LIVE REVIEW: Forwards Festival 2025: A Bristol love letter in sound....

If Bristol were a song, Forwards Festival would be its chorus—bold, brilliant, and impossible not to sing along to. Since its debut in 2022, Forwards has become a fixture on the UK festival circuit, and rightly so. It’s a celebration of Bristol’s rich musical heritage, a showcase for rising stars, and a playground for legends. Saturday’s lineup was a genre-hopping joyride, and I was strapped in from the first chord.

Winners of the War Child Rising competition, Undici didn’t just open the festival—they detonated it. With guitars slung behind heads and Foo Fighters’ “All My Life” roaring through the speakers, they played like they were headlining Wembley. The crowd may have been small, but the energy was seismic. Expect big things from this band—if they can ignite a sleepy field at noon, imagine what they’ll do with a packed tent at midnight.

Over on the East Stage, Mermaid Chunky turned confusion into elation with their surreal, sunshine-soaked performance art. This vibrant duo builds songs around recorder riffs—yes, really—and layers them with dancers in technicolour costumes. It’s like stumbling into a primary school music class run by Björk and a glitter cannon. Their set was pure serotonin, and the crowd responded with gleeful abandon.

Fronted by the magnetic Holysseus Fly, Ishmael Ensemble delivered a masterclass in genre fusion. Their set began in jazz and morphed into club-ready chaos, with guest appearances from The Rituals Orchestra, MC Rider Shafique, and the ever-electrifying Grove. “Ezekiel” became the unofficial anthem of the day—its dirty dance energy rippling through the crowd like a shared heartbeat. This was Bristol music at its most expansive and emotionally raw.

As the afternoon mellowed, Katy J Pearson’s voice floated across Clifton Down like a warm breeze. Backed by a seven-piece band, she delivered a set that felt like a hug from the city itself. “Beautiful Soul” shimmered with summery folk charm, and the crowd—now the largest of the day—swayed in blissful unison. It was a moment of collective calm, and it felt like home.

Then came the curveball. Shaun Ryder, often a verse ahead of himself, and Bez, dancing like he’d just discovered Red Bull, brought the party. The Happy Mondays delivered exactly what we wanted: classics, chaos, and charisma. It was a glorious mess, and we loved every second.

English Teacher closed their festival season with a bang, turning “World’s Biggest Paving Slab” into a funky, singalong anthem. Their set was tight, playful, and perfectly pitched for a crowd now fully in festival mode. It was the kind of performance that makes you want to follow a band across the country just to relive the magic.

As the sun dipped behind the West Stage, Ezra Collective took over—and took off. Their jazz-infused carnival of sound transformed the field into a dancefloor, with families, kids, and seasoned ravers grooving shoulder to shoulder. Saxophonist James Mollison owned the pit, while drummer Femi Koleoso hit a solo so fierce it seemed to summon the sunset. Their love for Bristol was palpable, and the city gave it right back. This was not just a set—it was a celebration.

Just when you thought your feet couldn’t take any more, Bristol’s own Mould headlined the Information By Night stage with a sonic sledgehammer. Their blend of crunching guitars and catchy melodies had the crowd on its feet in seconds. It was gloriously loud, unapologetically raw, and the perfect way to blow the final cobwebs off a euphoric day.

Forwards Festival 2025 was a love letter to Bristol—its artists, its audiences, and its unapologetic joy. From jazz to mosh pits, recorders to rock legends, the day was a kaleidoscope of sound and spirit. If you missed it, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. But next year? Pack your wellies, bring your glitter, and meet us on Clifton Down. You won’t want to miss it.

Words & Pictures by Matt Barnes