LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Setup is already underway for two massive weekends of music in Louisville.

If you've driven down Interstate 65 near the fairgrounds, it's hard to miss the sight of crews setting up stages for next week's Bourbon & Beyond music festival.

Thousands of fans will flock to the Highland Festival Grounds at the Kentucky Exposition Center next Thursday, Sept. 19, for four days of music, food and bourbon through Sunday, Sept. 22.

Zach Bryan, Dave Matthews Band, Tyler Childers, Sting, Beck, Matchbox Twenty, The National, My Morning Jacket and The War on Drugs are some of the festival headliners. 

Other bands and artists include Whiskey Myers, Cody Jinks, Tedeschi, Trucks Band, Black Pumas, The Beach Boys, Mt. Joy, Fleet Foxes, Young the Giant, Maren Morris, The Head and the Heart, Teddy Swims and Melissa Etheridge.  

There will also be culinary and bourbon stages. Presenters on those stages include Jim Gaffigan and Kevin Bacon paired with celebrity chefs like Edward Lee, Amanda Freitag, Chris Santos and bourbon expert Chris Blandford.

Presenters on those stages include Jim Gaffigan and Kevin Bacon — paired with celebrity chefs. 

Organizers recommend bringing a clear bag, a sealed or empty water bottle, and a bottle of sunscreen.

Many VIP packages and tickets are sold out, but some single-day general admission passes and weekend general admission passes are still available.

To learn more, visit the Bourbon & Beyond website by clicking here. For ticket information, click here.

Louder Than Life

The following weekend, Louder Than Life will take over the Highland Festival Grounds from Sept. 26-29 for its 10th anniversary.

Mötley Crüe, Korn, Slipknot and Slayer will headline the festival. 

On top of the four headliners, Breaking Benjamin, Anthrax, Staind, Evanescence, Disturbed, Judas Priest and Dropkick Murphys join a lengthy list of acts that includes Louisville's Tantric.

Last year, the rock music festival brought people to Louisville from all 50 states and 22 countries to see Green Day, Foo Fighters, Tool, Pantera, Avenged Sevenfold and Weezer, bringing in a record 180,000 people for the festival.

Tickets are still available, including some VIP passes. 

For more information about the festival, click here. For ticket information, click here.

Special festival events

With record crowds expected for the festivals this year, there will also be multiple special events happening while the festivals are underway. 

Events during Bourbon & Beyond:

  • Bourbon & Beyond Kickoff Dinner - Wednesday, Sept. 18 at 6 p.m. Beam Distilling Co - The Kitchen Table - 522 Happy Hollow Road Clermont, KY 40110
  • Official Bourbon & Beyond After Party - Sept. 19-22 from 10 p.m.–2 a.m. (21+) Main Ballroom, Crowne Plaza, 830 Phillips Lane, Louisville, KY 40209
  • Mayorthon Bourbon & Beyond 5K - Saturday, Sept. 21 6 a.m. arrival, 8 a.m. start time. Kentucky Exposition Center, 937 Phillips Ln, Louisville, KY 40209
  • Mayor’s Bourbon Brunch and Bluegrass - Saturday, Sept. 21 from 11 a.m. –3 p.m. in NULU, 800 East Market St, Louisville, KY 40206 (FREE EVENT)
  • Daniel Nunnelee with Shante T at Zanzabar - Friday, Sept. 20 at 11 p.m. (21+) Zanzabar, 2100 S Preston St, Louisville, KY 40217
  • Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe - Saturday, Sept. 21 doors open at 10 p.m., show begins at 11 p.m. Headliners Music Hall, 1386 Lexington Rd, Louisville, KY 40206
  • Bad Nerves with Anemic Royalty at Zanzabar - Saturday, Sept. 21 at 11 p.m. (21+) Zanzabar, 2100 S Preston St, Louisville, KY 40217

Events during Louder Than Life:

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