News / Forwards 2026
FORWARDS festival tackles fascism, global conflict and the manosphere
FORWARDS festival is not shying away from the big issues this year, with a hard-hitting edition of its talks programme themed around privilege, global conflict, reclaiming Britishness and the manosphere.
The festival on the Downs has revealed a dynamic lineup for the cerebral side of its weekend programme that spotlights cultural hot topics and current affairs.
Panels at the Information will include local figures across food, culture, finance and activism alongside international thought leaders, musicians, journalists and academics.
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Saturday’s sessions feature Bristol’s Ben Harvey of Bianchis, Jikoni founder Iman Salat and Josh Eggleton MBE discussing food inequality and hospitality-shaped community, and a discussion around nuance in Black artistry hosted by Pops Roberts of Saffron Records.
Award winning Bristol writer and performer Travis Alabanza will host a session on reclaiming Britain, asking ‘is there a point?’, while law, politics and radical empathy expert Yisrael J Arthur will debate what ordinary citizens can do about global conflict.
On Sunday a ‘smash the fash’ discussion will take place between Guilty Feminist podcast host Deborah Frances-White, critical theorist and academic Louisa Munch and conscious hip hop artist Lowkey, hosted by the Good Immigrant author Nikesh Shukla.
Jordan Stephens was last seen in Bristol welcoming Green Party leader Zack Polanski onto the stage as part of the Rizzle Kicks show at O2 Academy – photo: Rizzle Kicks
Rizzle Kicks‘ Jordan Stephens will be joined by left wing convert YouTuber JimmyTheGiant, outspoken journalist Danny Price and others to explore the rise of toxic masculinity and the world beyond the ‘manosphere’.
Bristol musician and Booty Bass founder NGAIO will open up a conversation around power, equity and opportunity in a session on the currency of privilege, unpacking how invisible forces shape success behind the scenes with Hardest Bars YouTube channel creator Joey Clipstar, actor and author Kelechi Okafor, Malaki Patterson of TheMusicWorks charity and Mimi the Music Blogger.
And local and international actors including representatives of Team Love, Triodos Bank, Patagonia and Ben & Jerry’s will be quizzed on responsible brand practices by a member of the Rising Arts Agency.
The Information hosts talks during the day and cutting edge emerging artists, often from Bristol, as the event moves into the evening – photo: @eljaybriss
The Information tent is a key part of the festival’s programming, encouraging thought and discussion about creating change for radically progressive futures.
It complements a future-facing music lineup which this year centres female artists, with Self Esteem, Wet Leg, Little Simz, Amyl & the Sniffers and Tems all co-headlining across the weekend.
FORWARDS takes place on the Downs across August Bank Holiday. For more information visit forwardsbristol.co.uk
Main image: @eljaybriss
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