Performances from Kraftwerk, The The, Billy Idol, Johnny Marr and Death Cult Crown a monumental celebration of creativity.
The first-ever edition of Forever Now Festival lit up The National Bowl, Milton Keynes yesterday, with a dazzling day of unforgettable performances and an atmosphere charged with the spirit of alternative creativity.
With a truly singular line-up celebrating the pioneers and vanguards of post-punk, new wave, goth and alternative rock, Forever Now delivered on its promise to be a one-of-a-kind homage to the darker, fiercely innovative edges of music and art.
German electronic trailblazers Kraftwerk delivered a mesmerising audio-visual masterclass to close the night, seamlessly blending sound, performance art and digital animation in their legendary “Gesamtkunstwerk” style. Earlier in the day, Billy Idol stormed the stage with an explosive set packed with timeless anthems like Rebel Yell and White Wedding, marking his first UK festival appearance in nearly a decade.
The The returned to UK festival stages with emotional weight and critical acclaim, following their hugely anticipated 2024 comeback. In a surprise moment that thrilled fans, Johnny Marr joined the band on stage for two songs, reuniting with Matt Johnson to deliver a powerful and poignant collaboration that underscored the shared legacy of two iconic musical voices.
Johnny Marr’s own solo set was a highlight of the day, filled with soaring melodies and guitar brilliance that had the crowd in raptures. Death Cult, channelling the raw, tribal energy of their early years, brought The Other Stage to a thunderous close with a darkly compelling performance that reminded fans exactly why their early material remains so revered.
Other standout performances came from Public Image Ltd, whose unflinching set fronted by the ever-compelling John Lydon reaffirmed the band’s enduring cultural relevance, and from icons including The Psychedelic Furs, Berlin, Chameleons, and more — a truly genre-defining assembly of musical innovators.
Across two main music stages and the immersive third stage – The Echo Chamber – Forever Now lived up to its vision: a festival where nostalgia meets discovery and creative rebellion still thrives.
Curated and hosted by celebrated journalist and musician John Robb, The Echo Chamber became a packed destination throughout the day. Intimate and insightful Q&A sessions featured trailblazing artists including Martha Davis (The Motels), Mark Burgess (The Chameleons), Terri Nunn (Berlin), Richard Jobson (The Skids / The Armoury Show), and more, delving into the personal stories, cultural shifts and literary influences that shaped the sound and legacy of a movement.
Fans from across the UK and beyond came together to honour the music, fashion, literature and defiant spirit of alternative culture in a bold and meaningful debut edition.
Forever Now Festival marks the new home for fans of the unconventional, the poetic, and the sonically bold. As the sister event to Goldenvoice’s celebrated Cruel World festival in California, this debut was a bold statement for the UK scene.
To follow the journey:
· Instagram: @forevernow_festival
· Facebook: Forever Now Festival UK
· X (Twitter): @forevernowuk
· TikTok: @forevernowfestival
