LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Months earlier than its typically held, Forecastle Festival returned to downtown Louisville with thousands of attendees on Friday.
The annual music festival goes from Friday through Sunday at the Waterfront Park this weekend. It's previously been held in mid-July.
IMAGES | Crowds fill Waterfront Park for 20th anniversary of Forecastle
Two attendees reach for each other in the crowd at Forecastle on May 27, 2022.
Wale performs at Forecastle on May 27, 2022.
Dombresky and Noizu perform at Forecastle on May 27, 2022.
A person takes a video at Forecastle on May 27, 2022.
A child watches on a man shoulders at Forecastle on May 27, 2022.
A woman hula hoops at Forecastle on May 27, 2022.
Crowd watches performances at Forecastle on May 27, 2022.
Chelsea Cutler performs at Forecastle on May 28, 2022.
Crowd watches performances at Forecastle on May 27, 2022.
Crowd watches performances at Forecastle on May 27, 2022.
A person takes a selfie at Forecastle on May 28, 2022.
Dombresky and Noizu perform at Forecastle on May 27, 2022.
Chelsea Cutler performs at Forecastle on May 28, 2022.
Crowd watches performances at Forecastle on May 27, 2022.
Louisville skyline behind the crowd at Forecastle on May 28, 2022.
People pose for a photograph at Forecastle on May 28, 2022.
People pose for a photograph at Forecastle.
Earl Sweatshirt performs at Forecastle.
Crowd watches performances at Forecastle on May 27, 2022.
Crowd watches performances at Forecastle on May 27, 2022.
Dombresky and Noizu perform at Forecastle on May 27, 2022.
A man twirls a baton at Forecastle.
Three people take photos at a selfie ring at Forecastle on May 28, 2022.
Crowd watches performances at Forecastle on May 27, 2022.
People walk into Forecastle on May 27, 2022.
A person wearing a sailor's hat walks into Forecastle on May 28, 2022.
Crowd watches performances at Forecastle on May 27, 2022.
Crowd cheers during a performance at Forecastle on May 28, 2022.
Crowd watches performances at Forecastle on May 27, 2022.
Crowd watches performances at Forecastle on May 27, 2022.
Rapper Wale performs at Forecastle on May 27, 2022.
Crowd watches performances at Forecastle on May 27, 2022.
Two attendees reach for each other in the crowd at Forecastle on May 27, 2022.
Crowd watches performances at Forecastle on May 27, 2022.
Wale performs at Forecastle on May 27, 2022.
Two attendees reach for each other in the crowd at Forecastle on May 27, 2022.
Wale performs at Forecastle on May 27, 2022.
Wale performs at Forecastle on May 27, 2022.
People walk into the performance area at Forecastle.
Crowd watches performances at Forecastle on May 27, 2022.
A person smiles at Forecastle.
Crowd watches performances at Forecastle on May 27, 2022.
Wale performs at Forecastle on May 27, 2022.
Earl Sweatshirt performs at Forecastle.
Two people take a photo by the sign at Forecastle on May 28, 2022.
People walk across the bridge at Forecastle on May 28, 2022.
A person takes a selfie at Forecastle on May 28, 2022.
Chelsea Cutler performs at Forecastle on May 28, 2022.
Chelsea Cutler performs at Forecastle on May 28, 2022.
Chelsea Cutler performs at Forecastle on May 28, 2022.
The crowd watches a performance at Forecastle on May 28, 2022.
Mast stage at Forecastle on May 28, 2022.
People meet at Forecastle on May 28, 2022.
Two people walk into Forecastle on May 28, 2022.
Two people walk through the crowd at Forecastle on May 28, 2022.
WDRB's Joel Schipper interviews an attendee at Forecastle on May 28, 2022.
Wale performs at Forecastle on May 27, 2022.
After rain early in the afternoon, skies cleared for performers and attendees alike as Charlotte Sands and The Homies kicked off the 20th annual music festival. Rappers Duckwrth, Wale and Earl Sweatshirt all performed in the early evening.
Some rain later in the evening didn't deter attendees from watching Louisville native Jack Harlow perform. Porter Robinson, Clairo, Still Woozy and Coin were all scheduled to perform Friday night as well.
There are three stages for performers for the festival that expects to host more than 70,000 people. A new walking bridge was built to accommodate crowds moving from different areas of the venue.
the flavors are melting on my tongue š© check out our food vendors for delicious bites around waterfront park! and yes - vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options are available! pic.twitter.com/sv1mLwPXMW
— Forecastle Festival (@forecastle) May 27, 2022
"It feels great, it's really exciting," Ted Heinig, AC Entertainment President, said to WDRB earlier Friday. "Waterfront Park and Louisville are great partners and allow us to stage an amazing world-class event. That's really what it's about is making sure we can put in the infrastructure, the people that we need and have the local partners and we love Louisville and Louisville has always been very supportive of us."Ā Ā
Across the river, Jeffersonville is hosting Abbey Road on the River, a music festival that brings in Beatles fans. The two music festivals are expected to create $7.4 million in impact, according to city officials. That revenue is based on ticket sales, hotel stays, ride-sharing costs and retail impact.
On Saturday, Tame Impala, Phoebe Bridgers, 6lack and Lane 8, among other artists, are scheduled to perform. Tyler, the Creator, Rufus Du Sol, Alison Wonderland are on the lineup for Sunday. To see the complete lineup, click here.
Festival gates open at 1 p.m. each day with music going until around 11 p.m.Ā For information on day and weekend passes,Ā click here.
Related Stories:
- Downtown Louisville expects big economic impact from Forecastle Festival
- What's new at the Forecastle Festival? Here's what attendees need to know
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