Dr. Dundiff & Friends
Friday, July 8
Mercury Ballroom
A reboot of the storied set from last year’s Forecastle, Dr. Dundiff will once again share the stage with some of the city’s best hip-hop artists, including 1200, James Lindsey, Ottis Junior, Touch AC, Shadowpact and more.
Poorcastle
Friday, July 8 – Sunday, July 10
Apocalypse Brewing Company
The “festival for the rest of us” was started as a more affordable music festival, and always features three days of Louisville musicians. This year includes Dream Eye Color Wheel, Vice Tricks, Karass, Atomo, Kaleidico and more.
Forecastle
Friday, July 15-Sunday, July 17
Waterfront Park
The city’s biggest music festival, this year featuring The Avett Brothers, Alabama Shakes, Death Cab For Cutie and Ryan Adams as headliners, Forecastle is three days, four stages and dozens of bands on the riverfront.
Dr. Dog
Friday, July 15
Headliners
Mixing dreamy, ’60s aesthetics with ever-changing, offbeat ideas, Dr. Dog has had a prolific and popular career since their debut album, Toothbrush, in 2002 as well as two early tours with My Morning Jacket. Part of the official Forecastle after-shows series, it starts at 11:59 p.m., and keeps everything moving after the first day of the festival ends.
A Louisville Tribute to Prince and David Bowie
Saturday July 16 and Sunday, July 17
Haymarket Whiskey Bar
Featuring a rotating cast of Louisville musicians — to two icons that passed away this past year — A Louisville Tribute to Prince and David Bowie is another Forecastle after party. And Haymarket is only a few minutes walk from the festival.
Swans
Thursday, July 21
Headliners
Atmospheric and chilling, Swans have been an underground staple for the last three decades.
Satellite Twin, The Sleep-ins and Memory Gloss
Friday, July 22
Kaiju
A local rock band that falls somewhere in the triangle of punk, metal and garage, Satellite Twin is a driving and experimental band that drags its listeners through highs and lows and everything in-between.
The Coathangers
Monday, July 25
Zanzabar
Part vintage hooks, part punk fury, The Coathangers veer from power-pop prowess to walls of angry guitars, and both sides of the band are equally as interesting.
Freakwater
Tuesday, July 26
Zanzabar
The venerable Louisville alt-country band Freakwater, who recently released their first album in more than a decade, combine sharp songwriting and harmonies with the sounds of classic country.
John Moreland
Thursday, July 28
Headliners
One of the most underrated songwriters out there right now, John Moreland turns heavy-hitting phrase after heavy-hitting phrase in his catchy, but melancholy style of folk.