Forecastles Finest: A Look Into Louisville’s Top Summer Music Festival

Cover photo taken by Amanda Cosenza

The Music

This year’s Forecastle lineup features a number of stellar musicians ready to make a splash along the banks of the Ohio River this July. Ranging in genre from rock to funk, hip-hop, dance, folk, and so much more; this year’s festival has a little bit for everyone to enjoy. The lineup also features music legends, festival professionals, and a solid mix of up and coming acts ready to capture your attention. Below is just a small selection of some of the performances you won’t want to miss! Don’t forget to check out the Forecastle after party shows on the Historic Belle of Louisville Steamboat with Moon Taxi and a Chromeo DJ set!

Photo By: Amanda Cosenza

Rock: This years lineup features some of the best selection of alternative rock at any summer festival. Living legends The Killers will be headlining on Friday and will put on a show that you won’t soon forget. Portugal. The Man and Judah & The Lion will also be performing on Friday. A late lineup change added the Cold War Kids onto this year’s lineup as well.

Dance/Hip-Hop: Forecastle also has a split selection of EDM and hip-hop acts throughout the weekend. DJs including Big Wild and Chromeo are just a few that will get you moving. Also be sure to check out the party cove to see a number of local DJs! Hip-hop legend Nelly will be taking the stage and Anderson .Paak and The Free Nationals will be your headlining act for Saturday. Playboi Carti and Denzel Curry are also a few hip-hop artists rounding out the lineup.

Folk: One of the staples of Forecastle is their diversity and selection of folk and country music. The Avett Brothers will be closing out the festival with a headlining set on Sunday. Maggie Rogers is one of the top acts to see with her unique folk pop sound! Other bands including Caamp, Midland, Dawes, Moon Taxi and local hero Tyler Childers are also fantastic folk and country sets that you shouldn’t miss!


Photo taken by Don Idio

The Bourbon

Every year Forecastle Festival showcases one of the best bourbon and drink experiences in the country. Located only miles from some of the world’s top bourbon distilleries, Forecastle is the perfect place to show off one of Kentucky’s most defining and oldest traditions. Kentucky produces 95% of the worlds bourbon and some of the rarest can be found in Forecastles Bourbon Lounge. A membership to the Bourbon Lounge gives you exclusive bourbon samples from The Rarities Bar, a unique experience diving into the mind of Hunter S. Thompson in the Lizard Lounge, and other bourbon bars that help support the Forecastle Foundation. If you’re more of a beer connoisseur then there’s even a special experience for you! Sierra Nevada has set up a Trip In The Woods Bar featuring a rare selection of barrel aged beer not found anywhere else. This one of a kind bourbon experience is something you are not going to want to miss out on!


Photo taken by Ginger Wesson

The Activism

The Forecastle Foundation has been around since the beginning of the festival and is stronger than ever. The Forecastle Foundation was set up to help protect the world’s natural awesome and support organizations that help protect biodiversity hotspots around the world. Forecastle donates a portion of every ticket sale as well as bourbon, food, and merchandise sales to the foundation. Organizations including KNLT, Nature Conservancy, Guayaki Foundation, and Future Fund Land Trust are just some of the organizations supported by the Forecastle Foundation. It’s a breath of fresh air seeing a festival give back to help protect and save or planet.

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