The Forever Now Festival debuts at the Milton Keynes Bowl in June 2025 – we cast an eye over an impressive line up.

The line-up has been unveiled for the debut edition of Forever Now—a groundbreaking one-day festival designed for music fans who relish a little nostalgia. Set against the iconic backdrop of The National Bowl in Milton Keynes, this monumental event will take place on 22 June 2025. This is the UK sister event of the critically acclaimed US festival Cruel World.
ALTERNATIVE CULTURE
An immersive tribute to alternative culture, this event delves into the compelling allure of creativity’s darker edge, showcasing legendary pioneers across new wave, post-punk, psychedelia, and alternative rock. From electronic trailblazers Kraftwerk to punk icon Billy Idol, alongside alt-rock giants The The, Death Cult, Johnny Marr, The Psychedelic Furs, and The Jesus & Mary Chain, this festival promises a one-of-a-kind experience for fans of post-punk music, fashion, and literature—boasting a line-up unrivalled in the UK.
Forever Now will bring together legendary artists across three electrifying stages, celebrating the dark, creative essence of alternative music. Among them, The Echo Chamber Stage—hosted by John Robb and Eugene Butcher—will offer a deep dive into the artistry, movement, and cultural impact of the genre. Through insightful discussions, it will unveil the stories behind iconic figures such as Rat Scabies (The Damned), Martha Davis (The Motels), Mark Burgess (The Chameleons), Terri Nunn (Berlin), Kirk Brandon & Stan Stammers (Theatre Of Hate), and Richard Jobson (The Skids/The Armoury Show), with more names yet to be announced.
FAMILIAR NAMES
The full lineup of the festival is jam packed with names you’ll remember:
Kraftwerk, The The, Billy Idol, Death Cult, Johnny Marr, Peter Murphy, Psychedelic Furs, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Happy Mondays, The Damned, Public Image Ltd, Berlin, Theatre of Hate, She Wants Revenge, Chameleons, The Motels and UK Decay
Getting to the Festival:
The best and greenest way to get to the festival is via coach. Big Green Coach is providing hassle-free and sustainable coach returns from a multitude of locations around the UK. Get the full details on the Big Green Coach site: Forever Now – Big Green Coach – The Events Travel Company
Tickets for the festival are available through the usual outlets: AXS / Ticketmaster / See Tickets
Grab them before they go. This should be a cracker!
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