Officially marking the start of summer, in the unique way that only Forbidden Forest can, this stellar eighth edition will be welcoming a Forbidden Family of more than 30,000 gathering in the grounds of the stunning Belvoir Castle in Nottinghamshire. Taking place across three enchanted days on a new weekend of 2-4 June, with Friday now going ‘live’, welcoming the world renowned Glitterbox and Defected as Friday stage hosts with full production and a superstar line up to boost.
Forbidden Forest is a forest rave like no other, where music, laughter, nature and friendship unite in the forest to the soundtrack of some of the most outstanding global acts in electronic music today.
2023 Festival goers can expect the best of the best talent across House, Tech House, Techno and D’n’B, with its biggest line up to date of over 50 outstanding artists that just got even bigger!
Following the festival’s impressive line up announcement back in November, one of the hottest tech artists on the planet right now, Michael Bibi, has just been announced as the latest act to join the stellar line up.
Founder of the famous record label Solid Grooves, the unstoppable Michael Bibi is set to take the forest by storm. This will be his second Forbidden performance, having treated Forbidden Forest festival goers to a surprise B2B set with Skream in 2019. Nothing comes between him and making sure that his musical input keeps the party swinging. Bibi’s raw passion for playing and making music, combined with his love for the party scene, has seen him deliver stand out performances at the likes of We Are FSTVL, Parklife and Creamfields, as well as his own night at the famous DC10 in Ibiza. We might not know his Forbidden setlist yet, but we can be sure it’s going to be very special.
Massano will join Bibi and bring his melodic techno vibes to the Forest. Inspired by Faithless, Camelphat, Eric Prydz and Pete Tong, Massano’s love for house and techno started at a young age. His recognisable euphoric, bold sound thrives in his most recent release Human Aura and his career continues to succeed at a mind-blowing rate. Described as ‘one to watch’ by Resident Advisor, Massano has released on labels including Afterlife, Oddity, Running Clouds and his own imprint Eternity Sounds and has support from some of the biggest names in the industry including Tale of Us and Kevin De Vries.
Secondcity, known for his groovy tech house beats which take inspiration from both the UK and Chicago, will take Forbidden fans on a pan-Atlantic musical journey. He is best known for his song ‘I Wanna Feel’, which peaked at number one in the UK Singles Chart in 2014 and racked up almost 100 million streams on Spotify alone. His rise in the industry continues and he’s sure to bring his unparalleled energy to the Forest.
Jess Bays, tipped as ‘one to watch’ by DJ Mag, also joins the line up. Jess has hosted regular shows on Capital Dance and Rinse FM, as well as produced remixes for the likes of Rudimental, Becky Hill and Jax Jones. It’s an exciting time for her as she has just unveiled her new label imprint Superstore Records in partnership with Good Company which is behind her first release ‘Temptation’ which went viral on UK & Ireland Spotify. There’s no stopping this powerhouse!
Forbidden Fridays will never be the same, with organisers revealing that for 2023, the Forest will be opening two live stages in the main arena on the Friday night complete with full production and stellar line ups from world renowned party brand Glitterbox and the famous Defected record label which is one of the longest running independent labels of its kind, setting the standard for house music in the UK. This is the first time there has been live music on the Friday night alongside the Forbidden Silent Disco – both of which are exclusive to campers.
Conceptualised in 2015, Glitterbox is a nightlife phenomenon. Its parties bring some of the world’s most respected DJs and emerging talents for a soundtrack that showcases dance music in its purest forms. Moving mind, body and soul, Glitterbox events bring dancers, fierce performers, drag queens and music together to create truly unforgettable moments on dance floors across the world.
Headlining the Glitterbox stage will be Grammy Award nominated DJ and producer Todd Terry, who has been engulfed in the dance music scene since he first started listening to European dance music records growing up in Brooklyn. Already devoted to turntables, he heard something different in those tracks, and he went for the difference, stating “I never got a break in New York, but England happened right away, so I catered to them.” In any event, the Todd Terry sound was born. He is one of the world’s most celebrated figures in dance music and with almost two decades of dance floor domination under his belt, Todd’s productions go from strength to strength.
It will also welcome house favourites The Shapeshifters, best known for their number one single Lola’s Theme which went to number one in the UK Singles Chart in July 2004 and earned them a Brit Award in 2005.
They’ll be joined by Fat Tony,one of the party scene’s most notoriously hedonistic DJs who has also become one of the UK’s most recognised meme curators, Melvo Baptiste, a fan favourite of the Glitterbox roster with a reputation as the ‘ultimate good-time selector’ and Gina Breeze, known for her signature sound that blend influences from across genres and the world together.
Defected is one of the most respected and identifiable labels around the world. Over on this stage, one of the planet’s biggest selling dance duos Groove Armada, famous for hits I See You Baby and Superstylin’, will host a DJ set. Techno heavyweight Darius Syrossian will also bring the grooves as he makes his return to Forbidden for the eighth time. Low Steppa, described by RA as ‘one of the most vital and influential house artists of the present day’ will join them, bringing his unique sound and infectious energy to the Belvoir Castle grounds.
Winners of Defected’s 2022 Unsung Heroes DJ talent competition, Paige Tomlinson and Rio Tashan, will also make their mark on the forest for the first time. Liverpool based Paige is a regular at some of the UK’s biggest parties and has supported the likes of Darius Syrossian and East End Dubs, whilst Rio is a renowned face at popular London clubs Studio 338 and McQueen.
Described as a ‘unique raving experience with an amazing atmosphere’ by fans who attended last year, Forbidden Forest 2023 is one not to miss.
Secure your tickets from just £6 at www.forbidden-forest.co.uk and spread over four easy payments rather than the full festival ticket price.
Event Info
Forbidden Forest Festival
Belvoir Castle
Nottinghamshire
2-4 June 2023
Campsite Access:
Friday midday – 10pm
Saturday 7am – 4pm.
No entry after 4pm Saturday.
Glitterbox x Defected Takeover
Friday only
11pm – 4am
Silent Disco:
10pm – 3am Fri / Sat / Sun
Day Tickets:
Midday – 6pm Sat / Sun
Forbidden Forest 2023 line-up (A-Z)
- Alisha
- Aluna (of AlunaGeorge)
- Andy C
- Beccs Vernon (JUST ADDED)
- Ben Hemsley
- Bru-C
- Camelphat
- Crazy P Soundsystem
- Darius Syrossian (JUST ADDED)
- Darkzy & Window Kid
- Denis Sulta
- Eli Brown
- Example
- Fat Tony (JUST ADDED)
- Fleur Shore
- Folamour
- Franky Wah
- Gina Breeze (JUST ADDED)
- Girls Don’t Sync
- Groove Armada DJ (JUST ADDED)
- Hannah Laing
- Hannah Wants
- Hedex
- High Contrast
- Horse Meat Disco
- Hot Since 82
- Hybrid Minds
- Jess Bays (JUST ADDED)
- Latmun
- Layla Benitez
- Low Steppa (JUST ADDED TO FRIDAY)
- Luude
- Marco Carola
- Massano (JUST ADDED)
- Martin Ikin
- Melvo Baptiste (JUST ADDED)
- Michael Bibi (JUST ADDED)
- MK
- Nathan Dawe
- Paige Tomlinson (JUST ADDED)
- Patrick Topping
- Pretty Girl
- Rebūke
- Rio Tashan (JUST ADDED)
- Sarah Story
- Schak
- Secondcity (JUST ADDED)
- The Shapeshifters (JUST ADDED)
- Skepsis
- Solardo
- SYREETA
- Todd Terry (JUST ADDED TO FRIDAY)
- Wilkinson
- 24Hr Garage Girls
Secure your tickets from just £6 at www.forbidden-forest.co.uk and spread over four easy payments rather than the full festival ticket price.
