LOUDER AND BIGGER THAN EVER: Louder Than Life set new attendance record

Nathan Hutchinson, Richmond Register, Ky.
·3 min read

Sep. 30—Nathan Hutchinson

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"I don't believe this is a festival. I believe this is a family reunion of people healing together. That's what the (bleep) I believe this is." — Jelly Roll

And that family just keeps getting bigger and bigger each year.

More than 170,000 people took part in four days of non-stop music — across five stages — at Louder Than Life this past weekend at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville.

The attendance figure not only set a new record for the event — which began in 2014 — but also helped the celebration of music regain the title of the America's Biggest Rock Festival.

The musical line-up featured more than 100 artists, including some of the most influential and popular artists in the world, such as Alice Cooper, Alice in Chains, Lamb of God, Shinedown, Rob Zombie, Tenacious D, Mastodon Halestorm, Papa Roach, The Pretty Reckless, Jelly Roll, Evanescence, Pop Evil and Body Count.

Headlining performances were delivered by Slipknot, Kiss, Nine Inch Nails and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

"I hear there's 70,000 people here (tonight). Wow!" Paul Stanley of Kiss said during Saturday night's finale.

Louder Than Life expanded to four days for the first time last year and drew more than 160,000 fans to Louisville. It was just barely edged out by Welcome to Rockville (161,000) — as the biggest rock festival of 2021.

In addition to Louder Than Life, the Kentucky Exposition Center also played host to another Danny Wimmer Presents production last month.

Bourbon & Beyond brought 140,000 people to Louisville over four days (Sept. 15 through 18) to watch artists like Pearl Jam, Jack White, Kings of Leon and the Doobie Brothers.

The back-to-back festivals were estimated to have a $33 million impact on Louisville, and the surrounding area's, economy. More than 70% of the attendees were from out of state.

Dates for both of next year's festivals have already been released.

Louder Than Life has been scheduled for Sept. 21 through 27, 2023.

Bourbon & Beyond is set for Sept. 14 through 17, 2023.

Since its inception, Louder Than Life has developed a well-earned reputation for rowdy crowds, filled with mosh pits and crowd surfers.

The intensity was amped up even more this year with a steady wave of fans floating towards the front of the stage each day, during almost every performance.

"It's Sunday, ya'll," said Jacoby Shaddix of Papa Roach. "You guys have done four days of rock n' roll. The energy is fantastic. I love to see you guys crowd surf. I need that (bleep)."

Slipknot brought the thousands of "maggots" to a frenzy on Friday night.

"I want to see every crazy (bleep) here at Louder Than Life get down on the ground right now," Corey Taylor told the crowd. "Now, when I say jump the (bleep) up, what are you gonna do?. Not until I say. Then, on my signal, unleash hell."

Attendees at Louder Than Life also enjoyed some of the best food and drinks the Louisville area has to offer, as well as various sponsor activations and experiences.

A new attraction for 2022 at LTL was the Headbanger Hall, which played host to surprise celebrity bartenders, such as Jelly Roll along with members of Theory Of A Deadman, Spiritbox, Crown The Empire, GWAR, Papa Roach and Lamb Of God.

"I really believe music heals people," Jelly Roll said. "They say America is divided, but I look at here and see thousands of people in unison for four (bleeping) days celebrating the spirit of rock n' roll and the spirit of good music."