Louisville is often referred to as a “small big city.” I find this to be very true. Everyone seems to be one person away from knowing one another. This can be both comforting and communal if it is channeled in the right way.
Despite our surplus of incredible venues, we are often skipped over when it comes to concert tours. As an avid concert goer, this is very frustrating. It also has hindered me from discovering local music in the past.
I knew that trajectory had to change, so this past weekend, I dedicated my time completely to music created by local artists, and I am so glad I made that decision. I attended the locally beloved fest, Poorcastle on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I also attended a White Reaper show at Mercury Ballroom on Saturday.
Poorcastle is a nonprofit, benefiting three local youth foundations- Louisville Leopard Percussionists, AMPED, and Out Loud Louisville. This is especially important, as it feeds the pipeline of fresh new artists. The festival also gives some musical acts a chance to practice being on stage and in front of new audiences.
On Friday, I saw KJ Olsen, KING KONG, Frankie Tunez and Mojo Thunder.
KJ Olsen’s set was truly ethereal. Happening as the sun set, her angelic voice radiated a sense of melancholy in the best way.
KING KONG, a band that has been rocking out for decades and was even featured on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in 2021, showed up and showed out. I loved seeing a group that has so much experience providing music for the people of Louisville.
Frankie Tunez had music that mixed genres- EDM and rap. He even had a guest collaborator that provided variety within the tracks.
The final act of the night was Mojo Thunder. They were my favorites of the entire festival, and they absolutely blew me away. On their website, they state their music is “the combination of pop sensibilities, thoughtful lyrics, and shamelessly loud rock n roll.”
I took my best friend with me to the fest that day, and she has been listening to Mojo Thunder on repeat every since. These guys can absolutely shred. r will also be touring in parts of Europe later this year. I will definitely be seeing more shows from them in the future. If you love rock, they should be on your list!
On Saturday at Poorcastle, I saw Fuzzstration and Shane Spader.
Speaking of absolutely shredding, Fuzzstration did just that. According to their website, they are on the pursuit of musical innovation. Their sound gave off psychedelic rock vibes, with unique sounds- all with incredible riffs. They will be at Zanzabar on Friday, May 23.
On Sunday, I saw RELAAY, Lavacado, Mike Bandanna, Yapa! and Scary Black.
RELAAY had stunning harmonizing vocals and soulful lyrics. According to their website, the pair have been friends for years and aim to create music that they needed when they were in high school. You could feel the raw emotions in their performance.
Lavacado gave us a taste of Louisville punk rock. They had great energy and you could tell they loved to play music. It’s so much fun to see a tenfold of joy in a performance.
Mike Bandanna provided such a cool, genre-bending vibe, mixing 70s style rock with rap. The lyrics were meaningful, and the instruments aided in amplifying the message.
Yapa! showcased Latin American culture, a culture that is prominent in the city of Louisville. Their performance had everyone dancing and moving to the beat. It was joyful and gave off ecstatic energy.
Scary Black delivered a goth-rock performance that felt straight out of an 80s dark wave club. They came out in all black with a mask on, looking like a grim reaper of sorts. It was mystical and synth-heavy performance. As a sucker for synth myself, I enjoyed this one deeply.
A lot of these artists can be found playing at a multitude of venues throughout the city. It’s fun experiencing musicians you love from other cities, but it is even more fun to know that the artist you’re enjoying is based right where you live.
Poorcastle was truly a snapshot of what local Louisville music is in this current day and age. A community supporting one another and discovering art through the support.
White Reaper on Saturday at Mercury Ballroom was also an incredible experience. They are one of the more prominent musical acts to come out of Louisville. Although they have increased fame as compared to a lot of the acts at Poorcastle, the Louisville heart and spirit still shone through.
With shout outs to a cousin who just got engaged, other family members, and friends, White Reaper showcased the familial and communal feel that the city of Louisville provides.
This city finds a way of bringing you back home. I often notice that those who are from Louisville and move away often come back eventually to either live in the city again or spend significant time here. It is a kind of magic Louisville possesses. That small big city feel that is unique to a small portion of cities in the United States. It’s one of the things I love most about Louisville.
From musical artists who are just beginning to internationally known acts, this weekend further instilled my love of the Louisville community and the art and creativity we provide.
I encourage everyone to check out live music, especially if it’s local. Even if you don’t know the artist or a single song, let the music overtake you. Tune into how the music makes you feel. The best part? You’re supporting an artist, which in turn, helps to inspire you to be creative and to express your creativity.