Forwards Festival 2024 completes its line-up

Forwards Festival 2024 has completed this year’s festival line-up with the announcement of a final wave of shows, which includes the only Bristol show of the year by Jesus And Mary Chain.

Formed in 1983 by Scottish brothers Jim and William Reid, the duo has a career that includes launching an innovative sound and significantly influencing the indie rock scene. The band will take to the festival stage on Sunday, and fans will be hoping to hear hits like ‘April Skies’ and ‘Just Like Honey’ among the setlist.

Alongside the Jesus And Mary Chain, Glass Beams will draw from their Indian and South Asian roots to bring a mix of pyschedelia and surf rock to their Bristol show. Their debut album ‘Mirage’ has been described as “a mesmerizing amalgamation of classic Indian disco elements from the 70s”.

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It also joins the 2024 Forwards program and a collection of Big Team’s Next Level Artist Development Program, a project specifically designed to help support aspiring artists. Big Team and Bristol Beacon have joined forces in search of the city’s best emerging talent and, now in their third year, are bringing the activity to Bristol Beacon’s new studios and redeveloped stages, as well as returning to the Big Team festival circuit.

This project was specifically designed to support aspiring artists who make original music in modern genres and may already be making strides by playing live or releasing records. The Forwards line-up through this program also includes alternative soul artists Sambee, Bossa Nova artist Ava Zarate, and fresh duo on the Bristol scene Rellz and YB Micz Saturday.

So is newcomer pop rock SsadcharlieR&B singer Laura Dia and soulful singer Marns Sunday.

This year’s bill will also see a selection of local Bristol artists take to the stage on Saturday, including producer and rapper. Danny Chaska, lo-fi rapper Quasi, and band inspired by jazz and future soul Laimu. On Sunday there will be a psychedelic soul group Cousin Kulapost-punk band KNIVES and alternative indie rock band Lice.

The Forwards Festival will take place this year on Saturday 31st August and Sunday 1st September at Clifton Downs, with tickets on sale now. Organizers say a replacement for Maribou State is to be announced soon after the duo’s 2024 shows are cancelled.