Fred Once more… – FORWARDS 2022 | Credit score: Josh Pratt
The primary weekend of September 2022 noticed the debut of FORWARDS; Bristol’s latest inner-city pageant. Staged on Clifton Down’s, FORWARDS’ mission shouldn’t be solely to convey a few of music’s greatest names to the South West however to problem the function of the modern-day pageant.
When shopping for a ticket to a model new music pageant there’s all the time some preliminary doubt… As a substitute with FORWARDS any doubt by no means conceptualises as a result of status of the crew behind the pageant; TeamLove is the Bristol-based firm recognized for The Downs Bristol, their collaboration with Arcadia’s Bristol occasion, and naturally, Love Saves The Day.
Jamie XX – FORWARDS 2022 | Credit score: Josh Pratt
The partnership between TeamLove and AEG Presents goals to mix music with an area the place folks can pay attention, study and debate a few of right this moment’s most necessary cultural and social points; an area the place the likes of Jamie XX, The Chemical Brothers, Little Simz, and Caribou lined up subsequent to John Barnes, Lemn Sissay, Bristol Medicine Venture, and Caring in Bristol… And no, you’re not alone, once we first noticed England footballer John Barnes on the lineup, we considered ‘World in Movement’ as properly.
As a substitute, John like many others, discovered themselves speaking about necessary points like race, homelessness, sexual abuse and the setting, in addition to talks comparable to ‘Breaking the Music Class-ceiling’ and ‘Modernising Drug Help Bristol’. With hundreds upon hundreds of individuals already attending TeamLove’s occasions all through the pageant calendar, it was fascinating to see a brand new strategy with FORWARDS.
Seamlessly passing via the gates and straight to Stage 2, there was no proof of teething points; In truth, the branding, manufacturing, and format of the pageant felt like a profitable occasion that’s been operating for years.
Fred Once more… – FORWARDS 2022 | Credit score: Josh Pratt
The spectacular lineup solely felt extra prestigious as nearly all of the digital musicians performed their units reside, a particular contact that’s all the time obtained higher by the gang. Fred Once more (as anticipated) was most notably the act that encapsulated this stability of performing digital music reside. Taking part in his quickly rising catalogue, Fred showcased his musical capabilities whereas nearly utilizing the gang’s power to steer the set.
FORWARDS 2022 | Credit score: Josh Pratt
Earlier than Fred emerged on stage, you could possibly see firsthand the pageant’s goal. Folks stood on the entrance of the gang and held up whiteboards with statements that acted as dialog starters; from “sexual violence is a dick transfer” to “safer areas consent issues”, the chatter amongst followers shortly gravitated in direction of these conversations. These necessary matters have been met with a constructive response. These “thought items” have been coherently sprinkled all through the pageant, bringing the dialog to the followers was a type of activism met with robust assist.
From right here, you’ll be able to see what FORWARDS needs to change into, attempting to fill a void that’s getting wider because the pageant market turns into extra saturated. This isn’t reinventing the wheel, actually, it’s going again to why festivals have been initially shaped: to convey like-minded folks collectively to encourage constructive and progressive change.
It’s refreshing to see FORWARDS repackage this extra conventional pageant strategy. You may take pleasure in units from the likes of Charlie XCX, Sleaford Mods, or Overmono however then study one thing new from audio system and community-based organisations; one thing you see much less and fewer in additional ‘arena-based’/’day’ festivals these days.
Jamie XX – FORWARDS 2022 | Credit score: Josh Pratt
Whereas this was nice to expertise, we will’t overlook the principle attraction of FORWARDS is the line-up. Jamie XX and The Chemical Brothers have reputations that by no means disappoint; nevertheless, an sudden identify we loved probably the most was Floating Factors. Sadly, clashing with Little Simz meant folks missed out on his extra house-influenced set which suited the gang’s power. That being mentioned, all of the performers lived as much as our expectations and there was one thing for everybody.
FORWARDS stands out due to what they stand for; working with Huge Staff CIC which provides alternatives to younger folks, permitting secure areas to debate and talk about points whereas placing on a packed lineup of high quality music meant the pageant felt totally different however established on the identical time. We hope they return to Clifton Downs subsequent 12 months and look “ahead” to seeing what they’ll plan.
