‘Silence is violence; voices have to be heard’: Antonia Cross on the importance of open discussions at festivals

Forwards Festival had a successful inaugural year in 2022, welcoming big names in the music and socio-political sphere.

Joining live music and topical debate to create a safe space for discussions on issues relevant to all.

The 2023 programme at The Information stage will tackle inequality in the media, the housing emergency, racism, sexism in story writing, black novelists and writers, queer stories, politics on TikTok and more.

“I started thinking about this year’s panels and speakers even before the end of Forwards last year,” Antonia Cross, the project leader of The Information stage at Team Love, tells Bristol24/7.

“The number one skill you need is to be just damn interested in everything, I’m a bit of a cultural magpie – through the year if I see a book, article, insta post, or even a small flyer or Facebook event for something relevant and fresh, or a collective of people brave enough to put their opinion out there I remember it.

“I’ve always been like this as far as I know, and then I remember our audience and what they want. So what do people that come to Forwards email us about, comment on our social media about, who they follow and what our music artists are chatting about.”

Headline speaker names for 2023 include BBC broadcaster, historian and BAFTA award winner David Olusoga with  journalist and housing rights activist, Vicky Spratt.

British Vogue’s contributing editor, author and LGBTIQA+ activist, Munroe Bergdorf will join author and founder of the recently shutdown gal-dem, Liv Little.

Iconic British artist Jeremy Deller with the artist, raver, provocator and founder of UK-based clothing brand Sports Banger, Jonny Banger, plus digital creator Danny Price with TikTok creators and comedians Grace Campbell and Josh Berry.

Collaboration and open-mindedness is the key when it comes to choosing what subjects to discuss at the festival.

“We try not to fall into boring and stereotypical chats – i.e asking trans speakers to only speak on trans issues or tokenistic inclusion of minoritised folk,” Antonia tells us.

“People have so much more to chat about and I think it sort of reveals some of the blindspots in your team if you fall into those holes.”

Antonia has also curated stages at Glastonbury festival. photo: Giugliotto

The team aim to put their Bristol audience above all else: “We’ve always been proud as a team that we’re making conversations available to the Bristol audience.

“We think Hay festival and Wilderness are cool, but we’re here for our Bristolians and we want those conversations here for a wider age range, and importantly different levels of understanding to feel included. These conversations are for you!”

The clue is in the name; Forwards Festival aims to bring about lasting positive change through their two day live event as well as year-round social initiatives.

Being forwards thinking is something the team champion and The Information stage offers a safe space for open discussions.

“Silence is violence. Voices have to be heard. Sharing knowledge and experience is so vital to make change and support communities,” Antonia explains when asked on the importance of creating a safe space for such debates.

“What we all try to acknowledge at the Information is the difference in how you book a musical act and a speaker. Yes, there is a vulnerability and a courage to sharing your musical skill – and that’s awesome. But there is a real leap to then sharing your opinion, unscripted to an audience who can then interact with you.

“People often talk from the currency of their own lived experience as well and that’s not to be sniffed at and certainly not taken for granted by our team.

“That’s a generosity that I’ll always have the highest respect for, and it’s a proper privilege to ensure that each person feels safe, respected and thanked for that.”

Main photo: courtesy of Plaster PR

Read next:

• Forwards Festival announce Information stage lineup
• Forwards Festival announce lineup for 2023
• Preview: Forwards Festival

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