There will be a lot of ‘beyond’-ing at Bourbon and Beyond, the world’s largest bourbon and music festival, this September. This year’s lineup is its biggest yet, following a record-breaking attendance last year of over 140,000. Headliners will include The Killers, infamous for writing the inescapable party fixture, “Mr Brightside,” alongside The Black Keys (The dancing man in “Lonely Boy” leaves TikTokers in the dust), Brandie Carlile and Bruno Mars. The headliners perform alongside more than 65 other musical acts, including Aloe Blacc, Blondie, Willie Jones, Train, and Hozier.
Not to mention the non-musical acts. The four-day festival has four stages, and only one is dedicated to music. One stage is wholly dedicated to the art of bourbon whiskey and will be hosted by local expert Chris Blandford, a Bourbon fanatic responsible for stocking the shelves of 115 Kroger Wine & Spirits stores across the country. Fred Minnick, another renowned local connoisseur of the hard stuff, returns this year to educate the masses through his live and blind Bourbon-tasting performances.
Those missing their favorite cooking show stars will be happy to know there is another stage full of live culinary experiences from top celebrity chefs, including Amanda Freitag, Chris Santos of “Chopped”, and Ed Lee of “Top Chef”.
These bourbon-fueled events are a must for anyone wanting something more cultural, more Kentucky than dancing in the crowds of national touring acts. Bourbon is one of the life bloods of the state — in 2020, mid-pandemic shock, the industry brought in nearly $9 billion, doubling the number of jobs since 2009. A drink of bourbon, then, is a drink for the future of Kentucky. Cheers.
Specs
- 140,000 people attended last year.
- Tickets for a single day at Bourbon and Beyond 2023 start at $99.99 for Thursday and $109.9 for all other days. Single day VIP tickets start at $219.99 for the Thursday, $239.99 for the Friday, the Saturday and $249.99 for the Sunday. Weekend tickets start at $279.99 and weekend VIP tickets start at $679.99.
- Get the Bourbon and Beyond app here and here.
- Check out our guide to Louisville here.
FAQS
What is the closest airport to Bourbon and Beyond 2023?
The Louisville International Airport is the closest airport to the Highland Festival Grounds, just a mile away.
Is Bourbon and Beyond ADA-accessible?
The festival has seated stage viewing platforms and chilled medication storage and private, accessible restrooms. However, there are not golf carts or push services and this festival is large with natural terrain. There could be mud. Braille, large print and ASL interpreters are available upon request.
Who is playing Bourbon and Beyond?
Brandi Carlile, Bill Strings, Train, Midland, Buddy Guy, Mavis Staples, Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors, The Lone Below, Brandy Clark, John Primer, Stephen Wilson Jr., Vivi Rincon, Kelsey Waldon, Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, Two Runner, Clay Street Unit, Myron Elkins, The Killers, Duran Duran, Hozier, Brittany Howard, Bastille, The Gaslight Anthem, Wayne Newton, Inhaler, Joy Oladokun, Darrell Scott Band, Boy Named Banjo, Goodbye June, The Lil Smokes, The Cleverlys, Twisted Pine, Lola Kirke, Armchair Boogie, The Black Keys, The Black Crowes, The Avett Brothers, Spoon, First Aid Kit, Old Crow Medicine Show, City and Color, Michelle Branch, Luke Grimes, Danielle Ponder, Willie Jones, Drayton Farley, Town Mountain, Della Mae, Sunny War, Lindsay Lou, Bruno Mars, Blondie, Jon Batiste, Ryan Bingham, Babyface, Aloe Blacc, ZZ Ward, Fantastic Negrito, Maggie Rose, Hailey Whitters, Dumpstaphunk, As You Were, Dan Tyminski, Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen, Arcadian Wild, Pixie & The Partygrass Boys.
