Forwards Festival lineup out

Forwards returns to Clifton Downs on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 August 2026 ([efestivals.co.uk)], with organisers billing the weekend as the festival’s fifth anniversary edition. (epigram.org.uk) Saturday’s slate is led by Tems ([epigram.org.uk)], Self Esteem ([epigram.org.uk)] and Wet Leg ([epigram.org.uk)], an all-female co-headline configuration that also includes special-guest electronic duo Maribou State ([epigram.org.uk)]. Sunday’s headliners include Little Simz ([epigram.org.uk)], Amyl & The Sniffers ([epigram.org.uk)] and Dijon, who will make his Bristol debut ([epigram.org.uk)]; the bill also lists acts such as Viagra Boys, Oklou and Princess Nokia across the weekend ([epigram.org.uk)]. The festival’s fringe “FORWARDS Presents” night on Friday 28 August is a separate event featuring Lorde and Djo, scheduled the day before the main Downs weekend ([nme.com)]. Tickets went to pre-sale at 10:00 GMT on 17 March with general sale following at 10:00 GMT on 18 March, per the organisers’ announcement ([epigram.org.uk)]; eFestivals lists the event’s daily capacity at about 25,000 attendees ([efestivals.co.uk)]. Beyond the stages, the festival will return its Information programme of talks and panels and features a Paraorchestra presentation of Kraftwerk Re:Werk with Charles Hazlewood among the listed special projects ([epigram.org.uk)].