interaction with fellow music-lover comrades was both intimate and refreshing – the band only a hand’s reach away as they mingled, moshed and jumped into the crowd. Earworm tracks “Happiness”, “I Don’t Feel” and “VHS” lit up the stage, awakening an animalistic and primal vivacity within many, as fans took to climbing the tent’s supports. Saloon Dion is without a doubt an act to watch in the upcoming months, the band’s chemistry and musical talent are destined to project them into the post-punk limelight.
Time for the headliners. Accompanied by a choral choir dressed in white, Primal Scream took to the stage, bringing every ounce of screamadelica with them. “Moving on Up” welcomed the crowd as the masses streamed towards the West Stage as if a holy pilgrimage to the era of David Beckham fandom, Adidas and Britpop-riddled charts. Clapping and raised arms filled the downs as Primal Scream moved through their timeless top hits. Sax instrumental sections were met with crescendos of cheers from the audience, the player rewarding himself with a well-earned cigarette mid-performance.
As the end of the night loomed, and my cowboy boot blisters worsened, all eyes turned to the final act – Aphex Twin AKA. Richard D. James, is known for his iconic electronic sound and explicit album art. Hear me out, while not usually my go-to artist apart from their more meditative pieces (cough No. 3), Aphex Twin was met with the biggest crowd yet and was without a doubt a spectacle to see. With flickering, fluorescent lights reminiscent of starlight, James’s set turned into more of an ecstasy-fuelled dream than a live performance and provided an ambient, psychedelic-like ending to the jam-packed day.
@nevedawsonphotos @_nevedawson
My current role for TBGG is as a Reviewer, Interviewer and Photographer, which I do in my spare time when I'm not studying English Literature and History at the University of Bristol.
I'm available for reviews, previews, interviews and shoots through the company. Alongside TBGG I also write for The So Young, Groupie and Rodeo Magazines, with an aspiration to enter magazine and newspaper journalism focusing on culture and the arts.
What was your first Gig?
The first gig I remember seeing (when I wasn’t dragged around by my metal-head father) was The Killers live in my hometown of Birmingham in 2016. Brandon Flowers’s iridescent cowboy suit still blinds me to this day and echoes glamorous indie rock n’ roll for years to come.
What's your dream Gig?
I would have to say my dream gig would be seeing Hendrix’s star-spangled banner live at Woodstock ’69. Call me cliché but I was born in the wrong generation.
Isaac Stubbings @ilnsimages
Role: Photographer & Reviewer
Hey! I'm a photographer who uses music as a core influence in all my photography. I love looking towards colour and lighting to try and emulate a narrative that enhances my work.
Qualifications: I study Photography at the University of the West of England, Bristol.
Available for: Gig Shoots, Photo Shoots, Album and Single cover shoots and Touring
First attended gig: The first gig I went to was to see the band Beach House in Brighton when I was about 14. It was in a big church and I remember the dreamy vocals and synths sounded amazing with the acoustics of the place. After that, I was hooked on the experience of going to see live music.
First gig shot: In college I shot a couple of my friends’ bands in tiny venues, but I think the first proper gig I shot was Newdad at Thekla. Wanting to get back into music photography, I reached out – not really expecting to hear back – and it meant a lot to me when I was put on the list to shoot one of my favourite bands. It was such an enjoyable and rewarding experience for me, so after that I was set on pursuing it further.
Dream gig: Big question. There are so many I could think of, but it would have to be The Cure in a small intimate venue.