LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The music is blaring and fans are pouring into the Highland Festival Grounds at the Kentucky Expo Center for the first night of the 4-day Louder Than Life festival. 

Last week, more than 120,000 people packed the area for Bourbon & Beyond, and even more are expected to show up for the heavy metal rock festival featuring some of the top groups in the world. The festival is expected to attract more than 160,000 fans from all over the country to hear bands like Weezer, the Foo Fighters, and Green Day.

Fans we spoke to have been ready to rock since the gates opened. 

"We got here as soon as parking opened, we chilled in the car, and as soon as doors opened we came in!" said one excited fan. 

Hundreds of others also arrived early to get to the front of the line for merchandise from their favorite groups that they can’t find anywhere else.

Still others shopped for merchandise that supports a good cause, like Take Me Home -- the Kentucky Humane Society's SNIP clinic in Louisville that provides financial help for pet owners to have their animals spayed and neutered. 

The nonprofit's founder, Lori Hayes, said the performers have helped increase the value of some of the merch being sold.

IMAGES | Foo Fighters, Weezer headline 1st day of Louder Than Life

"All the bands sign stuff for us," Hayes said. "Everybody has been so amazing. They sign guitars, drumheads, they come out and do meet-and-greets with the fans. It's complete love for the animals and we’re so happy to be here and there’s so much good that happens after everybody leaves."

Hayes said the clinic has programs in Kentucky, North Carolina, New York and around the country thanks to "rock fans who get to know us and start their own spay and neutered programs to help low-income communities."

Throughout the festival’s run, more than 100 bands will perform across five different stages attracting fans of all ages. 

Putting on a festival this size, obviously requires a ton of help behind the scenes. That's why more than 2,000 people are staffing the event, and most of them are local residents. 

That also includes medical staff working three different emergency medical tents here.

With temps in the 80s expected for the next few days make sure you’re staying hydrated.

Many fans we spoke with Thursday were excited to see Code Orange and the Foo Fighters, both scheduled to perform around 7:30 p.m. The Foo Fighters are set to take the Loudmouth Stage at 8:45 p.m.

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