Review: Forwards 2024 day two – ‘A near flawless day’

It was a wet and windy day at Forwards Festival on Sunday with thunderstorms causing the shutdown of both stages and a possible health and safety risk.

We spent the day racing between stages as band after band were on our ‘To Watch’ list, allowing us little reprieve but a lot of incredible live music, and that was our focus. Music.

While Forwards offers an incredible programme of talks and discussions, we decided that the live music lineup was just too good to miss so found ourselves amongst as many crowds as possible, catching a glimpse of as many acts as possible.

Bristol’s most positive and laid-back music festival kicked off its final day in style with several Bristol acts taking to the East and West stage, showcasing what makes our city’s music scene so unique and diverse.

Holysseus Fly has been making a name for herself after being championed by BBC 6 Music including a personal endorsement from Lauren Laverne

Holysseus Fly was suitably euphoric, swathed in bubblegum blue and hitting the sweetest high notes while performing with her two backing dancers.

Known as the vocalist from Ishmael Ensemble, it’s been lovely to watch her carve out her own space with solo headline shows at The Fleece and performances at Glastonbury and this performance was no different. A well-deserved main stage triumph.

Da Fuchaman’s show is focused on uplifting the crowd and spreading positivity

Over on the East stage was the second Bristol act of the day, Da Fuchaman and his Fire Blaze band. The Jamaican born singer provided the ultimate feel-good vibes for Forwards despite the dreary weather. His soulful voice alongside the reggae melodies and his upbeat energy felt like one big party.

Australia’s Glass Beams, who were a big mainstage hit, performed in jewelled masks

Glass Beams, the Australian musical trio, brought the sunshine with them as they performed on stage. The masked psychedelic band offered a different atmosphere from Da Fuchaman, delivering laid-back and funky melodies that melded the twang of traditional Indian music with the guitar sound of surf rock and the trippy vocals of psychedelia.

It was a beautiful performance and I can only hope they return to the city again soon.

Unfortunately Crazy P, at the top of our To Watch list after catching their Glastonbury set in June, pulled out of their performance – with reports on Monday sadly confirming that lead vocalist Danielle Moore tragically died last week.

Local artists Cousin Kula took Crazy P’s mainstage slot

We were more than happy to see Cousin Kula get bumped up to the main stage ahead of their closing performance on the Information By Night stage.

The Bristol band were a great follow on from Glass Beams, matching their sound but with a bit more energy. The band’s set was full of soulful melodies and hypnotising vocals and it was so great to see them take to the big stage, allowing the grey day to brighten with performances of tracks from 2024 album Vitamin D.

The weather turned nasty during CMAT’s set, resulting in lightning warnings and crowds having to wait out the storm

The weather really started to create havoc when CMAT took to the stage, clad in sunglasses and matching leopard print with her band. She dominated the stage, emulating both an unbridled glee and a serious coolness that only she could pull off. Her unique voice and country-pop songs cut through the rain, bringing some much needed joy.

It was half way through her track Whatever’s Inconvenient that the music stopped and a lightning warning flashed onscreen. CMAT was ushered off stage full of apologies (only our British weather can take the blame for this!) as we waited for an update on whether we should all go home or wait out the storm.

Forwards fans weren’t put off by abit of thunder, and stuck the rain out to see the day’s closing acts

Fortunately it didn’t last too long and as the rain slowed, the crowd cheered as Baxter Dury took to the stage. The indie musician is full of confidence and was looking very suave as he roved around the stage.

The bluntness of his vocals was offset by a female vocalist, pairing magically together. Completely uninhibited, Baxter Dury was full of fun and turned out to be exactly what we needed to dry off.

The Jesus and Mary Chain, originally formed in 1983, are still going strong thanks to brothers William and Jim Reid

Scottish 80s rock band The Jesus and Mary Chain were up next and while they were a little more subdued than Baxter Dury, they still knew how to put on an effortlessly flawless performance, over 30 years later.

As the night began to creep in, we waited for what soon turned out to be the best set of the day. Welsh band Underworld closed out the East stage with a performance like no other.

One of the best things about Forwards is the team’s dedication and crafting of the lineup. Last year we saw Confidence Man ahead of Erykah Badu and Primal Scream ahead of Aphex Twin. This year we saw Four Tet ahead of Loyle Carner and then Underworld before LCD Soundsystem.

While it may seem, at times, that the two should be the other way around – Four Tet’s electronic and dance heavy set closing out the day instead of Loyle Carner’s more languid and personable performance – it works.

Proceeding the headline set with such incredibly exciting electronic music from established artists like Underworld as well as newer acts like Confidence Man makes Forwards a festival unlike any other.

Underworld, another longstanding act, proved they are still able to bring the party

I don’t think there are words to describe how in awe I was watching Underworld. Kicking things off with their dance track Two Months Off, the band were in fine form and this was reciprocated by the crowd who went feral.

The strobe lights and wacky imagery on the screens were completely immersive: we weren’t standing in a field at an open-air festival, we were in the deep and dark rooms of an underground club watching a band that were completely self-assured, effortlessly cool and still in their prime.

There was a question of how LCD Soundsystem were going to follow that performance but any trepidation was completely assuaged as soon as we headed over to watch the last performance of the day.

James Murphy and co. looked completely at home topping off the bill for Forwards

The American electronic rock band looked right at home on the Forwards stage.

Their funky psychedelic sound was on display for their track Tonite, their jaunty electronic sound was prominent throughout Someone Great, and James Murphy’s piano skills and rock vocals reminiscent of Brandon Flowers resounded across the festival for All My Friends.

It was an epic end to a near-flawless day.

You have to wonder, with Forwards continuing to set itself apart as a festival haven, what exactly is the point in all of those other festivals?

All images: @darrencphotography

Read next:

• ‘Be more mushroom’ – Nine things we learnt at Shambala 2024
• Review: Forwards 2024, day one – ‘The best of the diverse and forward-thinking music scene’
• Review: Massive Attack, the Downs – ‘A pivotal climate forward event’
• Da Fuchaman – ‘I’m spreading love and unity, burning down segregation and manipulation’