The city will celebrate with a bridge lighting on September 25th
North America’s Loudest Rock Festival, Louder Than Life, is celebrating its tenth anniversary at the Highland Festival Grounds at Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Kentucky on September 26-29. The popular fan-favorite Danny Wimmer Presents festival will host nearly 150 incredible music acts this year on five packed stages, with a highly anticipated music lineup including the return of Slayer for one of only three reunion shows, a celebration of Slipknot’s 25th anniversary of their debut album, and additional headliners Mötley Crüe and Korn.
On Wednesday, September 25th, all “Loudmouths” are welcome at one of Louisville’s favorite music events, WFPK Waterfront Wednesday, to kick off the Louder Than Life festival. This free event will be at Waterfront Park on the Big Four Lawn, with gates opening at 5 pm and live music starting at 6 pm featuring Dark Side of the Wall, Zaniah, and +Flow Band.
To commemorate the milestone, the iconic Big Four Bridge in Louisville will be illuminated green at sunset for the “Loudmouths,” and DWP CEO Danny Hayes will be on stage to welcome everyone at 5:55 pm. In addition, The DWP Foundation on behalf of Louder Than Life is donating $5,000 to the WFPK Waterfront Wednesday event, produced by the two non-profit organizations, Waterfront Park and Louisville Public Media.
In addition to the bridge lighting, Mayor Craig Greenberg will join Danny Wimmer on-stage at Louder Than Life to recognize the tenth anniversary on Thursday, September 26th at 6:10 pm to reenact the ceremonial “Christening” of the stage that happened at the first Louder Than Life in 2014. The 2024 “Christening” will include the breaking of a guitar and bourbon bottle accompanied by flyover jets.
This year, the city is expecting 400,000 total fans between both Bourbon & Beyond and Louder Than Life. In 2023, Louisville Tourism reported that both festivals generated over 60,000 room nights in hotels throughout the area and reported $30 million economic impact in 2023 for both festivals.
