No, you’re not going deaf, but you should probably break out your earplugs for this one. last year, Louder Than Life festival cemented itself as America’s largest rock music festival, breaking attendance records with its 180,000 rocker crowd — a figure equal to one-fourth of the population of Louisville, where the festival takes place. This year’s metal (plus more) lineup is the same vibe — Slipknot, Mötley Crüe, Korn, The Offspring, and Evanescence lead the bill. Newly reunited thrashers Slayer, who “retired” in 2019, will headline the event on Friday night to celebrate the festival’s 10th anniversary.
Held at the Highland Festival Grounds, Louder Than Life takes the city over, funneling thousands upon thousands into a large field in Kentucky. Five stages will be planted around the grounds, but you’ll be sure to find the entire crowd at the main stage by the night’s end, forming a seemingly endless sea of headbangers. Whisky in particular has a strong presence at Louder Than Life, with the Kroger Big Bourbon Bar and The Whiskey Bar onsite, plus a Jack Daniel’s sponsorship. Kentucky Bourbon Trail tours also offer upscale transportation to the festival, if an airconditioned bus and cold beverages are your vibe.
Camping is one way to keep the party rockin’, and highly encouraged. Camping passes for this year’s event sold out months in advance, but you can join a waiting list for the ultimate not-so-glam-rock experience. The festival campgrounds have showers, a camp store and a bowling alley, just in case you get that classic itch to knock down pins after a long day.
The Specs
- Over 180,000 people attended in 2023 and its called the largest rock festival in North America.
- Weekend GA passes begin at $319.99 and VIP tickets can be up to $30,531.18. The full breakdown of ticket tiers and prices can be found here.
- Check out Fifty Grande’s guide to the best things to do in Louisville here.
FAQs
Where does the festival take place?
The four-day fest is held at the Highland Festival Grounds at the Kentucky Expo Center, 937 Phillips Lane in Louisville.
What’s the best way to get there?
The best way to get to the festival is by car, however, the closest airport is Louisville International Airport, which is a short drive from the festival grounds.
Who are the headliners?
This year’s headliners are Slayer, Slipknot, Mötley Crüe, and Korn.
Are there any age restrictions?
No, louder than life is an all-ages event. It’s best to start wearing earplugs young, anyway.
Who’s on this year’s lineup?
This year’s lineup includes Slayer, Mötley Crüe, Slipknot, Korn, Disturbed, Judas Priest, Five Finger Death Punch, Evanescence, Falling in Reverse, Breaking Benjamin, The Offspring, Staind, Till Lindemann, In This Moment, Chevelle, Dropkick Murphys, The Warning, Halestorm, Gojira, Sum 41, Seether, Tom Morello, Anthrax, Mastodon, Architects, Skillet, Clutch, Highly Suspect, Lorna Shore, Body Count, Spiritbox, Grandson, Nothing More, Sevendust, Jinjer, Poppy, Badflower, Starset, Sleeping With Sirens, PUP, Filter, and more.
What’s included in the Park Community VIP Weekend pass?
According to the festival site it will give you access to General Admission areas, including the Kroger Big Bourbon Bar, The Hunter’s Club, and dedicated festival entry lanes, and access to the dedicated VIP area which includes a shaded lounge, dedicated bars, outdoor seating with views of the main stage, and more. Check out more details here.
What’s included in the Angel’s Envy VIP Weekend pass?
These tickets are $$1999.99 plus $232.71 in fees. According to the festival site, it includes access to the Skybox lounge/bar, dedicated viewing area of the main stage, air-conditioned and shaded seating areas, all-inclusive drinks and a lot more. You should check out the site for all the benefits.
How much is a single day pass?
The site lists single day GA passes for $141.99 plus fees. Sunday is $130.99 plus fees. See here.
Where can I see the hotel packages?
See this link.
Can I rent a locker on site?
Lockers are available for rent on site in GA, VIP, and Angel’s Envy Top Shelf VIP areas.
Who produces Louder Than Life?
The fest is produced by promoter and producer Danny Wimmer Presents, LLC. (DWP)
Does Bourbon & Beyond typically have more attendees than Louder Than Life?
Both are 4-day festivals that take place in Louisville, usually a week from each other. In 2024, Bourbon & Beyond pulled in 120,000 attendees while Louder Than Life attracted 180,000. Both are produced by DWP.
What is Jampack?
A third-party business that bundles tickets, hotels and perks, and sells the bundle as packages. See here.
What’s the general email address?
