Competition producer Danny Wimmer Presents (DWP) has introduced a big growth and enhancement of the Highland Competition Grounds at Kentucky Exposition Heart in Louisville, Kentucky, set to roll out for the upcoming Bourbon & Past (September 11–14) and Louder Than Life (September 18–21) festivals.
These sweeping modifications comply with the announcement of a 10-year lease settlement with Kentucky Venues to maintain each festivals in Louisville by way of 2035. This settlement displays a deep dedication from DWP and the town to proceed growing Louisville as a cultural and financial powerhouse.
The 2025 pageant web site will supply extra consolation and house than ever earlier than. Enhancements embody new shaded zones, expanded turf areas at primary levels, elevated GA garden chair capability for Bourbon & Past, a second entrance to enhance entry stream, and a brand-new immersive merch expertise contained in the air-conditioned Kentucky Expo Heart.
One of the thrilling additions is FREE each day entry to amusement rides inside Kentucky Kingdom, which is able to now be a part of the pageant footprint and closed to the general public throughout each occasions. Attendees can experience the Big Wheel, Lightning Run, Scream Excessive, and different favorites from 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM every day. Whereas the water park will not be accessible, the newly built-in amusement space affords an enormous bonus to each passholder, mixing reside music and thrill rides in a method not often seen at large-scale festivals.
Louder Than Life additionally provides a seventh stage contained in the amusement park, internet hosting 12 artists together with XweaponX, Orthodox, Foolish Goose, Unearth, and The Browning, additional solidifying its status as America’s Loudest Rock & Metallic Competition. In the meantime, VIP areas have grown by 35%, with a brand new three-story shaded viewing platform and extra luxurious shaded house throughout the grounds.
Transportation upgrades are on the way in which as properly. Improved shuttles, higher parking infrastructure, a devoted rideshare zone, and a newly added second entrance purpose to streamline the arrival and departure expertise for the practically 400,000 anticipated attendees.
Bourbon & Past 2025 Highlights:
- 5 levels, over 120 artists
- Headliners embody The Lumineers, Phish (two units), Jack White, Noah Kahan, and Sturgill Simpson
- Performances from Ringo Starr, Foreigner, Cage The Elephant, Pat Benatar, and extra
- Meals and bourbon experiences on the Fork & Flask curated by Kroger Stage with hosts Chef Chris Santos and Chef Edward Lee
- Celebrated cooks like Esther Choi, Amanda Freitag, and Claudette Zepeda, plus premium bourbon tastings from manufacturers like Previous Rip Van Winkle and Buffalo Hint
Louder Than Life 2025 Highlights:
- 7 levels, over 160 bands
- Large headliners: Slayer, Rob Zombie, Avenged Sevenfold, Deftones, Deliver Me The Horizon, Sleep Token, Marilyn Manson, Unhealthy Omens, and Evanescence
- Particular units embody Rob Zombie‘s international unique efficiency of Astro-Creep: 2000 and Foreigner‘s Farewell Tour
- Appearances from Lamb of God, A Excellent Circle, Knocked Free, Spiritbox, Cypress Hill, Bruce Dickinson, and DOWN
In 2024, Bourbon & Past and Louder Than Life mixed for $33 million in financial impression and drew over 300,000 attendees, over 70% of whom got here from exterior Kentucky, representing all 50 states and 27 international locations.
“This transfer has been years within the making, and we’re thrilled to lastly carry it to life,” mentioned Danny Wimmer. “The brand new format delivers a lot to be enthusiastic about: expanded shade, indoor experiences, air-conditioned areas, and—because of our collaboration with Kentucky Kingdom—an amusement park contained in the pageant. It is a actually distinctive addition that brings unimaginable worth to followers… and that is just the start.”
Tickets for Louder Than Life can be found right here and Bourbon and Past right here.
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