Forever Now Festival Confirms Inaugural Line Up For 2025

Today the highly anticipated line-up is revealed for the first ever edition of the Forever Now Festival, a brand new one day festival that will take place at Milton Keynes’ National Bowl on the 22 June 2025. A celebration of alternative culture, the event will explore the cultural phenomenon of the dark side of creativity, featuring many of the greatest pioneers of new wave, post-punk, psychedelia and alternative rock. From electronic innovators Kraftwerk to punk icon Billy Idol (Generation X)and alt-rock legends The The, Death Cult, Johnny Marr, The Psychedelic Furs and The Jesus & Mary Chain, the festival will be a unique gathering for fans of post-punk music, fashion and literature, with a line-up unlike any other in the UK. 

Forever Now is more than just a festival, it’s a vibrant homage to the creativity and countercultural spirit born from the late 70s and early 80s that remains just as influential to present day culture. From the fashionably dark to the fiercely unconventional, all are welcome to revel in a day of unforgettable music and community. This is a festival where nostalgia meets discovery, where new and devoted fans unite, and where forever truly begins now. This will be the UK sister event of the critically acclaimed Cruel World Festival that takes place in Pasadena, California. Leading Forever Now‘s monumental line-up are the German electro pioneers Kraftwerk. Bringing together electronic music computer animations and performance art, Kraftwerk concerts are a true “Gesamtkunstwerk”, a total work of art. They’re joined by The The, who made one of the most anticipated comebacks of the year in 2024 with their first album in 24 years, and the legendary Billy Idol will bring electrifying stage presence and timeless hits like Rebel Yell and White Wedding.

Death Cult, the precursor to The Cult, will evoke the darkly powerful spirit of their early years, and fans can look forward to a special performance from Johnny Marr (The Smiths) and his solo career have solidified his place as one of music’s greatest guitar legends. Gothic rock icon Peter Murphy (Bauhaus) will deliver a spellbinding performance, as will The Psychedelic Furs, whose atmospheric soundscapes and poetic lyrics have influenced generations. The Jesus & Mary Chain will bring their feedback-drenched set to the stage, while Happy Mondays will infuse the festival with their signature Madchester energy and The Damned will be celebrating 1980’s The Black Album, the gothic-punk masterpiece that changed the genre forever. Other unmissable acts include: Public Image Ltd, fronted by the ever-charismatic John Lydon (Sex Pistols), and Berlin, the synthpop pioneers best known for their global hit, Take My Breath Away. They’re joined by new wave, gothic rock and post punk fan favourites such as Theatre of Hate, She Wants Revenge, The Chameleons, The Motels and UK Decay. 

The day will feature two main music stages hosting unforgettable performances, alongside a third stage, The Echo Chamber, curated by renowned music journalist John Robb (Membranes / Goldblade). Through in-depth interviews, panel discussions, and artist conversations, The Echo Chamber will explore the stories behind the music, delving into the cultural movements and personal narratives that shaped this groundbreaking era. Forever Now is a festival where nostalgia meets discovery, where new and devoted fans unite, and where forever truly begins now. Pre-sale access starts from the 5th December with general sale starting at 10am on Friday 6th December.