EARMILK EARMILK
  • NEW MUSIC
    • DANCE
    • ELECTRONIC
    • EXPERIMENTAL
    • HIP-HOP
    • INDIE
    • POP
    • ROCK
  • INDUSTRY NEWS
    • DOCUMENTARIES
    • EVENTS
    • FASHION
    • LIFESTYLE
    • MUSIC GEAR
    • MUSIC INDUSTRY
    • TECHNOLOGY
  • OPINION
  • ALBUM REVIEWS
  • GEAR REVIEWS
  • INTERVIEWS
  • FEATURES
    • FESTIVALS
    • EXCLUSIVES
    • LISTS
    • CONTESTS
    • Photo Journals
  • SERIES
    • Artist to Watch
    • Under The Crust
    • Flashback Friday
    • Suicide Sundaes
    • Daily 2%
    • The Club
    • Weekend Selector
    • Mashup Mondays
    • Artist Remixed
    • Wobble Wednesday
    • Night Rumours
    • Indie Sabbath
    • Straight No Chase
    • Straight From the Teet
  • Jobs
  • About EARMILK
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Submit Music
EARMILK EARMILK
EARMILK EARMILK
  • NEW MUSIC
    • DANCE
    • ELECTRONIC
    • EXPERIMENTAL
    • HIP-HOP
    • INDIE
    • POP
    • ROCK
  • INDUSTRY NEWS
    • DOCUMENTARIES
    • EVENTS
    • FASHION
    • LIFESTYLE
    • MUSIC GEAR
    • MUSIC INDUSTRY
    • TECHNOLOGY
  • OPINION
  • ALBUM REVIEWS
  • GEAR REVIEWS
  • INTERVIEWS
  • FEATURES
    • FESTIVALS
    • EXCLUSIVES
    • LISTS
    • CONTESTS
    • Photo Journals
  • SERIES
    • Artist to Watch
    • Under The Crust
    • Flashback Friday
    • Suicide Sundaes
    • Daily 2%
    • The Club
    • Weekend Selector
    • Mashup Mondays
    • Artist Remixed
    • Wobble Wednesday
    • Night Rumours
    • Indie Sabbath
    • Straight No Chase
    • Straight From the Teet
  • Electronic
  • Festival
  • Uncategorized

Lost in the Woods: Why Forbidden Forest 2025 Was Next-Level

  • June 24, 2025
  • Aidan Grant
Total
0
Shares
0
0

With an exceptional lineup featuring sets from some of the biggest names in drum & bass, house, and electronic music, Forbidden Forest proved to be one of the standout festivals of the year. Set against the scenic backdrop of Belvoir Castle, stepping into the forest felt like entering a mystical world of its own. Stages were scattered throughout the grounds, ensuring there was never a dull moment- though the real challenge was deciding which of the phenomenal artists to catch at any given time.

And the crowd? Nothing short of electric. The festival drew a community of people genuinely passionate about electronic music, which elevated the overall experience of the festival. Mornings often began with someone playing tracks from the lineup, and the atmosphere was filled with smiles, laughter, and an all-around feel-good vibe.

With all of that in mind, I wanted to take a moment to highlight some of my favorite performances. So without further ado, here they are.

My favourite performance, without a doubt, was Hybrid Minds. Being an avid fan of liquid drum and bass, I had high hopes leading up to their set, and they did more than deliver. From the moment they stepped on stage, the atmosphere shifted into something truly special. Their signature blend of rolling basslines and ethereal melodies wrapped around the crowd, and when they brought out a guest vocalist, it elevated the whole experience- the rich, emotive vocals added even more depth and beauty to an already captivating set. As someone who's obsessed with their track "Touch", hearing it live gave me chills; it was surreal to sing along with hundreds of others to a song I’ve played on repeat for years. The MC’s call to hug your friends created a wave of wholesome energy, with strangers embracing and smiling like old companions. I even ran into a couple I’d met on the way to the festival, and we ended up dancing and singing together for the entire set. It was one of those rare, euphoric moments where everything aligned perfectly- music, people, and pure emotion.

Another fantastic performance came from none other than Josh Baker, an artist I wasn't overly familiar with- allowing a blank canvas and an off-the-cuff take on his music and experiencing it live. That said, it was a pleasant surprise just how enjoyable I found his set. Hailing from Manchester and sitting at the forefront of a new wave of electronic artists, Josh brought a distinct energy that instantly drew in the crowd. His sound- high-tempo house with a rave-ready edge, felt tailor-made for the festival setting. Tracks like "Back It Up", already a low-key anthem among underground circles, hit even harder live with a euphoric momentum that had everyone around me dancing nonstop. You could feel his deep-rooted connection to rave culture in every drop and transition. Even without knowing many of the tracks, I found myself completely immersed. It’s sets like these that remind you how powerful music discovery can be. Josh Baker turned a casual listen into one of my standout memories of the weekend.

As someone who grew up on a healthy diet of DnB but had never seen Wilkinson live, I went in with high expectations- and somehow he managed to eclipse them. Outdoors, under the night sky and surrounded by a crowd completely dialled in, his set delivered from the first beat to the last. Each drop hit with purpose, and tracks like "Used to This" and "Afterglow" sparked instant reactions across the crowd- arms in the air, heads moving, people just completely caught up in the moment. It wasn’t all built on pace; it was carefully constructed and perfectly executed- a strong reminder of why Wilkinson sits at the top of the scene.

Last but not least, Prospa was one of the acts that I was looking forward to most on the week  Forbidden Forest was due to commence, and they delivered a set that felt both timeless and urgent. Hailing from Leeds and now calling London home, they’ve created a sound that nods to early house and rave without feeling like a nostalgia act. Their mix played with sudden stops and rises that caught everyone’s attention, leading into drops that landed perfectly every time. It wasn’t just about the music, it was the way they controlled the flow of the night, guiding the crowd through waves of sound with confidence. You could feel their deep connection to the roots of the scene, but what they delivered was unmistakably their own, allowing them to stand out amongst a collection of incredible performances.

As the sun set behind the castle and the forest came alive for the last time this year, the wonder of Forbidden Forest truly revealed itself. It wasn’t just the music or the setting- it was the sense of belonging, the shared moments between strangers turned friends, and the kind of joy that only a festival like this can spark. Whether you danced under the stars or wandered through the winding paths between stages, Forbidden Forest exceeded a weekend away, it was an experience that stays with you long after the last track fades.

If you missed it this year, trust me, it’s one you’ll want to catch next time. With Early Bird tickets for next year now available, don’t wait to get yours; grab them while they’re still there: Tickets Here

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Share 0
Share 0
Related Topics
  • electronic
  • Event
  • Festival
  • Hybrid Minds
  • wilkinson
Aidan Grant

Previous Article
Tamta
  • Indie
  • Mainstage
  • Pop

Tamta flips the script with dual-powerhouse album ‘THE VILLAIN HEROINE’

  • June 24, 2025
  • Natalie Patrick
View Article
Next Article
  • Alternative Rock
  • Experimental
  • Indie
  • Rock

Packaging releases first single, "Running Through the Airport"

  • June 25, 2025
  • Donovan Wilkins
View Article
You May Also Like
View Article
  • Club Dance
  • Electronic
  • New Music
  • Techno

sim0ne' s new single 'space cadet' is out of this world

  • August 5, 2025
View Article
  • Club Dance
  • Electronic
  • Festival

Creamfields 2025 Boasts a Blockbuster Lineup: Chase & Status, Anyma, Swedish House Mafia & Beyond

  • August 5, 2025
View Article
  • Event Review
  • Feature
  • Festival

Dekmantel 2025: Amsterdam's electronic music laboratory delivers another masterclass [Event Review]

  • August 4, 2025
View Article
  • Electronic
  • Electronic
  • Indie
  • New Music
  • Pop

Milk & Bone make big promises for new EP on "Bloodshot"

  • August 4, 2025
View Article
  • Drum and Bass
  • Electronic
  • New Music

Goddard and Billy Lockett channel heartache into drum and bass fury on "live for nothing."

  • August 3, 2025
View Article
  • Dance
  • Electronic
  • Hip-Hop
  • New Music
  • Soul

Exp., Meron T, JAY MALAKHI, and Maydien capture catharsis in collaboration on “Leave Me Dry”

  • August 3, 2025
View Article
  • Electronic
  • Hip-Hop
  • Mainstage
  • New Music

Monro makes feeling “Lonely [Alt]” sound cool on new alt-hip-hop banger

  • August 3, 2025
View Article
  • Electronic
  • Experimental
  • Indie
  • Indie Pop
  • New Music

Bang finds catharsis in new track “Between Us” [Music Video]

  • August 3, 2025
Popular Music
  • Take flight with "Plane Jane" from breakout artist Lexie
    • August 6, 2025
  • Monterey J pays ode to a thriving creative community on 'Welcome 2 South London'
    • August 6, 2025
  • Levi Robin shares soul-stirring indie folk single "When the Sun Comes Out"
    • August 5, 2025
  • “Holy Ghost” is the new addictive track you didn’t know you needed from Brittany Campbell (01L4N)
    • August 5, 2025
  • Joviale is preparing us for winter with new single EP release "snow"
    • August 5, 2025
Recent Scoops
  • Jay Tone is carving out his space with "Puzzles"
    • July 7, 2025
  • Matt Oakley is redefining country music with heart, soul and modernity
    • May 5, 2025
  • Texas’ Blacktop Mojo does rock music the way it should be done
    • April 29, 2025
  • Tha Rapper Haiti blends authentic style with musical passion
    • April 28, 2025
Community Voices
  • From Machismo To Mujeres: Women As The Face Of Reggaeton
    • July 14, 2022
  • Tyler the creator
    4 things I learned on the 'Call Me If You Get Lost' tour
    • March 31, 2022
  • 4 things every artist needs to think about in 2022
    • January 27, 2022
  • The TikTok Takeover of Hip-Hop
    • January 11, 2022

EARMILK EARMILK
  • Jobs
  • About EARMILK
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Submit Music
All Milk. No Duds.

Input your search keywords and press Enter.