Forwards Festival 2026: Wet Leg, Little Simz and Amyl and the Sniffers confirmed
Forwards Festival is returning to Bristol for its fifth year, with the likes of Wet Leg, Little Simz, and Amyl and the Sniffers confirmed for its most eclectic headline mix to date.
The festival, which will take place on August 29th and 30th, will welcome headliners Tems, Wet Leg, and Dijon for the Saturday headline slots. This will be the first time that Tems and Dijon have performed in the British city.
In supporting slots throughout the day, Joy Crookes will provide a dose of R&B magic, while Maribou State will feature as special guests.
On the second day of the festival, Little Simz, Self Esteem and Amyl and the Sniffers will all return to Forwards to take to the centre stage as headline acts.
Additionally, Viagra Boys will raise the roof with their post-punk rampage, while Oklou will bring the vibes with her dose of cool experimental pop. On-the-rise rapper Jim Legxacy is also set for an appearance
Commenting on the newly released line-up, Tom Paine, co-founder of Team Love, has shared, “Our 2026 lineup feels like the perfect way to celebrate [our journey], with incredible music artists we are proud to see return to FORWARDS now as headliners, alongside first-time headliners – making it our most broad & diverse music offering to date with both days offering something for everyone.”
Alongside the main stage programme, the festival’s acclaimed ‘The Information’ stage will return for the fifth time to host debates and discussions, and platform grassroots voices to “shape culture beyond the weekend itself”.
Last year, artists such as Ezra Collective, Nia Archives, Olivia Dean, and The Last Dinner Party topped the bill for a glorious summer weekend.
Beyond the official weekend, it was announced last month that Lorde and Djo will co-headline a one-off show connected to the festival in Clifton Downs.
To mark the momentous occasion, Lorde and Djo will be joined by a massive supporting line-up in the form of Audrey Hobert, Rose Gray, Esha Tewari, and Grove.
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