4 music festival, plus 13 other concerts heading to Louisville in May. Here's what to know
There's a monstrous amount of music and entertainment making its way to Derby City in May.
We'll start by mentioning that Louisville native Jack Harlow has pulled together a stellar lineup for his first multi-artist festival on Memorial Day weekend. Gazebo Fest, a two-day music event held May 25 -26 at Waterfront Park, will feature multiple acts including SZA and Vince Staples on Saturday and Harlow and Omar Apollo on Sunday. For the full lineup and tickets check out gazebofest.com.
But first, Poorcastle returns for a tenth year May 17-19. The three-day festival fueled by more than 30 local artists is held at Breslin Park, 1400 Payne St. Tickets start at $35 for the multi-day concerts. Visit poorcastle.com for information and tickets.
Memorial Day weekend marks the return of the world's largest Beattles-inspired music festival at Big Four Station Park in Jeffersonville, Indiana. Fans of the Fab Four are looking forward to the return of Abbey Road on the River. The five-day festival, held May 23-27, features Beatles and 60s-themed concerts performed by 50 different bands from around the world. The festival lineup and ticket information are available online at arotr.com.
And if Bluegrass music is your thing, Forest Fest is back for its 17th year on Saturday, May 18. This free day-long music festival is held in Jefferson Memorial Forest, 12304 Holsclaw Hill Road in Fairdale. The 2024 lineup includes The Montvales, Relaay, Bibelhauser Brothers, The Wheelhouse Rousters, and Songs From The Road Band. For more information visit, facebook.com/ForestFestLouisville.
Here are more of the major entertainment acts headed to town in May.
Greta Van Fleet
WHAT: Back in Louisville for the first time since a 2022 Bourbon & Beyond Festival appearance, Grammy-winning rock band Greta Van Fleet makes a stop at KFC YUM Center as part of the band's successful "Starcatcher World Tour." The Michigan-bred, Nashville-based rockers won the Grammy for Best Rock Album in 2019 with "From the Fires" and were nominated in the same category for its most recent studio album "Starcatcher" at the 66th Grammy Awards held in February 2024.
WHERE: KFC Yum Center, 1 Arena Plaza
WHEN: Thursday, May 16
COST: Tickets start at $50. Find tickets online at kfcyumcenter.com.
Jerry Seinfeld
WHAT: Button up your "puffy shirt" and "giddy up" to the Louisville Palace Theater for a night of laughs and "yada yada yada." America's favorite standup comedian and sitcom star, Jerry Seinfeld is coming to Louisville for two shows in May.
WHERE: The Louisville Palace, 625 S Fourth St.
WHEN: Friday, May 17 at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
COST: Tickets start at $87. Purchase tickets online at livenation.com.
Heart
WHAT: The legendary rock band Heart has gone back on the road for the first time after a five-year hiatus. Heart, which was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013, is known for hits, “Magic Man,” “Barracuda,” “Crazy on You,” and “These Dreams." The band's current lineup includes Nancy Wilson, Ann Wilson, Ryan Wariner, Ryan Waters, Paul Moak, Tony Lucido, and Sean T Lane. The celebrated rock band Cheap Trick joins Heart on the Royal Flush Tour 2024.
WHERE: KFC Yum Center, 1 Arena Plaza
WHEN: Saturday, May 18
COST: Tickets start at $35. Purchase tickets online at kfcyumcenter.com
Here are other shows taking place this month:
Brown Theatre
315 W. Broadway, kentuckyperformingarts.org
David Feherty: Thursday, May 16
Kentucky Center for Performing Arts
501 W Main St., kentuckyperformingarts.org
Ali Siddiq: Friday, May 10
PNC Broadway in Louisville presents "Beetlejuice": May 14-19
The Louisville Palace
625 S Fourth St., livenation.com
An Evening with Patti LaBelle: Friday, May 10
City and Colour: Tuesday, May 14
Gary Clark Jr.: Wednesday, May 22
Chicago: Friday, Mary 24
Mercury Ballroom
611 S. Fourth St. 4th St., mercuryballroom.com
Better Than Ezra: Tuesday, May 7
Old Forester's Paristown Hall
724 Brent St., kentuckyperformingarts.org
Slowdrive: Tuesday, May 7
Old Crow Medicine Show: Friday, May 10
Reach features reporter Kirby Adams at kadams@courier-journal.com.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: May concerts in Kentucky Gazebo Fest, Greta Van Fleet, Heart, Chicago
