Bourbon & Beyond releases its 2023 lineup: Who's performing at the bourbon music festival?

Bourbon & Beyond, the world's largest bourbon and music festival, returns Sept. 14-17, at the Highland Festival Grounds at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville.

The celebration of great music and whiskey is known for offering dozens of specialty bars and exciting musical performances across four days. This year, more than 65 musical acts in total will perform at the festival, including headliners Bruno Mars, The Killers, Brandi Carlile (who returns after an incredible set in 2022), and The Black Keys. Recent Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees Duran Duran plus Billy Strings, The Black Crowes, Blondie, The Avett Brothers, Train, Hozier, Jon Batiste, Brittany Howard and more will also play Bourbon & Beyond 2023.

"We were totally blown away by Brandi Carlile's performance at Bourbon & Beyond last year. She is the voice of a generation and her set had such an impact on the crowd, we immediately knew we had to bring her back as a headliner," Danny Wimmer, founder of Danny Wimmer Presents said in the news release. "Having her return as a headliner, along with Bruno Mars, The Killers, The Black Keys as well as 2022 Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame inductees Duran Duran, wow … we can’t wait to share the great community and spirit of bourbon country with the world."

You may like Here's how to get 2023 tickets to Bourbon & Beyond festival in Louisville

Besides four days of music from more than 65 musical acts in Americana, roots, blues, country and rock n roll, the festival offers a range of culinary programming from some of the country's top chefs and a wide palette of bourbon tastings and workshops celebrating the rich culture of Kentucky.

In 2022, Bourbon & Beyond welcomed over 140,000 fans, a record attendance for the festival. Last year's headliners included Chris Stapleton, Pearl Jam, Jack White, Brandi Carlile, Kings of Leon and Alanis Morissette.

"Bourbon & Beyond is our love letter to the city of Louisville and the great state of Kentucky," Wimmer said. "We can’t wait to showcase why Louisville has become our home away from home, so having the opportunity to curate an unbelievable festival experience rooted in amazing musical performances combined with our passion for bourbon and culinary arts is our dream come true.”

In addition to the amazing musical acts, Bourbon & Beyond festival-goers will be treated to one-of-a-kind festival experiences throughout the weekend. The four-day event will feature daily workshops and demonstrations at the Team Kentucky Bourbon Stage Presented by Kentucky Proud and the Kentucky Venues Culinary Stage Presented by GE Appliances, pairing world-renowned master distillers and celebrity chefs, including Chris Santos of "Chopped" and Louisville's Edward Lee, with guest artist appearances and a who’s-who of Kentucky personalities.

Here's what to know about the 2023 Bourbon & Beyond festival:

When is Bourbon & Beyond 2023?

In 2023, the multi-day festival will be held Sept. 14-17.

Where is Bourbon & Beyond 2023?

The four-day music and bourbon festival is held at the Highland Festival Grounds at the Kentucky Exposition Center, 937 Phillips Lane in Louisville.

How do I purchase tickets to Bourbon & Beyond 2023?

Tickets are currently available at bourbonandbeyond.com. Four-day weekend packages range in price from $269.99- $1699 plus fees. Prices typically increase closer to the festival date. Combination passes for Bourbon & Beyond and Louder Than Life, held Sept. 21-24, are also available.

Where do I find more information about the festival?

The Bourbon & Beyond website is a one-stop shop for the festival's entertainment lineup, tickets, camping and hotel packages. The schedule of music performances on the T-Mobile Barrel Stage, SelvaRey Oak Stage and The Bluegrass Situation Stage, as well as the full culinary and bourbon workshop schedule for Bourbon & Beyond is below, and is also available on the festival app (bourbonandbeyond.com/mobileapp).

2023 Bourbon & Beyond Festival lineup

Thursday, Sept. 14

• Brandi Carlile

• Billy Strings

• Train

• Midland

• Buddy Guy

• Mavis Staples

• Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors

• The Lone Bellow

• Brandy Clark

• John Primer

• Stephen Wilson Jr.

• Vivi Rincon

• Kelsey Waldon

• Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper

Friday, Sept. 15

• The Killers

• Duran Duran

• Hozier

• Brittany Howard

• Bastille

• The Gaslight Anthem

• Wayne Newton

• Inhaler

• Joy Oladokun

• Darrel Scott Band

• Boy Named Banjo

• Goodbye June

• The Lil Smokies

• Twisted Pine

• The Cleverlys

Saturday, Sept. 16

• The Black Keys

• The Black Crowes

• The Avett Brothers

• Spoon

• First Aid Kit

• Old Crow Medicine Show

• City and Colour

• Palo Nutini

• Luke Grimes

• Danielle Ponder

• Willie Jones

• Drayton Farley

• Town Mountain

• Della Me

• Sunny War

• Lindsay Lou

Sunday, Sept. 17

• Bruno Mars

• Blondie

• Jon Batiste

• Ryan Bingham

• Babyface

• Aloe Blacc

• ZZ Ward

• Fantastic Negrito

• Maggie Rose

• Hailey Whitters

• Dumpstaphunk

• As You Were

• Dan Tyminski

• Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen

• Lindsay Lou

Which celebrities will take over the Bourbon & Beyond Monogram Culinary Stage?

Chef Chris Santos ("Chopped") and chef Edward Lee ("The Mind of a Chef") will lead off Bourbon & Beyond's multi-sensory culinary opportunities showcasing America’s best chefs. Louisville's Darnell Ferguson ("Food Network" star) and Kentucky's Sara Bradley ("Top Chef" contestant) will also be appearing onstage for culinary demonstrations.

Which spirit experts will be taking the Kentucky Venues Bourbon Stage at Bourbon & Beyond?

The hosts of The Bourbon Experience will include bourbon expert Chris Blandford and Chef Amanda Freitag ("Top Chef" and "Chopped"). They will be joined by special guests including the world’s leading bourbon authority and Louisville resident Fred Minnick, among others.

Other special guests include actors Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley (behind Brother’s Bond Bourbon), actor Graham McTavish ("Outlander," "Men in Kilts"), singer Wayne Newton, and more artists to be announced.

Which bourbons will be featured at the Big Bourbon Bar?

The Big Bourbon Bar will feature a variety of brands which include: Angel’s Envy, Bardstown Bourbon, Basil Hayden’s, BeatBox Beverages, Bluegrass Distillers, BirdDog, Boundary Oak, Brother’s Bond Bourbon, Budweiser, Bulleit Bourbon, Cutwater Spirits, Crowne Plaza Airport Expo, Doc Swinson’s, Elijah Craig, Four Roses, Galt House Hotel, George Dickel, Glencairn, Green River, Heaven’s Door, Huber’s Starlight Distillery, Jack Daniel’s, Jefferson’s, Jim Beam, Kentucky Peerless, Knob Creek, Kentucky Proud, Kentucky Venues, Kroger, Larceny, Legent, Louisville Tourism, Lyte, Maker’s Mark, Maker’s 46, Marriott Louisville Downtown, Michter’s, Middle West, Monk’s Road, Old Forester, Ole Smoky Distillery, Pappy & Co., Pegasus Distilled Experiences, Rabbit Hole, Ragged Branch, Resilient Bottled in Bond, SelvaRay, Starlight Distillery, Stonehammer, T-Mobile, Team Kentucky, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, The Bard Distillery, The Music Experience, Wilderness Trail and more.

Bourbon & Beyond 2023 Monogram Culinary Stage

Including free tasting at every panel

Thursday, Sept. 14

• 3-3:30 p.m.: Spice It Up with Maneet Chauhan (hosted by Chris Santos)

• 4:35-5:05 p.m.: Fire It Up with Kamado Joe's Tom Jackson (hosted by Amanda Freitag)

Friday, Sept. 15

• 2:30-2:55 p.m.: Deep Thoughts with Christian Petroni (hosted by Chris Santos)

• 4-4:30 p.m.: Claudette Zepeda, La Jefa (hosted by Chris Santos)

• 5:30-6 p.m.: Pig Beach “Meats” Louisville (hosted by Ed Lee and featuring Matty B of Pit Beach BBQ)

Saturday, Sept. 16

• 1:30-2 p.m.: Hot Damn, Hot Brown Grilled Cheese with Sara Bradley (hosted by Ed Lee)

• 2:55-3:25 p.m.: Boozy AF, Delicious AF, Easy AF with Amanda Freitag (hosted by Chris Santos)

• 4:15-4:45 p.m.: A Korean BBQ Throwdown with Chefs Ed and Danny Lee and Joe Kwon (Chefs Ed Lee & Danny Lee with Joe Kwon of Avett Brothers)

Sunday, Sept. 17

• 1:30-2 p.m.: Pappy & Company with Chef Ed Lee

• 2:55-3:25 p.m.: Darnell “SuperChef” Ferguson x SelvaRey's Brian Klemm (hosted by Chris Blandford)

Bourbon & Beyond 2023 Kentucky Venues Bourbon Stage

Each panel includes a free tasting

Thursday, Sept. 14

• 2:10-2:55 p.m.: The Firkin Podcast LIVE: Every Drink Tells a Story (hosted by Chris Blandford & Brian Probus)

• 3:35-4:30 p.m.: A Seat at the Table: Grand Traditions with Fresh Perspectives (moderated by Jamar Mack, Kentucky Original Black Bourbon Enthusiasts.) Panelists: Melissa Rift, Master Taster, Old Forester; Richie Michaels, Uncle Nearest; Tracey & Scott Jacobs, Inclusion Brands; Rob Dietrich, Blackened American Whiskey

• 5:10-5:50 p.m.: It’s a Family Affair: Generations of Whiskey (moderated by Chris Blandford.) Panelists: Eddie Russell, master distiller, Wild Turkey; Bruce Russell, associate blender and national ambassador, Wild Turkey

• 6-6:30 p.m.: McTavish Spirits Bottle release with actor Graham McTavish (hosted by Chris Blandford)

Friday, Sept. 15

• 1:40-2:25 p.m.: Building an “Influential” Bourbon Collection: The Expert Edition (moderated by John Wadell, Single Barrel Coordinator – Peerless.) Panelists: Tyler Zoller, Louisville Bourbon Buzz; Brandon Smith, The Daily Dram; Steve Higdon, Big Bourbon Club; Blake Riber, Bourbonr/Seelbach.

• 3-3:45 p.m.: Between the Chefs: Dishing & Drinking (moderated by Chris Blandford.) Panelists: Chef Chris Santos, Chef Darnell Ferguson, Chef Amanda Frietag

• 4:40-5:15 p.m.: Smokin’ and Sippin’: Pairing Cigars with Whisky(moderated by Chris Blandford.) Panelists: Carrie Greener, Pappy & Co.; Willy Herrera, Drew Estate. Special guest, Wayne Newton

• 6:05-7 p.m.: The Firkin Podcast LIVE: Telling Stories (hosted by Chris Blandford.) Special Guests: Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley

Saturday, Sept. 16

• 2:05-2:50 p.m.: Heaven’s Door Barrel Select (hosted by Matt Wheatley, head distiller and distillery manager, Heaven’s Door.)

• 3:30-4:10 p.m.: The Art of Blending (Bardstown) - BBC's Discovery Series (hosted by Dan Callaway, vice president of New Product Development, Bardstown Bourbon Company)

• 4:50-5:30 p.m.: The Big Finish: Barreled Again (moderated by Kenny Coleman, Bourbon Pursuit.) Panelists: Brandon O’Daniel, master distiller, Copper & Kings; Owen Martin, Angel’s Envy; Christian Huber, Starlight Distillery; Jessica-Ann Adkins, H&A Barrel Management.)

• 5:45-6:30 p.m.: The Firkin Podcast LIVE: Every Drink Tells a Story (hosted by Chris Blandford & Brian Probus)

Sunday, Sept. 17

• 2:05-2:50 p.m.: Badass Bartenders & Bourbon (moderated by Ian Sulkowski, Brown-Forman Brand Ambassador.) Panelists: SC Baker, Epiphany Bar and Winner of the 2022 Bourbon & Beyond Cocktail Competition for “The Louisville;” Susie Hoyt, The Pearl; Lily McCabe Lambert, Galaxie Bar; Sherri Jenkins, Epiphany Bar, Freelancer, 2023 USBG Member of the Year

• 3:30-4:10 p.m.: The Firkin Podcast LIVE (hosted by Chris Blandford & Brian Probus.) Special Guest: country music artist Hailey Whitters.

• 5-5:45 p.m.: The Perfect Pairing: Bourbon & Cheese (moderated by Bernie Lubbers.) Panelists: Bernie Lubbers, Heaven Hill; Lisa Ueltschi, Murray’s Cheese Shop; Dewanna Walker, Murray’s Cheese Shop; Chef Amanda Freitag

• 6-7 p.m.: Fred Minnick’s Blind Bourbon Finale: The B&B23 Fan Favorite Is…? (hosted by Fred Minnick, Celebrity Critic and Bestselling Author.) Minnick will survey the five bourbons voted on by patrons during Bourbon & Beyond 2023 and will blindfold select the bourbon that meets his palate for “Best In Show” to win his coveted Ascot Award. The festival patrons’ fan favorite vote will also be announced.

How to win a free VIP Experience to the 2023 Bourbon & Beyond

Louisville residents can enter to win a pair of Weekend Mint VIP passes and an exclusive Meet & Greet with Bruno Mars by visiting a Kroger Wine & Spirits store from Aug. 24 to Sept. 7 and registering via the QR code on location.

Reach Kirby Adams at kadams@courier-journal.com or follow her on Twitter at @kirbylouisville.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Bourbon and Beyond 2023: Tickets, lineup and Big Bourbon Bar features