FORWARDS Festival 2025 Takes a Massive Risk with Doechii Leading the Line-Up
Bristol’s FORWARDS Festival 2025 has just unveiled its headliners, and the reaction has been nothing short of explosive. With Doechii, Barry Can’t Swim, Ezra Collective, Jorja Smith, and The Last Dinner Party taking center stage, this year’s festival promises to be a melting pot of styles and energies. However, not everyone is on board with this direction. While some praise the festival for embracing genre diversity and artistic evolution, others argue that FORWARDS 2025 stray too far from its essence. Has this once-beloved festival made a bold, necessary change, or has it alienated its core audience?
A Line-Up That Breaks Traditions—For Better or Worse?
Since its inception, FORWARDS Festival has built a reputation for celebrating boundary-pushing acts. But this year’s lineup is arguably the most divisive yet. Let’s break it down:
Doechii: A rising powerhouse blending rap, R&B, and hyper-pop with a fearless, theatrical stage presence.
Barry Can’t Swim: A producer whose fusion of electronic music with jazz and indie has gained international acclaim.
Ezra Collective: A jazz outfit pushing sonic boundaries with Afrobeat, hip-hop, and funk influences.
Jorja Smith: A globally recognized R&B singer with a soulful voice and a dedicated following.
The Last Dinner Party: A British indie band making waves with their dramatic, theatrical performances and avant-garde appeal.
These names signal a clear shift from traditional festival line-ups, which often rely on big-name rock, electronic, or mainstream pop acts. Is this a step toward future-proofing the festival, or is it forcing change where none was needed?
Doechii: A Risk That Could Make or Break the Festival?
One of the most surprising choices on the 2025 line-up is Doechii, a genre-bending artist whose performances blend rap, R&B, and experimental sounds. While her fans hail her as a visionary, some festivalgoers feel her inclusion clashes with FORWARDS’ usual roster.
Her live performances are high-energy, unpredictable, and unapologetic—but is this the right fit for FORWARDS?
Some argue that Doechii represents the evolution of the festival, keeping it fresh and attracting a younger, more diverse audience. Others worry that she is too polarizing, potentially alienating long-time attendees.
Regardless of opinions, Doechii’s set will undoubtedly be one of the most talked-about performances of the festival.
Barry Can’t Swim: A Hidden Gem or an Experimental Gamble?
Barry Can’t Swim has gained critical acclaim for his unique ability to merge electronic music, indie rock, and jazz influences. But will his sound resonate with a festival crowd expecting something more conventional?
His inclusion represents a growing trend in genre-blending acts, and while this might excite fans of alternative electronic music, some argue that his style lacks the mass appeal needed for a festival headliner.
Will Barry Can’t Swim prove to be the festival’s secret weapon, or will his set leave mainstream attendees confused and disengaged?
Ezra Collective: Can Jazz Hold a Festival Crowd?
The decision to feature Ezra Collective on a major festival line-up is both bold and controversial. While their innovative jazz sound has won them fans worldwide, jazz has historically struggled to dominate festival main stages.
Will FORWARDS Festival attendees be open to their intricate arrangements and improvisational style, or will they find themselves checking their watches mid-set?
This move shows that Forwards is not afraid to take risks, but whether the gamble pays off remains to be seen.
Jorja Smith: A Safe Bet or a Tired Choice?
Jorja Smith is an established name with a massive following, making her a safer choice compared to the other more experimental acts on the list. But while she undoubtedly brings star power, some critics argue that she has been overused in festival line-ups in recent years.
Will her set bring a much-needed balance to the line-up, or will it feel predictable and uninspired?
The Last Dinner Party: Hype or Genuine Innovation?
The Last Dinner Party is one of the most divisive bands of the moment. Some call them a revolutionary force in indie music, while others dismiss them as an overhyped act riding a wave of manufactured buzz.
Their theatrical performances are undeniably attention-grabbing, but are they ready to take on a major festival like FORWARDS? Their inclusion feels like a high-stakes gamble—one that could either result in a legendary performance or a spectacular flop.
A Festival Facing an Identity Crisis?
With such a genre-blending, unconventional lineup, FORWARDS Festival 2025 raises serious questions about its future direction. While some fans are thrilled by the experimental approach, others feel that the festival is losing its identity.
Is this the reinvention FORWARDS needs to stay relevant, or is it straying too far from what made it special?
Will the mix of styles create an electrifying atmosphere, or will it lead to a fractured audience experience?
Does the inclusion of jazz and avant-garde artists signal a fresh new era, or is it alienating the festival’s loyal fanbase?
These debates will only intensify as the festival draws closer.
The Online Backlash: Fans Are Divided
Social media reactions to the Forwards 2025 announcement have been explosive.
Some fans praise the festival for showcasing diverse, boundary-pushing talent.
Others slam the line-up, accusing organizers of ignoring the festival’s core audience.
Some argue that FORWARDS should have included at least one legacy act to balance the lineup.
The festival’s bold choices have certainly made it one of the most talked-about events of the year, but whether this conversation translates into ticket sales or controversy-driven disappointment remains to be seen.
FORWARDS 2025: A Defining Moment for the Festival’s Future
As FORWARDS Festival 2025 approaches, one thing is clear: this year’s line-up is either a stroke of genius or a step too far.
With its genre-defying headliners, unconventional choices, and ambitious vision, FORWARDS is taking risks that few festivals dare to take. But will these risks pay off in the form of a groundbreaking festival experience, or will they alienate long-time fans and dilute the festival’s identity?
Regardless of where you stand, one thing is certain—FORWARDS Festival 2025 will be one of the most talked-about events of the year.
Are you excited about this line-up, or do you think FORWARDS Festival has lost its way? The countdown begins.
