FORWARDS Festival 2027 – Music United Kingdom

What to expect in 2027

FORWARDS Festival 2027 will return to Bristol Downs as a major two-day music event bringing together internationally recognised artists, emerging performers, local Bristol talent, food traders, creative experiences and discussions. The festival describes itself as an inner-city music festival that combines major international music acts with emerging artists from Bristol and beyond, while also using the event as a platform for culture, community and positive social initiatives.

The 2027 programme has not yet been announced. Visitors can therefore expect the overall FORWARDS format to remain centred around live music, multiple performance areas, independent food and drink traders, interactive experiences and The Information, while the exact artists and timetable will be confirmed closer to the festival.

FORWARDS has developed a distinctive identity by combining contemporary music programming with Bristol’s long-standing reputation as a music city. The festival also places considerable emphasis on sustainability, accessibility and supporting local organisations.

The festival’s FORWARDS THINKING programme extends beyond the concerts themselves, while The Information provides a dedicated space for discussions, panels and cultural conversations. Previous editions have included artists, writers, historians, broadcasters, activists and other contributors.

For 2027, visitors should expect:

• A major live music programme featuring established and emerging artists
• Multiple outdoor performance areas
• Bristol-based and UK artists alongside international acts
• The Information stage for talks, discussions and cultural programming
• Food and drink from independent traders
• Interactive experiences and community-focused activities
• Family-friendly facilities and activities
• Accessibility provisions for registered visitors
• A large open-air festival environment on Bristol Downs
• Sustainability initiatives focused on travel, food, waste and the natural environment

Event dates

August 2027 (Dates TBD)

The exact 2027 festival dates have not yet been announced. The official FORWARDS website confirms that the festival will return in 2027, but the detailed 2027 programme and dates remain to be announced.

Visiting this event? Don’t miss out on these amazing activities and local experiences while you’re here.

Venue & festival site

FORWARDS takes place on Bristol Downs, also known as Durdham Down, in Bristol, England. The site address used by the festival is Durdham Down, Circular Road, Clifton, Bristol BS9 1NE.

The Downs provide a large open-air setting rather than a traditional enclosed concert venue. This gives FORWARDS a metropolitan festival atmosphere while retaining the spacious character of Bristol’s green parkland.

The site is predominantly grass, with some paved and tarmac areas around entrances and exits. Because much of the festival takes place outdoors, ground conditions can change according to the weather. Visitors should be prepared for either dry, dusty conditions or wet and muddy ground.

The open setting also means that weather preparation is important. Waterproof clothing, suitable footwear, sun protection and additional layers can all be useful depending on conditions.

Full lineup

The full FORWARDS Festival 2027 lineup has not yet been announced.

The organisers’ official website currently confirms the festival’s return in 2027, but no complete 2027 artist programme has been published.

The previous edition provides a useful indication of the festival’s broad musical direction rather than a confirmed 2027 lineup. Previous performers included Maribou State, Self Esteem, Tems, Wet Leg, Tricky, Goldie, Joy Crookes, Crazy P, Erika de Casier, Paraorchestra, Amyl and The Sniffers, Dijon, Little Simz, Princess Nokia, Viagra Boys, Jean Dawson and Snail Mail.

These artists should not be treated as confirmed 2027 performers. The final lineup will depend on the official announcements made by FORWARDS.

Headliners & featured artists

No 2027 headliners have been officially announced yet.

FORWARDS has traditionally combined major headline-level performers with influential alternative, electronic, hip-hop, indie, soul and experimental artists. Its programming also gives space to emerging musicians and Bristol-based performers, creating a mixture of established names and newer talent.

Previous headline-level programming has demonstrated the festival’s broad musical range. Artists such as Little Simz, Tems, Wet Leg, Self Esteem and Amyl and The Sniffers have appeared alongside electronic artists, DJs, alternative acts and Bristol-connected performers.

For 2027, visitors should wait for the official FORWARDS announcements before planning around specific artists.

Stages & performance areas

The festival’s principal entertainment areas are built around live music and supporting cultural programming.

Main music stages

The main performance areas host the festival’s larger artists and headline performances. These stages are designed for large audiences and form the centre of the live music experience.

Secondary performance areas

Additional stages and performance spaces provide opportunities for emerging artists, DJs and genre-spanning performers. These areas are useful for discovering artists outside the headline programme.

The Information

The Information is a dedicated space for talks, panels and discussions covering contemporary cultural and social issues. Previous contributors have included musicians, writers, historians, economists, broadcasters and community figures.

The Interactive

The Interactive focuses on workshops, immersive experiences and activities that connect festival audiences with charities, organisations and community initiatives. Previous activities have included workshops and projects connected with sustainability, local communities, wellbeing, diversity and social issues.

Kids Area

FORWARDS also provides family-focused programming, with activities designed for children and adults including crafts, dancing, educational workshops and shows. The festival’s previous information identifies FORWARDS as Family Arts Standards accredited.

Stage-by-stage schedule

The detailed 2027 stage-by-stage schedule has not yet been released.

Once the programme is announced, visitors should expect individual performance times to be distributed across the festival’s main stages and additional performance spaces. The Information and Interactive areas operate differently from the main concert stages, with talks, workshops and activities forming part of the wider festival programme.

A practical approach for planning the weekend is to identify priority artists first, then build the rest of the schedule around their performances. Because several activities can happen simultaneously, visitors may need to choose between overlapping performances.

The final official timetable should be checked shortly before attending because the organisers state that artist lineups, attractions, site layouts and advertised performance times can change.

Set times

2027 set times have not been announced.

FORWARDS normally publishes performance information closer to the festival. Set times can vary between stages, and changes may occur after the initial timetable is published.

Visitors should check the official FORWARDS website and festival information before travelling to Bristol and again shortly before entering the site.

Because the event has several different programme areas, it is useful to leave enough time between performances for walking across the Downs, visiting food traders and moving through busy audience areas.

Ticket types

2027 ticket prices and ticket categories have not yet been announced.

Previous ticket structures have included individual day tickets and weekend tickets, together with age-specific options. FORWARDS has also provided group deals and payment-plan options through authorised ticketing partners.

As a previous-edition reference, official ticket listings showed:

• Saturday ticket: approximately $101.12 plus booking fees
• Sunday ticket: approximately $97.07 plus booking fees
• Weekend ticket: approximately $181.31 plus booking fees

These figures are converted from the previous edition’s published GBP prices and should not be treated as 2027 prices. The 2027 ticket cost will need to be checked once the official sale opens.

Previous ticket policies also included age-specific tickets. FORWARDS is generally open to all ages, with under-18 attendees required to attend with a responsible adult. Children aged four and under have previously been able to attend free with a registered infant ticket.

VIP & premium options

No 2027 VIP or premium ticket package has been announced.

FORWARDS has primarily focused on its standard festival experience rather than presenting the event around a large VIP structure. Any premium upgrades, hospitality packages or additional ticket options for 2027 should be confirmed through the official ticketing channels once announced.

Visitors should be cautious about purchasing unofficial upgrades from third-party sellers. The festival specifically recommends buying tickets only through authorised agents.

Event rules

FORWARDS operates a range of entrance and site rules designed to protect visitors, performers, staff and the surrounding environment.

Important previous-edition rules included:

• Valid tickets are required for entry.
• Under-18 attendees must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
• Alcohol, illicit drugs, nitrous oxide and legal highs are prohibited from being brought onto the site.
• Aerosols, cans and glass are prohibited.
• Fireworks, flares and laser pens are prohibited.
• Drones and other unmanned aerial vehicles are prohibited.
• Bicycles and scooters cannot be brought onto the festival site.
• Selfie sticks and gimbals are prohibited.
• Umbrellas are not permitted.
• Glitter, including biodegradable glitter, is prohibited.
• Offensive weapons or dangerous items are prohibited.
• Outside food and drink are generally not permitted, except where an appropriate medical requirement applies.
• The festival operates a cashless system.
• Climbing fences, barriers, trees, walls or structures is prohibited.
• Visitors should respect the natural environment of Bristol Downs.

The organisers state that confiscated prohibited items are not returned, while exceptions may be considered where visitors have a legitimate requirement and contact the festival team in advance.

How to get there

FORWARDS is held on Bristol Downs in the Clifton area of Bristol. Because there is no general public parking at the festival site and surrounding roads can be subject to restrictions, visitors are encouraged to use public transport, walk or cycle where practical.

For visitors arriving from outside Bristol, Bristol Temple Meads is the main railway station and provides a useful connection point for reaching the festival area.

Taxis and ride-hailing services can use the designated festival drop-off and pick-up area. The official festival information has previously identified a location on Ladies Mile approximately 500 metres from the festival site for taxis and Ubers.

Visitors should allow additional walking time because vehicles cannot simply drive directly to the main festival entrance.

Public transport & parking

There is no general public parking directly on the festival site.

The organisers have previously encouraged visitors to arrive by public transport, walking or cycling. A dedicated festival shuttle service has also operated between Bristol Temple Meads, the city centre and the Downs.

The festival has also encouraged sustainable travel as part of its wider environmental programme. FORWARDS reports that it measures travel emissions and promotes walking, cycling, buses and trains as alternatives to private car travel.

Limited bike parking is available, with visitors responsible for bringing their own lock and securing their bicycle.

Travel arrangements for 2027 should be checked again when the final event information is released.

Accommodation areas

FORWARDS does not operate as a camping-focused festival, so visitors travelling from outside Bristol will generally need to arrange accommodation separately.

Useful areas to consider include:

• Clifton, for accommodation relatively close to the Downs
• Redland, for a quieter residential setting with access to the festival area
• Cotham, which provides convenient access toward central Bristol
• Bristol City Centre, for the widest range of hotels, hostels and apartments
• Harbourside, for central accommodation near restaurants and nightlife
• Temple Meads area, which can be convenient for visitors arriving by train

Booking accommodation early can be useful because a major festival can increase demand across Bristol. Visitors should also consider their return journey, especially if staying outside Clifton.

Food & drink

Food and drink are an important part of the FORWARDS experience. The festival works with independent food traders and has placed particular emphasis on local sourcing, sustainability, fair working conditions and diverse menus.

The organisers have previously aimed for every food stall to offer at least one vegetarian option, while around 60% of meals were vegetarian. Food traders have also provided vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, halal and other dietary options.

Previous food programming has included independent traders serving cuisines such as Nepalese, Trinidadian and Sri Lankan food, together with children’s portions, snacks, coffee, cakes and other refreshments.

The festival operates a cashless system across its bars, with card and mobile payment accepted. Reusable cups are also part of the festival’s approach to reducing waste.

Visitors are generally not permitted to bring their own food or drink onto the site, although medical exceptions can apply. Empty reusable water bottles have previously been permitted, with water refill stations available around the festival site.

Accessibility

FORWARDS has developed a dedicated accessibility programme covering a range of visitor requirements. The festival has received a Silver award under the Attitude is Everything Live Events Access Charter.

Previous accessible provisions have included:

• Personal Assistant ticket scheme
• Accessible viewing platforms
• Accessible parking
• Accessible toilets
• Sensory calm space
• British Sign Language support
• Give Vision headsets
• Lowered bar areas
• Induction loop facilities

The festival site is mostly grass and open parkland. Some areas have pavement or tarmac paths, but uneven ground, slopes, mud and wet grass can affect mobility depending on weather conditions.

Accessible facilities normally require advance registration and supporting documentation. Visitors with accessibility requirements should contact the festival team before attending rather than relying on arrangements being available automatically.

Best days to attend

Because the 2027 lineup has not yet been announced, it is not possible to identify a particular day based on confirmed performers.

A weekend ticket can provide the most flexibility for visitors who want to experience the full programme, particularly because FORWARDS combines music with talks, workshops, food, interactive activities and family programming.

A single-day ticket can be useful for visitors who have specific artists or programme areas they want to see. Once the 2027 timetable is published, visitors can compare the two daily programmes and select the day that best matches their interests.

Families may also want to consider the day with the most suitable children’s activities once the 2027 Kids Area programme is published.

Previous year’s highlights

The previous edition demonstrated the broad musical range that has become associated with FORWARDS.

The music programme included Maribou State, Self Esteem, Tems, Wet Leg, Tricky, Goldie, Joy Crookes, Erika de Casier and Paraorchestra, alongside Amyl and The Sniffers, Dijon, Little Simz, Princess Nokia, Viagra Boys and other performers.

The wider festival experience also extended beyond concerts. The Information provided talks and discussions around contemporary cultural and social issues, while The Interactive connected audiences with organisations, charities and community initiatives.

Food was another major component, with independent traders offering varied menus and a strong emphasis on vegetarian food, dietary information and sustainable practices.

The previous edition also continued FORWARDS’ focus on environmental responsibility. The organisers report using biofuel for festival power, measuring travel emissions, promoting sustainable transport and developing circular waste systems.

These previous features provide useful context for what visitors may encounter in 2027, but they should not be interpreted as a confirmed 2027 programme.

Official tickets

2027 ticket sales and final ticket details should be checked through the official FORWARDS website.

The festival has previously authorised AXS and See Tickets as official ticket providers and has warned visitors against buying tickets from unauthorised sellers. Tickets purchased from unofficial sources may be invalid.

The official website also provides festival information, accessibility guidance, food and drink details, travel information and programme announcements as they become available.

For general enquiries, the festival team can be contacted through the official FORWARDS contact channels. The supplied festival contact number is +44 117 941 1611, and enquiries can be directed to enquiries@teamlove.org.