The Forum was the brainchild of four friends: Michael Oyarzabal, Peter Hoare, Jason Dormon, and Mark Davyd, two of whom had previously been involved with the Rumble Club,[2] an irregular music event that took place in a variety of locations in Tunbridge Wells during the period 1988 to 1992 – bringing bands such as The Boo Radleys, Lush and Green Day to the area.

[3] In 2010, The Forum and one of its founders Jason Dormon were featured in The Independent's "Happy List", profiling people who make Britain a better place to live.

[5] The Forum has been credited as a key influence by people from the local area who have become successful in the music industry - including Jeremy Pritchard of Everything Everything[6] and Slaves.

These have included Adele,[1] Biffy Clyro,[8] Coldplay,[9] Ellie Goulding,[10] Green Day,[11] IDLES,[12] The Libertines,[13] Mumford & Sons,[1] Muse,[8] Oasis,[14] Royal Blood,[15] The Vaccines,[16] and Wolf Alice.

These have included Ash,[18] The Divine Comedy,[19] Enter Shikari,[20] Foals,[21] Frank Turner,[22] Graham Coxon, Keane, and Rag'n'Bone Man.