The Bristol-based festival has always pitched itself as a city festival with a conscience, pairing heavyweight headliners with conversations about culture, community and social change. Early signs suggest 2026 will be no different, with the first wave of names balancing chart‑storming success and genre diversity.

For Little Simz, Forwards 2026 appears to be a victory lap. Having already collected a Mercury Prize and BRIT Awards for her generational run of records, Simz has evolved into one of British rap’s most commanding live performers, known for staging that folds orchestral heft into razor‑sharp lyricism. A late‑August headline in Bristol should find her in full control of a catalogue that runs from the widescreen ambition of ‘Sometimes I Might Be Introvert‘ to the steely minimalism of more recent work.

Wet Leg’s inclusion brings festival‑tailored chaos back to the Downs. The Isle of Wight duo have graduated from viral beginnings to bona fide indie heavyweights, surfing deadpan humour with jagged guitars. They’ve since landed BRIT‑red‑carpet notoriety. With their second album maturing their sound without sanding off their edginess, a Forwards slot promises the kind of mass sing‑along that turns a hillside into a chorus.

On the other end of the spectrum, Australian punks Amyl and the Sniffers are poised to deliver the most feral set of the weekend. Fronted by the endlessly charismatic Amy Taylor, the band’s shows are notorious for ascending into mosh‑pit mayhem, powered by hard-hitting riffs and shout‑along hooks. Their presence fits in perfectly with Forwards’ legacy of loud, physical, cathartic performances that still carry a political charge.

Beyond the marquee names, Forwards has made a habit of threading rising talent and global voices through its lineups, previously hosting everyone from LCD Soundsystem and Loyle Carner to Olivia Dean and Barry Can’t Swim.

Further 2026 headliners announced include Tems and Dijon, who will join Wet Leg as the Friday headliners, marking a tone that swerves from alt‑R&B elegance to intimate indie songwriting. Self Esteem joins Amyl and the Sniffers and Little Simz on Saturday, promising a closing run that stitches together sharp pop theatre alongside punk-rock and heavyweight hip‑hop, making for one of the most exciting closing stretches the Downs has seen yet. Other major names on the latest line-up include Kraftwerk, Goldie, Viagra Boys, Oklou, and Tricky. See the full line-up so far here.

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The festival comes back after their very successful debut edition last year, announcing two big headlines who are ready to rock the festival off the boat. The event is going to be lead by one of the most influential and celebrated electronic musicians of all time, Aphex Twin, known for his innovative and experimental approach to the making of his music. Backing up, expect to see the eclectic Erykah Badu. She is amongst the biggest neo-soul idols of the industry and she definitely knows how to put on a show.

A selection of other unmissable artists also have a spot in the lineup. These include Bonobo, Primal Scream, Arlo Parks, Raye, Leftfield, Amyl and The Sniffers, Viagra Boys and many more. Hosted at Clifton Downs in Bristol from the 1st September to the 2nd.

The reason why the festival adopted such a name like FORWARDS, is because it’s ideology toward a greater cause is particularly prominent within their handbook. Not only do they put their head down to put on the best live acts and musical experiences for the Bristol audience, but they take into account the particular discrepancies found amongst the public’s possible unfortunate dysfunctionalities and impairments.

As part of their schedule they include a section named The Information. An offered opportunity for fans to get involved in a space dedicated to hosting debates and discussions alongside experts, creatives, disruptors, writers and thinkers. It is a challenge to create an interactive dynamic in the affair to get people to speak their opinion. After last years success with Jack Monroe and Jay Rayner they return with further announcements down the line.

As well as the latter they have adapted a number of other improvements such as host a Social Initiative programme to create awareness towards positive change. A Capture Forwards programme which invites photographer startups to get first hand experience in shooting a live event to kick start their career.

Claimed “a progressive-minded festival” - a statement made by The Guardian. A fair affirmation after finding out that NHS workers get a discounted ticket, as a thank you for the hard work they put in for the country. As well as balanced discounts for residents and low-income customers. It is safe to say the festival has been named quite accurately.

Tickets go on sale on the 24th March at 10am. The pre sale, however, is on the 23rd March at 10am.

Click here for tickets.