The Bourbon & Beyond festival returned to Louisville for another four days of great music, tasty bites, and stiff drinks. The seamless and carefree four days drew thousands of people to experience all the festival has to offer, with perfect weather conditions, a rarity these days. Thursday kicked off the festivities with the hard-hitting performances of Queens of the Stone Age and Foo Fighters. Each band delivered an impressive set, with Queens of the Stone Age’s setlist being all-killer-no-filler, including fan favorites like “Make It Wit Chu” and “A Song for the Dead.” Other highlights of the day included The Return of Jackie & Judy’s Ramones tribute, 4 Non Blondes’ emotional singalongs, Lindsey Stirling’s impressive stage show, Goose’s jammy noodling, and The War on Drugs’ hypnotic rock ‘n’ roll.
The festival continued on Friday, with the sun fully peeking out and the weekend settling in. Early performers like Amigo the Devil got the day rolling, followed by standout sets from Father John Misty, Violent Femmes, and The Flaming Lips. Kacey Musgraves stole the show with her performance, which included a cover of George Strait’s “All My Exes Live in Texas,” before Mumford & Sons closed out the night with a stomping and clapping crowd.
Saturday’s Highlights
Saturday showed that Bourbon & Beyond had no signs of slowing down as it passed its halfway mark. The day featured rising songwriters like Maddox Batson and Cameron Whitcomb, as well as two sets that easily ranked amongst the best of the weekend: Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit and Chris Stapleton. Isbell and his trusty Unit of 400 put on an absolutely stunning display, delivering amped-up jams and delicate tearjerkers alike. Stapleton, meanwhile, showcased his incredible voice, one of the best in modern country, under the Kentucky moon.
Sunday’s Finale
Sunday offered fest-goers one last chance to soak in the sun, sip on something tasty, and bask in the joy of live music. The day was ideal for those looking to steep themselves in some ’90s nostalgia, with performances by The Verve Pipe, Tonic, Better Than Ezra, Counting Crows, Hootie & The Blowfish, and Dave Matthews Band. Younger blood was also able to showcase their stuff, with folks like Portugal. The Man and Jesse Welles drawing passionate crowds.
The festival also featured a seemingly endless amount of killer vendors, access to the Kentucky Kingdom amusement park, and special experiences like meet-and-greets. With its perfect blend of music, food, and drink, Bourbon & Beyond proved to be a damn enjoyable four-day weekend. Fans are already counting the days until they can do it again in 2027, and with its impressive lineup and seamless execution, it’s no wonder why Bourbon & Beyond is a must-attend festival for music lovers.
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