Bourbon & Beyond Returns
Last year’s rain shortened festival makes the KY Expo Center its new home
The third year of Bourbon & Beyond wrapped an unforgettable weekend September 20-22 with 91,000 fans in attendance at the Highland Festival Grounds at KY Expo Center. Produced by premier independent festival producer Danny Wimmer Presents, the festival offered memorable experiences from top music talent, local and national bourbon distillers, and celebrity chefs that together celebrated the spirit of Louisville.
Foo Fighters, Robert Plant And The Sensational Space Shifters, Zac Brown Band, Daryl Hall & John Oates, John Fogerty, ZZ Top and nearly 50 artists in total across Bourbon & Beyond’s three stages captivated the audience, including several surprise moments. Foo Fighters welcomed special guest Revel Ian on guitar for their final song “Everlong.” The young son of Pearl Aday and Anthrax’s Scott Ian closed out the first night after Pearl opened the festival with her band on Friday. On Saturday, Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl sat in on drums with Squeeze for their classic hit “Black Coffee In Bed.”
Legendary vocalist Robert Plant ended Saturday night with a mesmerizing performance of songs from the Led Zeppelin songbook as well as his solo material while Zac Brown Band wowed with a number of original hits and covers. Nathaniel Rateliff was also joined by the Preservation Hall Jazz Band for a rousing performance. And John Fogerty celebrated the 50th anniversary of his appearance at the original Woodstock with a mini-documentary before his set, while ZZ Top marked their 50th year as a touring band.
Forbes said of Bourbon & Beyond, “It’s the inclusion of great food and unique bourbon experiences that set Louisville’s Bourbon & Beyond apart from a crowded American destination scene.”
Louisville Business First said, “The musical lineup seemed to have something for everyone.”
Bourbon & Beyond was the second event in Danny Wimmer Presents’ Louisville Trifesta series, which kicked off with the sold-out Hometown Rising September 14-15 and will wrap up with Louder Than Life September 27-29.
