Chart-topping Charli XCX has been confirmed as the main music stage headliner for the Forwards festival on The Downs. It will be a Bristol festival debut for the singer, who sold-out a gig at London’s Alexandra Palace last week.
Charli XCX - real name Charlotte Aitchison - started her career in 2008 when she posted songs on Myspace, but was quickly spotted and signed up for a major record deal. Since then, she has released five albums, the latest, Crash, hitting the number one spot earlier this year.
Following her current UK and North American tours, the avant-pop performer and singer-songwriter-producer, will take the stage at Forwards on the Saturday night. Charli XCX is known for speaking out, stepping back from social media and focusing on her mental health.
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Her groundbreaking debut documentary, Alone Together, united a global community of LGBTQ+ fans and she continues to be a leading voice of a generation since her landmark lockdown album, How I’m Feeling Now. Putting her own spin on mainstream pop, Charli XCX is behind some of the biggest dancefloor tracks of the last decade, from hits like Out Out, I Love It and Good Ones, to collaborations with Cardi B, Rita Ora, Iggy Azalea, and David Guetta.
Forwards is the biggest new international music festival for Bristol, and the first collaboration for AEG Presents and Team Love. The two-day festival replaces the Downs Festival of recent years.
As well as the two main music stages, Forwards will also platform urgent, forward-thinking conversations. There will be a discussion on race by former footballer John Barnes in conversation with Bristolian poet Lawrence Hoo, as well as discussions on trans rights and gender fluidity, the cost of living crisis, feminist agendas and the music industry today, plus more. Other speakers include Lemn Sissay, Jack Monroe, Jay Rayner and Shon Faye.
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Charli XCX will headline the Saturday night of Forwards and appear after Jamie XX, Little Simz, Khruangbin and many more acts. On the Sunday, the headliners are The Chemical Brothers, with Roisin Murphy, Caribou, Sleaford Mods and Spiritualized also on the bill.
The festival takes place on Saturday September 3 and Sunday September 4. Day tickets are now available from £56.89, with weekend tickets available from £102.14.
Concessions are available for children aged 5-15, local residents and low income individuals. For tickets click here.
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