'Purveyors of rock 'n' roll.' Relive all the Day 2 action at Bourbon & Beyond

Day two of the 2023 Bourbon & Beyond promises to be "killer." The weather looks great, the bourbon is flowing and The Killers are Friday's headliner proceeded by Duran Duran. What a lineup!

If you haven't heard, the world's largest bourbon and music festival is taking over the Highland Festival Grounds at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville through Sunday.

The multi-day celebration of top-shelf music and jammin' whiskey is known for offering dozens of specialty bars and exciting musical performances across four days. The 2023 festival has brought together more than 65 musical acts 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.

Besides multiple days of music from more than 60 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.

And we're here all weekend. Follow along with our live updates to see all the action and happenings at Bourbon & Beyond.

9:37 p.m.: Time for The Killers

“It’s been four long years since we’ve been here, Louisville. There’s been a lot of changes, but one thing remains the same. If you’re looking for some rock 'n' roll, we are purveyors of some of the finest rock 'n' roll,” The Killers lead singer Brandon Flowers said to a packed crowd Friday night.

8 p.m.: A proposal at Hozier

Congratulations! Hozier just announced an engagement in the front row during his Bourbon and Beyond performance. We’re too far back in the crowd to see the lucky couple - but best wishes just the same.

7:30 p.m.: From Chicago and Austin to see The Killers

Erica Rosskamm, from Austin, Texas and Jessie Lai, from Chicago, were in town for their first Bourbon and Beyond and excited to see The Killers.

The friends, who met in Chicago, only had Friday passes but added some extra sightseeing activities to their trip to Louisville, including a bourbon tour earlier in the day at Castle & Key Distillery.

“We’re having a big Chicago reunion. There’s a big group of us here,” Lai said.

In addition to a bourbon tour, the friends also took some time to play Pickleball on the Ohio River.

“We love it, it’s so fun,” the pair said of Louisville.

6:30 p.m.: Bluegrass with The Cleverlys

The Courier Journal was so excited to sit down with The Cleverlys. If you haven’t heard this band do yourself a favor, they are hilarious. And really fine banjo, fiddle and bass musicians. Their bluegrass versions of popular songs like Katy Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl,” Blackstreet’s “No Diggity” and “Gangnam Style” by Psy are pure genius.

“We all come with ideas for songs and there is really no rhyme or reason. At this point we know if it will be successful or not,” said Paul Harris. “It’s got to be something our audience will like, which is literally 9-90.”

The Cleverly’s bluegrass version of Flo Rida’s “Low“ and Radiohead’s “Creep” are good selections to add to your Spotify lineup. Plus they recently released a new album “Solid Butter,” which is destined to become a solid hit.

5 p.m.: Wayne Newton smokes cigars, drinks expensive Pappy

After his set, Mr. Las Vegas Wayne Newton visited the Smokin’ and Sippin’ panel to drink some Pappy Van Winkle 23-year alongside Carrie Greener of Pappy & Co., and Willy Herrera of Drew Estate cigars.

4:45 p.m.: Is that a Star chef we see?

Kirby Adams bumped into Louisville’s Superchef Darnell Ferguson ("Food Network Star") on his way to a food panel at Friday’s Bourbon and Beyond. He’ll be doing a food demo at 2:55 p.m., Sunday, with SelvaRey Rum and invites everyone to stop by if you are at the festival on the final day.

4:30 p.m.: First festival fashion

Leaven and Tony Sackett, from Cincinnati, are attending their first Bourbon & Beyond. The couple drove to Louisville late Thursday night but were at the festival grounds early Friday.

“We’re just excited to be here,” Leaven said, who was sporting some knee-high black motorcycle boots and a breezy summer dress.

The couple was excited to see The Black Keys and The Killers.

“Can’t wait,” Tony said.

Julian Bernal and Andrea Florez, of Tennessee, were also attending their first Bourbon & Beyond.

“We’re excited to see The Killers and Hozier, pretty much everyone,” Julian said.

The couple, who wore complementary festival outfits, said there was no secret to their spot-on festival look.

“We just looked around at what people wear to these kind of events and went from there,” he added.

4:00 p.m.: One band's 'secret sauce.' Hint: It's bourbon

Goodbye June, a rock band from Nashville, performed early in the day Friday at Bourbon & Beyond. The band is composed of cousins Landon Milbourn (lead vocals, tambourine), Brandon Qualkenbush (rhythm guitar, bass, drums, backing vocals), and Tyler Baker (lead guitar). The cousins have their own bourbon, 3 Chord Bourbon, which can be ordered on their website.

“We may have had a little before our set,” Qualkenbush said. “It’s our secret sauce.”

3:30 p.m.: Comfortable, Montana style

Emory Ycaza and Squire Hobgood traveled all the way from Montana for their second Bourbon and Beyond.

“It was so just so much fun last year, we just loved it,” Hobgood said, so when the lineup came out for this year, they knew they had to come back.

“We’re camping this year too, so it’s a whole different vibe out there,” Ycaza said.

On day two, the pair opted for some tried and true, comfortable outfits.

“I dressed all cute yesterday and wore a dress for like the first time ever and I wasn’t as comfortable as I wanted to be so now I am going for comfort,” Ycaza said of her look, which featured a breezy coverup and cowboy boots.

Hobgood opted for comfortable overalls.

“This is what I wear every day in Montana, so here I am,” she said.

3 p.m.: Wayne Newton brings Las Vegas to Louisville

The Highland Festival Grounds felt a bit like the Vegas Strip Friday afternoon.

Dressed in a crisp black suit with a cherry red pocket square, Wayne Newton − yes, The Wayne Newton − serenaded the crowd with a golden microphone as he sang “My Way,” “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” and of course “Danke Schoen.”

“We grew up with Wayne Newton and to see him here on the Bourbon and Beyond stage is really special and fun,” said Matt Dragatsis, who is visiting from Denver.

The 81-year-old performer, known as “Mr. Las Vegas," put on a slick set and spoke often to the crowd gathered in the 2 p.m. sun, occasionally commenting on the early set time.

“Oh, excuse − I keep calling this 'the evening.' These are not my normal hours,” laughed Newton.

2:30 p.m.: Picking the right outfit takes time

Alex Driscoll and Angela Kraft, from Cincinnati, are attending their first Bourbon and Beyond and looking forward to seeing Hozier and The Killers.

“I’m really excited about seeing Black Keys tomorrow,” Driscoll said.

The pair, who drove in for Thursday’s show, said headliner Brandi Carlile, who also performed in 2022, was top-notch

“No wonder they asked her back. She was incredible,” Driscoll said.

The friends spent weeks figuring out the perfect festival outfit with Driscoll picking a yellow dress from Urban Outfitters and some ankle cowboy boots, while Kraft opted for a handkerchief tank top and shorts.

“I’ve been stressing about what to wear to this music festival for like months and wanted something that was boho and rock that fit all the different genres,” Driscoll said.

“Yeah the vibe is all over the place,” Kraft said. “But I love looking around and everyone is wearing something fun.”

10 a.m.: Heading to Bourbon & Beyond today? Don't miss Wayne Newton!

"Mr. Las Vegas" himself, Wayne Newton, is performing at Bourbon & Beyond today at 1:40 p.m. on the Selvarey Oak Stage.

The 81-year-old entertainer has been a mainstay on "The Strip" for more than 60 years and we're 99.9% positive Newton is the only musician performing at the four-day festival who personally knew members of the Rat Pack — Frank Sintra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr.

Newton is also scheduled to be a special guest on the Kentucky Venues Bourbon Stage for "Smokin' and Sippin,'" a bourbon and cigar workshop from 4:40-5:15 p.m.

As reporter Kirby Adams wrote earlier this week: "We have to say "Danke Shoen" (thank you) to the festival producers for booking this legend on the 2023 lineup."

8:30 a.m.: What is the weather forecast for Friday at Bourbon & Beyond?

According to the National Weather Service office in Louisville, the forecast for Friday is sunny, with a high near 81 degrees with a light and variable wind. Friday night will be mostly clear, with a low around 55 degrees, which means you may need a jacket by the time Hozier, Duran Duran and The Killers take the stage.

8:15 a.m.: Road closures around Highland Festival Grounds

Heading to Bourbon & Beyond today? You might need a heads-up about some road closures in the area.

Gate 1 of the Kentucky Exposition Center, where parking is located, is closed, so people going to the festivals will need to use Preston Highway to enter through Gate 6 or Crittenden Drive to access Gate 2 and Gate 4.

Phillips Lane from Preston Highway to Freedom Way has been closed since Sept. 4. There are a few interstate ramp closures that might impact your drive, too:

Insterstate ramp closures: now through Sept. 17 from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.

• Interstate 264 Eastbound ramp to Phillips Lane / Kentucky Exposition Center Gate 1

• Interstate 264 Westbound ramp to Phillips Lane / Kentucky Exposition Center Gate 1

• Interstate 65 Northbound ramp to Phillips Lane / Kentucky Exposition Center Gate 1

• Interstate 65 Southbound ramp to Phillips Lane / Kentucky Exposition Center Gate 1

Whose performing Friday at Bourbon & Beyond?

Here's the lineup for Bourbon & Beyond on Friday, Sept. 15:

T-Mobile Barrel Stage

• Goodbye June: 11:55 a.m. to 12:25 p.m.

• Darrel Scott Band: 1:05-1:35 p.m.

• Inhaler: 2:20-3 p.m.

• Gaslight Anthem: 3:55-4:40 p.m.

• Bastille: 5:40-6:40 p.m.

• Duran Duran: 7:50-9:10 p.m.

Selvarey Oak Stage

• Boy Named Banjo: 12:30-1 p.m.

• Wayne Newton: 1:40-2:15 p.m.

• Joy Oladokun: 3:05-3:50 p.m.

• Brittany Howard: 4:45-5:35 p.m.

• Hozier: 6:45-7:45 p.m.

• The Killers: 9:15-10:45 p.m.

The Bluegrass Situation Stage

• Armchair Boogie: 12:30-1:15 p.m.

• Lola Kirke: 1:45-2:30 p.m.

• Twisted Pine: 3-3:45 p.m.

• The Cleverlys: 4:15-5:15 p.m.

• The Lil' Smokies: 5:45-6:45 p.m.

Bourbon & Beyond 2023 Monogram Culinary Stage

Including free tasting at every panel

• 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)

Bourbon & Beyond 2023 Kentucky Venues Bourbon Stage

Including free tasting at every panel

• 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

You may like: Bourbon and Beyond 2023: Lineup, stages and set times for Friday in Louisville

Where can I park on Friday at Bourbon & Beyond?

General parking will be available at the Kentucky Expo Center for a daily fee of $30. Parking is not reserved and your vehicle will be parked based on your arrival time and entrance point into the Kentucky Expo Center parking lots. Visit any of the Entrance Gates at the Kentucky Exposition Center, including Gate 2, Gate 4, and Gate 6. It is suggested to arrive early if you’d like to park on-site.

Parking lots open at 10 a.m. Cash will be accepted.

Reach features reporter Kirby Adams at kadams@courier-journal.com. Reach features editor Kathryn Gregory at kgregory@courier-journal.com.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: LIVE: 2023 Bourbon & Beyond music festival Day 2 in Louisville