Bourbon and Beats: A Sneak Peek into 2018 Forecastle Festival
So you say you’re looking for a unicorn festival: stellar lineup, gorgeous venue, wide variety of food and beverage, and maybe even involvement with a killer charity, all without breaking your wallet…
Enter Forecastle Festival, a fully immersive sight and sound experience paired with a cultural journey through one of the region’s most charming cities.
Photo Credit: Brian Hensley
LINEUP
Forecastle dug deep to construct one of the most diverse and interesting lineups of 2018. Heavy-hitting headliners Chris Stapleton, Arcade Fire, and Modest Mouse lead a monsterous undercard featuring Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Houndmouth, The War On Drugs, Father John Misty, Jimmy Eat World, Louis the Child, T-Pain, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Lucero, Hippie Sabotage, Jai Wolf, Khruangbin, and more. The robust combination of genres blend beautifully to curate a weekend of magic and inspiration for all. The festival will be held July 13-15.
All the artists can be explored in detail here.
Find the official Forecastle 2018 Spotify playlist here.
VENUE
Designated as one of the Top Ten Urban Parks in the nation, Waterfront Park in Louisville, KY is as majestic as it is convenient. Waterfront Park sits directly on the Ohio River, creating a world-class backdrop for the event. The sunsets behind the stages over the water are indescribable and must be experienced to be believed. The park boasts ample shade, plenty of seating, and exits into downtown Louisville.
A plethora of public transportation, walkways, bike racks, and other conveniences make traversing the city a breeze. Side note: Did I mention the amazing (and free) skatepark? Bring your skateboard and get your shred on 2 blocks from the venue. If a multi-faceted vacation experience is ideal but festivals are life, Forecastle is truly the best of both worlds.
Photo Credit: Brian Hensley
FOOD/BEVERAGE
Kentucky is the global epicenter for bourbon whiskey, crafting 95% of the world’s bourbon within its borders. A festival held here without showcasing the finest of these spirits would be a crime, so Forecastle proudly welcomes the famous 1600 sq.ft. Bourbon Lodge back for its sixth consecutive year. The Bourbon Lodge is home to a captivating collection of food pairings, workshops, panel speakers, rare batch tastings, and events all weekend.
More information on the Bourbon Lodge can be found here.
The Bourbon Lodge
Louisville is a foodie paradise, offering some of the best international cuisine in the country. Some of the local favorites are listed here. Inside the venue, there is an impressive number of vendors and regional food trucks serving amazing foods to satiate any craving.
THE FORECASTLE FOUNDATION
One of the things that sets Forecastle apart from other festivals is their nonprofit organization, The Forecastle Foundation, which is devoted to identifying and preserving the earth’s biodiversity hotspots. The charity partners with like-minded organizations to execute sustainability projects that focus on protecting global wildlife and delicate ecosystems.
More information on The Forecastle Foundation can be found here.
The Forecastle Foundation Mural Painter
TICKETS
A variety of ticket packages are available here. If you’re balling on a budget, Forecastle offers affordable payment plans for all ticket types, giving attendees the flexibility to create the experience that best suits their needs.
So what are you waiting for? Get your tickets now and come party with MusicFestNews on the river. See you in July!
Photo Credit: Brian Hensley