LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Crews are busy preparing the Kentucky Exposition Center for two huge music festivals expected to attract 370,000 people later this month.
More than 100 crew members are busy this week setting up the stage for Bourbon & Beyond and Louder than Life. Danny Wimmer Presents, the promoter of both festivals, released a new map and video renderings of the sites last month. In short, the festival site will move from just west of Interstate 65 to the open parking lots just south and west of Freedom Hall. Workers will remove the medians in the parking lot to allow for a flatter surface for festival-goers.
Bourbon & Beyond, which will be held at the Highland Festival Grounds from Sept. 11-14, is expected to draw 210,000 people and make an economic impact of more than $24 million. A week later, Louder Than Life will follow Sept. 18-21 with about 160,000 in expected attendance with another $18 million in expected economic impact.
Another big change is all festival passes will now include free access to 18 rides at Kentucky Kingdom, including the Ferris wheel, Skycatcher, Lightning Run and more. The rides will be open from 2-9 p.m., with the Ferris wheel open until 10 p.m.
Merchandise will now be sold inside the Expo Center, featuring lines to purchase gear, concessions, sponsor activations and lounge seating. Danny Wimmer Presents said in a news release Wednesday the new festival grounds will offer more shade, restrooms and room for fans to move around.
"This move has been years in the making, and we’re thrilled to finally bring it to life," Danny Wimmer said in a news release. "With Bourbon & Beyond, and Louder Than Life both growing year over year, we knew it was time for more space, more comfort, and more ways to elevate the fan experience beyond just the music. The new layout delivers so much to be excited about: expanded shade, indoor experiences, air-conditioned areas, and — thanks to our collaboration with Kentucky Kingdom — an amusement park inside the festival. It's a truly unique addition that brings incredible value to fans, along with more food options, more ways to cool off, and so much more to explore. I’m ecstatic because this is just the beginning of something truly special for our festivals in Louisville."
The festival site's move surely comes in part because one day of Louder Than Life was canceled in 2024 as the remnants of Hurricane Helen moved through Louisville. This new area for music fans has little grass and will drain better than the previous area. However, Danny Wimmer Presents said several turf zones will be laid down around the main stages and general admission areas so the entire space isn't just concrete.
"We never want to disappoint the fans, and moving across the street allows us to be able to have our festival no matter what the weather," said Doris Sims, the vice president of business development for Danny Wimmer Presents.
Parking will be on the Highland Festival Grounds this year, where the festivals have been held in past years.
The Bourbon & Beyond lineup this year includes Phish, Noah Kahan, Sturgill Simpson, the Lumineers and Jack White. The Louder Than Life lineup includes Slayer, Avenged Sevenfold, Deftones and Bring Me the Horizon.
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