Photos By: Elizabeth Carrigan
Every year for the last 18 years, the minds behind Louisville’s Forecastle Festival have consistently produced one of the region’s top music festival experiences with a beach party vibe unlike anything around. Returning to Louisville’s Waterfront Park along the Ohio River, Forecastle boasts a stacked lineup with top musical performers from around the world. Featuring over 50 artists across multiple stages, Forecastle has a reputation of being one of the best run mid-sized city festivals in the country. Complimenting the stacked lineup is a maritime theme, a Kentucky Bourbon Lounge, Hunter S. Thompson inspired Gonzo Bar, and an emphasis on activism that makes Forecastle extremely unique. In 2011, Forecastle Founder JK McKnight created a foundation to help protect some of earth’s last remaining biodiversity hot spots. He called this the Forecastle Foundation, and it will once again be making its return to help give back to environmental conservation efforts around the world!
This year’s edition of the Forecastle Music Festival lineup features a few local boys making their return to Kentucky. The two-time Grammy winning rock band from right down the road in Bowling Green, Cage The Elephant, will be making their return to Forecastle for the third time! Previously performing in 2015 and 2017, this year marks the first time the band will be taking the stage as a headliner! Fresh of their most recent Grammy win for best rock album “Social Cues,” Cage The Elephant is poised to rock the Mast Stage in what should be one of their most electrifying festival performances yet.
In addition to Cage The Elephant, local hip hop star Jack Harlow will be making his return to Forecastle for the second time! Third, if you count his surprise guest appearance with Portugal. The Man during their set last year. Born and raised in Louisville, Jack Harlow launched his career in 2015 and has been on the rise ever since. Recently, Harlow made his national television debut on “The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon” and released a music video for his song “Whats Poppin,” topping 12 million views in just two months. Harlow is on his biggest nationwide tour to date making stops in a number of cities as well as appearances at Boston Calling Festival and his hometown Forecastle Festival. You’re not going to want to miss this local boy throw down on Saturday! We might even be lucky enough to see a surprise appearance by fellow Louisville hip-hop artist Bryson Tiller.
Acoustic rock icon Jack Johnson and English pop rock band The 1975 will be joining Cage The Elephant as the other two headliners for this year’s Forecastle Festival. In addition to the three headliners, 51 other acts will be performing including Tash Sultana, Umphrey’s McGee, Grace Potter, Goose, Troyboi, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Third Eye Blind, Manchester Orchestra, Gryffin, Brockhampton, Drew Holcomb and many more. Each day brings something new and exciting to the waterfront and you’re not going to want to miss a second of it! Don’t pass up on your chance to get tickets to Louisville’s best summer time beach party before prices increase! Check out the full Forecastle Festival 2020 lineup below!
GET YOUR TICKETS FOR FORECASTLE 2020 HERE!