Louder Than Life continued its reputation as the World’s Largest Whiskey & Music Festival and America’s Biggest Rock Fest. This year’s fest brought in over 170,000 attendees and featured over 100 artists!
2022 was headlined by Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nine Inch Nails, Slipknot, KISS and also featured Shinedown, Rob Zombie, Bring Me The Horizon, Alice In Chains, Alice Cooper, Incubus, Evanescence, Lamb of God, Tenacious D and so many more. This was my first time going to a DWP (Danny Wimmer Presents) festival; it was sort of a breath of fresh air to go to a festival that actually has their shit together.
Nine Inch Nails kicked off the weekend festivities on Thursday night; their performance was actually on the same date that they released their landmark EP, Broken, 30 years ago! They played several tracks from that, such as “Wish” and “Give Up”. Slipknot headlined Friday, with a stacked performance. They played “The Dying Song (Time To Sing)” off their now released new album. Earlier that day, Vended performed, featuring Simon Crahan (son of Slipknot’s Clown) and Griffin Taylor (Corey Taylor’s son). Saturday’s headliner were rock legends KISS.
KISS played a 17-song set, featuring greatest hits across their 50-year-long career.
Their set included “Calling Dr. Love”, “I Was Made For Loving You” and “Rock and Roll All Nite”. For the grand finale, Red Hot Chili Peppers closed out Sunday night for one of their first shows back with all four original members back onstage. Their setlist included songs from all eras of the band, including early songs “Give it Away” and “Suck My Kiss”, as well as some newer stuff, such as “Here Ever After” from their latest release, Unlimited Love.
Other special moments throughout the fest included Evanescence’s lead singer, Amy Lee, joining Tenacious D’s performance for songs “Kyle Quit The Band” and “Lee”. Alice In Chains performed a handful of hits from their 1992 album, Dirt — ahead of its 30th anniversary. Body Count covered Motörheads’ “Ace of Spades” and dedicated it to the band’s late singer Lemmy Kilmister.
New to this year’s festival was the Headbanger Hall!
It featured surprise celebrity bartenders Jelly Roll, Theory of a Deadman, Spiritbox, Crown The Empire, members of Giovannie & The Hired Guns, Royal & The Serpent, Gwar, Papa Roach and Lamb of God.
Other special appearances were from the “Metal Ambassador” himself, Jose Mangin of SiriusXm’s Octane and Liquid Metal, Bourbon expert Fred Minnick, Dimebag Rita and treats and eats by Chef Chris Santos, as well as whiskeys from Slipknot, Metallica, ZZ Top, GWAR and Beartooth with craft brews by Iron Maiden. Attendees at Louder Than Life also enjoyed some of the best food and drinks that Louisville has to offer, as well as various sponsor activities and experiences.
Louder Than Life has announced that next year’s edition of the festival will be held over the weekend of September 21st through the 24th at its home of Highland Festival Grounds at Kentucky Exposition Center. Weekend GA and VIP passes, along with camping, are on sale now for only $10 down! Hope to see you in 2023!
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