Its that time of year again, when the sun shines bright on our old Kentucky home, and festival season is upon us. We have looked for festivals in our great state and immediate surrounding area that occur during the nice months of the year. Weve focused on only those that make music their central draw, rather than a secondary event. So get your sunscreen out, grab your calendar and figure out the best way to use your vacation time this year, courtesy of our handy festival guide.
Abbey Road on the River: May 26-30
Beatles lovers from all around can rejoice for Abbey Road on the River, a celebration of all things Fab Four. The annual festival showcases a variety of Beatles cover-bands who pay tribute in their own way to the band that changed the face of pop music. You might get a classic rock-and-roll variation on the quartet, replete with leather greaser jackets, or the drug-era version of the band, decked out in their Sgt. Pepper formal attire. If you dig the Beatles, The Belvedere is the place to be.
BBQ Blues and Bikes: May 26-28
Held in downtown Elizabethtown, this festival is billed as having three nights of music starting on Thursday, May 26, with the main event Saturday, May 28. True to its name, the festival celebrates Kentucky barbecue (a tradition unique to each region), motorcycles and, of course, the blues. Performers include Blues Hall of Fame Inductee John Hammond, Molly Thomas, Brian Keith Wallen and a host of acts performing on multiple stages Saturday, including JP Blues, Diunna Greenleaf, Tullie Brae Band and Back Pack Jones.
Kentucky Reggae Festival: May 27-29
For those looking for something a little different, The Kentucky Reggae Festival is bringing a taste of the Caribbean to the Water Tower. It makes sense, then, that this is held down near the river, so that you can feel that breeze come off the water and chill hard with some of the most relaxing reggae in the region. You can grab some food from the Jamaican Association of Louisville, check out the wares of the Caribbean Market and catch bands including Anthem, Dem Reggae Bon, The Meditations and Ultra Massive.
Boomtown Festival: May 29
The Boomtown Ball & Festival is the late spring/early-summer counterpart to the annual Harvest Homecoming Festival held during the fall in downtown New Albany. Like the long-running fall season event, The BB&F is an outdoor bazaar that features tons of vendors, food and craft beer, as coordinated by the good folks at the Flea Off Market. Not only does the fest have a variety of local and regional acts like Otis Junior & Dr. Dundiff, Small Black, Know Hamilton and Ancient Warfare, but it is also partnering with a radio station for an instrument drive.
Festival of the Bluegrass: June 9-12
June might well be renamed Bluegrass month in Kentucky, as The Festival of Bluegrass kicks off one of two weekends of homespun fun. Held in the Kentucky Horse Park Campground near Lexington, the fest is all about honoring our states most traditional styles of music. You can hear music from acts including Town Mountain, Blue Highway and the Lonesome River Band, to name just a few, while you camp out and jam with other campers. The fest also features a music camp for kids 6-18, so you can bring the little ones out to learn how to get down.
Romp: June 22-25
Owensboro, Kentucky, is more than just the home of the righteous barbecue: It also is the bluegrass capital of Kentucky. Romp is a celebration of that heritage, featuring a lineup full of the best folk and bluegrass bands from around the country, from hometown legends including the 23 String Band to classic acts including Old Crow Medicine Show, Del McCoury Band and the Sam Bush Band. Hosted by the International Bluegrass Music Museum, the festival has long been a home for some of the most engaging acts in the genre, and it looks to continue that trend this year.
Poorcastle: July 8-10
What started off as a response to Forecastle has grown into more of a spiritual successor to the original intent of the event. Poorcastle serves as an exploration of up-and-coming Louisville bands, with a list of festival veterans that includes the mighty 1200 and the sublime Twin Limb, both of which have gone on to perform at Forecastle. Hosted at Apocalypse Brewery, Poorcastle has become an absolute celebration of Louisville, which features food, brews and music. This years lineup includes Satellite Twin, Kaleidico, Fast Friends and Phorensicz, all of which represent the citys wide array of talent.
Forecastle: July 15-17
Regionally speaking, Forecastle is to many the crown jewel of the festival scene, at least insomuch as it relates to Louisville. Hosted at scenic Waterfront Park, Forecastle has grown from a small locals-only affair comprised of up-and-comers to one of the biggest festivals in the country. Featuring some of the biggest names in indie and beyond, Forecastle is Louisvilles answer to Bonnaroo, with an eclectic range of talent that includes some of the best of our town, such as Twin Limb and White Reaper, alongside bands including Wilco and Modest Mouse.
Blues, Brews & BBQ Festival: July 22-24
Similar to the BBQ, Blues and Bikes festival in Elizabethtown, the Blues, Brews & BBQ fest is a little closer to home. Hosted at the Louisville Water Tower park, the event endeavors to feature some of the most righteous blues players going, with a list of performers still forthcoming at the time of this writing. As the name implies, there is an emphasis on eating and drinking well, with a selection of barbecued meats and craft beers on hand to help keep you going.
Louisville is Dead: July 30-31
Sporting a robust lineup of some of the bands most likely to Keep Louisville Loud, the ironically named Louisville is Dead fest is two days of hometown love. Hosted at the Tim Faulkner Gallery, proceeds from the fest are going toward the production of a documentary on the Louisville music scene. This is such an all-ages show that kids under 10 are free, so expect things to get awesome the last weekend in July.
Seven Sense Festival: August
While specifics havent been released about the date or performers involved, the Seven Sense Festival is returning this year, a showcase for local and regional touring acts. The event is free and a benefit for the Boys & Girls Haven. Like a young South by Southwest festival, but right down the street, this is the perfect place to catch up-and-coming acts.
PRFBBQ: Sept. 1-4
In its second year now, the PRFBBQ is a showcase of the louder side of local and regional rock. The event is held at a few venues around town, and it features local food and drinks of the alcoholic variety. This is the kind of place you go to get that noisy goodness that our city is known for, and it is the answer to the call to Keep Louisville Loud. Bring your earplugs and expect a solid bangover the day after a weekend of rock solid jams.
Louder Than Life: early October
For the last few years the Louder Than Life festival has worked hard to keep the dream of the late 90s alive with a cavalcade of grunge and metal bands that offer meaty riffs and messianic vocals. The details are still scarce on this one, but if its anything like it was in previous years, you can expect a whos who of the loudest bands going, alongside bourbon, brews and awesome local foods.
Louisville Outskirts: early October
The Louisville Outskirts is billed as a lady-centric festival aimed at encouraging and inspiring women, trans-women and gender non-conforming individuals. The festival also features Rock Shops, a series of courses designed to empower young women to learn about music and the music world. Those have grown into The Girls Rock Louisville camps, which offer summer camps along the same lines. Previous years of the festival have featured some of the most exciting acts going including Shannon Wright, Freakwater, Tara Jane ONeil and Sorry Mom.
Cropped Out: mid-October
A haven for the freaks and weirdos, Cropped Out is an annual event that shows the oddball side of music. Held at the American Turners Club on River Road, Cropped Out is back on track after skipping out on 2015 due to conflicts with the organizers schedules. The fest is a low-key way to see some of the most challenging local and regional, and its a hell of a lot of fun. Previous years have seen attendees camp out overnight, or have featured games of basketball. You really have no idea what to expect except for a good time.