Review: Forwards Festival 2023 (Friday), the Downs – ‘The party of the year’

As the sun sets on the Friday of Forwards Festival, Confidence Man are singing C.O.O.L Party.

“Do you wanna come to the party of the year?” frontwoman Janet Planet croons breezily.

But she doesn’t need to ask – we’re already here. Forwards truly is the party of the year.

The day is full of celebrations – during Olivia Dean’s set, we even sing Happy Birthday to her sound guy Kevin.

We mostly let the Mercury Prize-winner take the lead, and it’s the most incredible rendition of Happy Birthday I’ve ever heard.

Dean is glowing off the back of her recent success, and we’re basking in it.

Her set is beautifully bold – track Carmen is a particular stand-out, a love letter to her grandmother and the Windrush generation.

The ‘Information’ area is bursting with inspirational artists, writers and thinkers candidly discussing and debating cultural and current affairs.

The ‘Lit in Colour’ panel pushes the boundaries of the publishing industry, while David Olusoga takes to the stage to discuss broadcasting inequality.

The line-up is solid – it’s almost impossible to choose which acts to see.

Halfway through the ‘Lit in Colour panel’, Nikesh Shukla (Spider Man, comic, author and coolest guy ever) stops and sighs ‘Ezra Collective! I wanted to see them’.

The clash is unlucky, but Ezra Collective’s groove is a hopeful soundtrack for the panel.

“The most liberal & progressive institutions like universities, publishers, broadcasters are among worst at diversity.

“They have a “moral license” that they’re already doing good.”

Historian @DavidOlusoga with journalist @Victoria_Spratt at @ForwardsBristol #forwardsfestival pic.twitter.com/JPv2NKX5CB

— Dan Martin (@Dan_Martin) September 1, 2023

Forwards is a proper knees-up: a utopia of what festivals can and should be.

Everything is careful and considered, from compostable toilets to sensory calm areas.

The festival has successfully harnessed the power of live music to build community and connection and has made huge strides towards the future of music events.

I’ve already mentioned Confidence Man, but I can’t not mention them again.

Australian pop duo were the highlight of the festival. photo: @darrencphotography

The Australian wonk-pop quartet were the highlight of the day, their effervescent funk stirring a hysterical mass-dancing event.

Leads Janet Planet and Sugar Bones (iconic, right?) are also just the sexiest duo any of us have ever laid our eyes on.

Their choreography is insanely slick – they swagger on in huge David Byrne-style suits, doing flips between multiple costume changes, one of which involves light up shoulder pads and conical bra.

Meanwhile on the West stage, the queen has arrived, obscured by a giant bowler hat and leather trench.

No one can quite believe that she’s on the Downs, but when she takes off the disguise, it really is Erykah Badu.

Her voice is golden and silky – eternally gorgeous.

She commands the crowd with ease, and we erupt when she brings out surprise guest Yasiin Bey.

Badu isn’t just a Queen, she’s an untouchable celestial being. It’s as if she lined up with the recent blue moon, a rare phenomenon the lucky few are blessed to see.

Forwards Festival is shaping up to be the perfect summer send off.

Main photo: @darrencphotography

Read next:

• The best of Bristol: Acts to watch at 2023’s Forwards Festival
• Immersive light show coming to Bristol Cathedral
• Review: Love Saves the Day, Ashton Court – ‘Lived up to its expectation in every single metric’

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