Forwards Festival 2023 - Day 2

There is no shortage of festivals in the Bristol area, given its proximity as the ‘Gateway to the South West’, as well as being just three hours outside London (apart from the Glastonbury weekend when everyone in the city makes the 30 mile journey south).

But the jewel in Bristol’s festival crown (with all due respect to Love Saves The Day) comes at the tail end of the summer. Rebranded post-pandemic from The Downs Festival to Forwards, the 2023 iteration has pulled off quite the coup for its headliners. Hot on the heels of Queen of Neo Soul Erykah Badu on Day One, the legendary Aphex Twin closes the festival on Saturday in one of only two UK festival shows.

However, there is a feast of music with something for everyone to get through first: Jockstrap continue to sustain their momentum as critical darlings, with thudding electro or acoustic musings, often in the same song. Georgina Ellery has something of the Goldfrapp about her, gleefully casting a spell on the sizable crowd. The duo impressively fill the East Stage, albeit in volume rather than physical presence.

https://www.live4ever.uk.com/2023/09/review-arlo-parks-forwards-fest-23/