Was it fate that brought us here? Maybe.
In two months, I’ll be attending my very first Louder than Life in Louisville, Kentucky. I’m not a stranger to the concert scene but it always seemed this particular show landed the same weekend as x or y other obligation. This year, however, I’m going to attend Louisville’s finest music and food festival and there is so much to look forward to.
Myself and my crew are getting there bright and early for doors at 11 a.m. on Friday September 27th because there is no way I am missing my girl crush Ash Costello with New Year’s Day. After that we’re heading to where ever The Crystal Method is because I need to get my trip hop fix. What I really love about Friday’s line up is the wide rang of genres we’re going experience. It only makes sense to follow up that set with the legends of muck, GWAR. Helpful tip for first timers, make sure you’re wearing white when you’re in the front row on this one. Next on my must-see list is definitely Motionless in White. It will be the first time I’ll see them with new full time member Justin Morrow, formerly of Ice Nine Kills. Then it’s time to get post hardcore angsty with Beartooth, I Prevail and A Day to Remember. As if that wasn’t enough, Chevelle is playing, too. I seriously can’t get over this Friday line up.
Friday winds down (if you could call it winding down) with the return of Staind. In case you didn’t read that right, it’s THE RETURN OF STAIND. Yes, they’re back and they’re playing at Louder than Life. If you don’t have your tickets by now we cannot be friends.
Friday’s epic lineup ends with headliners Slipknot, promoting their new album “We Are Not Your Kind” out August 9th. If the singles from the new album and new masks are any hint at what lies ahead with this set, you won’t want to miss it.
Whether you camp, couch surf or pay way too much for a hotel, I hope you get a great nights sleep because day 2 of Louder Than Life hits the stages hard at 11 a.m. I’m personally excited for Like a Storm (that didgeridoo though!!) and Jelly Roll hitting the stages early on. I can’t wait to get angry with Knocked Loose and Anti-Flag before getting a bit more hauntingly soulful with Badflower. Do yourself a favor, and don’t miss Dropkick Murphys. They are a ton of fun live and the perfect compliment to a bourbon-filled day.
Day 1 of Louder is all over the genre spectrum but I feel like rap fans get a little more meat on Day 2. Two huge acts, Ice Cube and Suicidal Tendencies, round out this already robust lineup.
The everlasting, ever-popular Godsmack proceeds the legendary Guns N’ Roses for the final eclipse of Day 2. This is where the real value of the festival comes into play. We saw GNR a few years ago and paid roughly $200 a ticket in a massive stadium for the honor of being taken to Paradise City with Axl Rose. Weekend packages at Louder Start at $160. Now’s that is impressive.
Day 3 needs to start as early as possible for you because you will NOT want to miss seeing DED and Fire from the Gods life. These bands put on massively energetic shows. Next on my list is Demon Hunter. If you have Liquid Metal on Sirius XM Radio, you may recognize these guys from their current hit “On My Side.”
The one and only Maria Brink with In This Moment also graces the stage on Day 3, along with Sum 41, Three Days Grace, and Breaking Benjamin. I feel like Day 3 is for the modern rockers in the house. Rob Zombie and Marilyn Manson continue their bromantic theme of touring together and also round out Day 3’s lineup, just before Disturbed Headlines the show.
Tickets are still available for this massively epic weekend of fun, friends, food and music. Get yours now.
By Megan Randall
