Forever Now 2025: John Robb to host Q&As with “post-punk, gothic rock and new wave” icons on intimate literary stage

John Robb is set to host a Q&A series with names across the post-punk, gothic rock and new wave scene at Forever Now 2025.

• READ MORE: John Robb on his massive new goth book: “It’s simple: no Bowie, no scene”
  

The new festival will run across just one day and comes as a sister event of the US Cruel World festival. Taking place on June 22 at the National Bowl in Milton Keynes, the inaugural event will showcase alternative music, fashion and literature. Visit here for tickets.

After a teaser was shared, promising to explore “the darker underbelly of creativity, from new wave to post-punk, psychedelia and alt-rock”, the line-up was confirmed in December, with Kraftwerk, Johnny Marr, The The, Death Cult among the names mentioned.

Now, the festival has shared more details about The Echo Chamber stage – confirming that it will feature conversations with some of the most influential figures in post-punk, gothic rock, and new wave.

It will be hosted by John Robb, and is expected to “delve into the artistry, movement and culture through in-depth discussions with renowned artists, going behind the scenes to reveal their stories.”

Guests will include Rat Scabies, legendary drummer of The Damned; Martha Davis, renowned frontwoman of The Motels; The Chameleons’ frontman Mark Burgess and American actress and vocalist of Berlin.

Other names include Terri Nunn; Kirk Brandon and Stan Stammers of the British post-punk band Theatre of Hate; as well as Scottish musician Richard Jobson of The Skids and The Armoury Show.

“The Echo Chamber will go beyond run-of-the-mill interviews, offering rare insights into the evolution of punk and post-punk from those who truly lived it – the influence of literature, poetry, and political writing on the scene, the creative process behind the music and the cultural shifts that led to these revolutionary musical genres taking root,” reads a new description.

Speaking about the instalment, Robb also shared a statement which read: “I’m looking forward to going head to head with some of the key bands at Forever Now to get to the core of who they are and what they do and why they are here at Forever Now!”

Fans can also get involved by submitting questions on the festival’s Facebook Page.

Announcing the line-up last year, Steve Homer, CEO of AEG Presents, said: “We are delighted to present a festival that reflects the rich heritage of artists in the alternative music field. The day will feature some amazing artists, unique sets, and collaborations not seen on a UK stage before. As the birthplace of alt counterculture, the UK is the perfect home for a festival to pay homage to alternative creative artistry.’’

The Q&As from Robb also come after the Membranes frontman and journalist spoke to NME about his book detailing the origins and rise of goth in 2023.

“I’ve read a lot of books about the post-punk period and goth is always just dismissively kicked away,” Robb said. “It’s always really annoyed me that people have been quite sniffy about bands like Bauhaus or Killing Joke, despite them being some of the best art rock bands this country has produced. They were often looked down upon, all because they had a dark side and dressed up a bit.”

The post Forever Now 2025: John Robb to host Q&As with “post-punk, gothic rock and new wave” icons on intimate literary stage appeared first on NME.