THE DOWNS FESTIVAL RELEASES THE INFORMATION LINE UP FOR 2019

The Downs Bristol will feature a stellar bill of keynote speakers this year as part of The Information Area, which promises to deliver a thought-provoking and powerful programme on the most pressing issues facing society.

The Downs Bristol returns on August 31st with Lauryn Hill, Grace Jones and IDLES and once again, The Information Area which will feature topical discussion, debate and panels by day and by night, a line-up of live music, carefully curated by IDLES themselves.

Speakers and Exhibitors

The Information Area will play host to some of the UK’s most influential speakers of our time including Desree, award-winning Charlie Craggs and Dr. Saba Shafi, who are ready to bring their stories, tales and experiences to The Downs Bristol for visitors to experience first-hand.

Dr. Saba Shafi will be headlining The Information Stage this year, the commercial director of the Advocacy Academy, a youth movement working to unleash the power of young people to change the world, Saba is sure to get the audience engaged with her worldly stories and first-hand experience on the influence of young people. 

Another powerful addition to the Information Stage is Charlie Craggs.  Charlie is an award winning trans activist and author, dubbed “the voice of the community” by Vogue. Her campaign Nail Transphobia helped revolutionise perspective, as she travelled around the UK with her pop-up nail salon offering members of the public the chance to have a conversation with a trans person in order to humanise the issue.

Authors of the ‘Black Girl Bible’, Slay in Your Lane, Yomi Adegoke and Elizabeth Uvibinene will be offering an insight into how individuals can flourish despite their limitations. Yomi is a multi-award winning journalist and author and Elizabeth is an award-winning marketing manager and together they have written a modern day masterpiece on race, feminism, popular culture and how they intersect, as well as class and politics.

Exploring intersectionality, justice and social commentary, Desree is a spoken word artist, writer and facilitator who uses words to express opinion on modern day issues and the impact they have on individual lives. As runner up in the 2018 Hammer & Tongue final and a TEDx speaker, she has featured at events all over the UK and internationally and is joining the line up at The Downs Bristol this year.

Scottish rapper, hip-hop artist and social commentator Darren ‘Loki’ McGarvey is a writer, columnist and hip-hop recording artist who has lived through extreme poverty, addiction and homelessness and uses his experiences to support others. Founder of the Volition Scotland, he encourages young people to express themselves through rap and music and this year will be coming to The Downs to inspire and motivate the Bristol crowds.

Movement of the moment Extinction Rebellion will be present on site, explaining just how the battle against climate change can be won.  Also exhibiting will be Anagram (Make Noise), Oculus Go, Nail Transphobia, Caring in Bristol, Aid Box Community, Sleep Pods, Protect our NHS, Greenpeace and many more.

Evening Musical Line-Up Programmed by IDLES

IDLES Joe Talbot, had this to say: “The mega babes of Downs Fest have asked us to pick some bands to play at The Information stage this year; we went for a line-up that was seamless and relentlessly beasty. They are all super-beauts. Don't miss them. Power.”

Milo’s Planes will be kick off musical proceedings following the programme of speakers. The punk/post hardcore band hailing from our very own Bristol are currently demoing their fourth album and are already well known for their incredible live gigs.

Next up will be Brighton based quintet DITZ who have garnered a reputation in the hardcore scene for their wild, energetic shows and have been described by Joe Talbot of IDLES as ‘the best band in Brighton and probably the world!’

South London new wave punks Talk Show will be playing the penultimate set at the Information Stage. Signed to Flexi White of The Maccabees’ new Yala! records venture, NME called them ‘one of the capital city’s most beguiling prospects.’

Closing The Information Stage are Heavy Lungs. Formed in May 2017 in Bristol, through friendship, and a desperate need for artistic and sonic self-expression and fronted by Danny Nedelko, namesake of the popular IDLES tune, in the two years they’ve been together they’ve gained a considerable amount of attention thanks to their raw musical output and riotous live presence.

The Downs Bristol returns for the fourth year and is an event for all the family. The announcement of The Information line up showcases another addition to Bristol’s largest one day festival. Growing each year, The Information comprises of three distinct parts; The Information Stage for speakers and performers, the Information Venue for panel discussions and talks, and the Information tent for charity and current affair exhibitors.  The Downs Bristol will continue to support discussion and development around current issues.

Tickets to attend The Downs festival (Saturday 31st August) are available online priced at £55 plus booking fee (www.thedownsbristol.com) and in person from Bristol Ticket Shop (Bristolticketshop.co.uk. Kids tickets are on sale at £15 (plus booking fee).
Reduced price tickets will be available to anyone unemployed or on income support, priced at £29.50. (these tickets are only available in person from Bristol Ticket Shop as supporting documentation and ID will need to be presented).

All tickets are subject to a £1 levy which goes towards the upkeep of The Downs.