If you’re a music festival nut, you’ve seen the stacked lineups that have been announced the past month or so. Hard rock and metal fests like California’s Aftershock and Rocklahoma are just as star studded as country music’s Calf Fry and Born & Raised. Aside from those, halfway through Nashville and Cincy is one gathering that will be an absolute blast: Louder Than Life. We’re going to give you a summary of the acts that will be gracing Louisville, Kentucky on September 21st through the 24th this year. This is an event you do not want to miss.
Thursday, Sept. 21:
This will be a big day for punk and alternative ‘90s kids. Headliners include Foo Fighters, Weezer and Rancid with a day full of acts like reggae/hip hop/metal influenced 311, the ever-diverse Coheed and Cambria, Code Orange, L7 and many more.
We are all aware of the tragic death of Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins in 2022, and since then we are anxious to see them back in full gear. Of course that is a lot to overcome when finding a replacement for the iconic musician, and there’s no promises we will see a permanent choice once September gets here, but there is no doubt that Dave Grohl and company will deliver. Weezer is always a big hit at festivals like these and will be fun to see them alongside Rancid on the big stage.
Friday, Sept. 22:
Friday is going to be insane. Top-billed acts will be the iconic progressive metal band, Tool, along with Godsmack and nu-metal legends, Limp Bizkit. Filling in the LTL stages throughout the day will include one of the best thrash bands of all time, Megadeth, Slipknot frontman Corey Taylor, Dance Gavin Dance and Bad Omens. Other cool acts you should definitely make a point to see are Avatar, Fever 333, Dead Poet Society and Austin Meade.
Limp Bizkit is a band people love to hate, but one thing that is obvious is that the majority of humans on this planet are finally coming around to these guys. There is no denying that they’re legends of the genre with their heavy riffs, flawless delivery of the perfectly executed rap and metal dichotomy and are just a straight up good time. After the release of their 2021 album, STILL SUCKS, LB is hitting the festival circuit hard across the US this year and (at least at this time) it may be the only chance to see them for a while.
Saturday, Sept. 23:
We’re in for another killer lineup for Saturday with some hard rocking headliners including Avenged Sevenfold, the legendary Pantera and Falling In Reverse. Rounding out the day are bands like post-hardcore icons Pierce The Veil, Parkway Drive, the very unique BABYMETAL and Asking Alexandra. Dethklock, made famous by the Adult Swim television series Metalocalypse, will be making an appearance, which will be interesting to see live. I also urge you to check out The Hu, a Mongolian folk metal band who put on a fantastic show that you will definitely remember.
After a long wait and to the joy of fans everywhere (well, most fans), Pantera announced their reunion in July of last year. Vocalist Phil Anselmo and bassist Rex Brown have returned, this time with guitarist Zakk Wylde (Ozzy Osbourne, Black Label Society) and drummer Charlie Benante (Anthrax) filling in for brothers Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul. If there’s ever going to be a time to see Pantera and you haven’t yet, now is your time. We don’t know how long this reunion will last.
Sunday, Sept. 24:
Rounding out the weekend are some other big names including pop-punk legends Green Day, Queens of the Stone Age and Turnstile. We get a cool, diverse collection of bands throughout the day like hip hop duo Run The Jewels, Celtic punk band Flogging Molly, AWOLNATION, Mayday Parade, Viagra Boys and Rival Sons, one of the groups on the forefront of modern rock.
There’s not much to say about Green Day that hasn’t already been said, but Billie Joe Armstrong and the boys are still rocking after all these years and are consistently putting on great shows filled with loud riffs and nostalgia.
Basically, Louder Than Life is four days of loud music, good times and great memories. You will see amazing acts of the past, present and future and will without a doubt not want it to end. Make your arrangements now and we’ll see you in Louisville in September.
Buy your passes for LTL here!
Cover Photos from (left to right) @lollapaloozaar, @sdz_photo, @panteraofficial, and @paranoidtrooper on Instagram.