Bourbon & Beyond 2023 Hosts 120,000 Fans (Photos)

The weekend also included hit-packed headlining sets from The Killers and The Black Keys as well as Bruno Mars where Louisville native Jack Harlow was seen taking in the performance.

Other attention-grabbing sets included a rousing performance from recent Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees Duran Duran as well as new wave/punk legends Blondie, Wayne Newton who played his first rock festival ever and Old Crow Medicine Show who paid tribute to the late Jimmy Bufffett with a cover of “Margaritaville.” 

Bourbon & Beyond also marked the first time that husband-and-wife couple The Black Keys’ Patrick Carney and singer-songwriter Michelle Branch played the same event together.

In addition to music, stars headed to the Monogram Culinary Stage and Kentucky Venues Bourbon Stage to participate in the one-of-a-kind programming throughout the weekend.

That included Darnell “SuperChef” Ferguson (Louisville native, Food Network’s Superchef Grudge Match), Sara Bradley (Top Chef contestant), special guest Joe Kwon of Avett Brothers joining at the Monogram Culinary Stage, which was hosted by Chef Chris Santos (Chopped), Chef Edward Lee (The Mind of a Chef) and Chef Amanda Freitag (Top Chef, Chopped).

Over at the Kentucky Venues Bourbon Stage, bourbon expert Chris Blandford was joined by the world’s leading bourbon authority Fred Minnick, as well as Chef Amanda Freitag, actors Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley (behind Brother’s Bond Bourbon), actor Graham McTavish (Outlander, Men in Kilts), singer Wayne Newton, and country music artist Hailey Whitters.

In addition, the Bourbon & Basketball panel featured former University of Louisville Championship basketball stars Robbie Valentine, Chris West, Wiley Brown, and Scooter McCray discussing why they love bourbon.

Forbes has said of Bourbon & Beyond, “Since 2017, Bourbon & Beyond has drilled down on Kentucky’s number one export and the presence of its famed Bourbon Trail to give fans a unique opportunity to sample rare whiskeys and Kentucky bourbons. Featuring some of America’s best chefs, the Louisville festival’s celebration of the culinary arts, spirits, live music and more makes it one of America’s most unique festival offerings.”

Other media praise for this year’s event includes:

“When it comes to food and beverage, Bourbon and Beyond doesn’t mess around. In addition to musical guests like The Killers, The Black Keys, Bruno Mars, Blondie, and more, the event also has a stage dedicated for celebrity chefs, world-class bourbon connoisseurs, and notable foodies to hold panels, live podcasts, and interactive tastings.” —Consequence of Sound

“…Bourbon & Beyond has become a top tier event in the state in recent years. This year’s event boasts an epic bourbon lineup containing rare, vintage and experimental versions of the spirit to go with music from Bruno Mars, Brandi Carlile, The Black Keys, Billy Strings and others.” —Wide Open Country

“Beyond music, over a dozen distilleries will be there with more than 100 different varieties of rare, vintage and experimental bourbons to taste. And, because Louisville and Kentucky are culinary destinations, expect local and regional food vendors and chef demos. You may not want to go home.” —Northwest Indiana Times

“The celebration of great music and whiskey is known for offering dozens of specialty bars and exciting musical performances across four days.” —Courier Journal

“It’s September, and right now Louisville is the epicenter of all things music for the entire country with not one but two major music festivals … Nowhere else in the world can you find such an amazing array of extraordinary music, top-notch bourbon, and world-class culinary delights than Bourbon & Beyond. It’s not just another festival, it’s an experience!” —LEO Weekly

Bourbon & Beyond thanks its 2023 premier partners: AARP, Angel’s Envy, Basil Hayden, BeatBox Beverages, Bird Dog Whiskey, Boundary Oak Distillery, Budweiser, Bulleit Bourbon, Copper & Kings, Crowne Plaza, Cutwater Spirits, Delta Dental, Doritos, Ehrler’s Ice Cream, Fender Premium Audio, Galt House Hotel, George Dickel, Heaven’s Door, Jack Daniel’s, Jefferson’s, Jim Beam, Kentucky Lottery, Kentucky Tourism, Knob Creek & Rye, Kentucky Venues, Kentucky Proud, Kroger, Log Still Distillery, Longbranch Bourbon, Louisville Tourism, LYTE, Maker’s Mark, Milagro Tequila, Pappy & Company, Park Community Credit Union, Parlor Root Beer, Pegasus Distilled, Sailor Jerry, Strung, T-Mobile, The Music Experience, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, U.S. Army, and Wild Turkey.

Bourbon & Beyond also thanks its Big Bourbon Bar Partners: Angel’s Envy, Bardstown, Brother’s Bond, Bulleit, Doc Swinson’s Whiskey Collection, Elijah Craig, Four Roses, George Dickel, Green River, Heaven’s Door, Jack Daniel’s, Jefferson’s, Kentucky Peerless, Larceny, Legent, Maker’s 46, Michter’s, Middle West Spirits, Monk’s Road, Old Forester, Rabbit Hole, Resilient Bottled in Bond, Starlight Distillery, Wilderness Trail, and Willett Distillery.

Bourbon & Beyond thanks its non-profit partners: Artists For Trauma, Living The Dream Foundation, Rock Against Racism, Take Me Home, Dare to Care, Louisville Visual Art, Amped, Sweet Evening Breeze and To Write Love on Her Arms.

Highland Festival Grounds at Kentucky Exposition Center is located at 937 Phillips Lane in Louisville, Kentucky.