This article is courtesy of Audience Magazine. For more information on the arts and live entertainment in Louisville, visit Audience502.com.
Louisville’s festival scene is alive and well, and for fans of the Grateful Dead, and there’s one weekend that stands out above the rest. The Grateville Dead Music Festival returns this weekend — Friday through Sunday, October 17–19 — at the Brown-Forman Amphitheater at Waterfront Park. What began as a small, one-day gathering of local Deadheads has evolved into a beloved three-day celebration of music, community, and creative spirit.
To mark the festival’s 10th anniversary, Audience Magazine caught up with co-founder Ashley Angel, who, along with local entrepreneur Dennie Humphrey, launched the festival back in 2015. What started as a spontaneous idea has grown into one of Louisville’s most unique and soulful music events.
How it all Started
“The story’s pretty interesting, actually,” Angel laughs. “Ten years ago, Dennie and I were hanging out at Abbey Road on the River, and I turned to him and said, ‘Why isn’t there a Grateful Dead on the River?’ A lightbulb just went off in both our heads.”
Within two months, that spark became reality. The duo pulled together the first-ever Grateful Dead on the River, a one-day event that quickly became an instant hit among fans of the Dead and live music alike.
“It was just supposed to be this one little thing, but the response was amazing,” She recalls. “People loved it, and we knew we had to do it again. And again.”
The festival, now affectionately known as Grateville, was originally held near Jerry Garcia’s birthday in early August, but over the years, it has evolved — growing in size, scope, and style. Like the music it celebrates, the festival has adapted and improvised through the years, even surviving the challenges of COVID.
“Each year we’ve learned something new — what works, what doesn’t, what to focus on,” she says. “Now, instead of planning in two months, it’s a year-round process. As soon as one festival ends, we’re already talking about the next one.”
Keeping the Spirit Alive
For Angel and Humphrey, the festival is more than a tribute to one band — it’s a celebration of a way of life.
“We’re both longtime Dead fans,” Ashley says. “I wasn’t old enough to see Jerry play — I couldn’t even crawl yet! But I did get to see Furthur and Dead & Company several times. And I was lucky enough to be in Chicago for the Dead’s 50th anniversary shows in 2015, which just happened to be the same year we started our first festival. That weekend was pure magic.”
That sense of magic — the mix of nostalgia, joy, and community that defines the Grateful Dead experience — is something the two have worked hard to recreate every year in Louisville.
“The Dead’s music is about connection,” she says. “People from all walks of life, different generations, all coming together. You’ll see little kids running around, parents dancing, old-school spinners twirling in the back — it’s a family. That’s what makes it special.”
Building the Perfect Lineup
As any Dead fan knows, every show tells a story — and every year, Grateville aims to build a lineup that does the same.
“We’ve been lucky to have a core group of bands that have grown with us,” Angel explains. “Born Cross-Eyed is one of the best Grateful Dead tribute bands around — not just locally, but anywhere. High Rider is another one to watch. They’re really blowing up. Then there’s Stolen Faces, and a handful of local acts joining us for the first time this year.”
That mix of seasoned tributes and emerging local talent is part of what gives the festival its charm.
“It’s not just about recreating the Dead’s music,” she says. “It’s about keeping that creative energy alive — the jam, the vibe, the freedom. Every band brings their own flavor.”
Louisville’s Hidden Gem: The Brown-Forman Amphitheater
If you haven’t been to the Brown-Forman Amphitheater, you’re in for a treat.
“It’s Louisville’s best-kept secret,” she smiles. “It’s a natural amphitheater tucked just a couple blocks from the Big Four Lawn, right on the water. The acoustics are amazing, and it fits about 1,800 to 2,000 people comfortably — the perfect size for a festival like ours.”
Angel recalls seeing My Morning Jacket play there years ago and instantly falling in love with the space. “There’s something organic about it. We were out there recently walking the grounds, setting up vendor spots, and I noticed these trees that were just saplings during our first year. Now they’re tall and shady — it’s like they’ve grown up with us.”
More Than Just Music
While the music is the heart of Grateville, the festival experience stretches far beyond the stage.
“This year, we’ve got more vendors than ever before,” Ashley says proudly. “Everything from food trucks to artists selling handmade goods. One of our vendors builds custom guitars. Another does beautiful tie-dye and fabric art. It’s all about sharing creativity — just like the Dead inspired us to do.”
Fans can expect four food trucks, including one traveling all the way from New York, and a wide variety of local artisans offering everything from jewelry to vintage apparel.
For 2025, the festival is also expanding its setup. “We’re introducing a second stage this year,” Ashley says. “It’s a smaller setup that’ll keep music going between main-stage sets — so the jams literally never stop.”
Affordable and Accessible Fun
In a world where festival tickets can easily top hundreds of dollars, Grateville stands out for keeping things affordable and family-friendly.
“We’ve always wanted it to be accessible,” Angel says. “Tickets are just $30 for Friday, $40 for Saturday, and you can still bring your kids. It’s safe, it’s laid-back, and it’s welcoming. We see a lot of families — even people who bring their parents who saw the Dead back in the ’70s!”
The Community Keeps It Going
After ten years, the magic of Grateville isn’t just in the music — it’s in the people who show up.
“I think the reason it’s lasted so long is because of the community,” she reflects. “The people in Louisville and the surrounding areas have been so supportive. They’ve stuck with us through rainouts, through COVID, through all of it. That kind of loyalty means everything.”
And while the festival continues to grow, Angel and Humphrey aren’t looking to make it corporate or commercial.
“Our goal is always to make it bigger — not necessarily ‘better’ — just bigger in spirit,” she says. “More people, more art, more love.”
Final Notes from the Founders
As the festival approaches, the energy is high and the to-do lists are long, but their excitement is contagious.
“Come on down,” she says with a grin. “Leave the coolers at home, bring your smile and your dancing shoes, and just enjoy it. It’s going to be a great weekend on the river with great music, great people, and that classic Grateful Dead energy we all love.”
Tickets and full lineup information are available at grateville.com
This article appears in Oct. 1-31, 2025.