The final day of Bourbon & Beyond is here. Follow along with Sunday's live updates
We're in the homestretch, music lovers. Sunday is the final day of the epic 2023 Bourbon & Beyond festival, which has taken over the Highland Festival Grounds since Thursday.
And while you might be almost music-ed out, you'll need to muster up some final day energy for today's festival, which includes headliners Bruno Mars, Blondie, Jon Batiste and Ryan Bingham, plus tons of other undercard performers we're excited to see. (Looking at you, Fantastic Negrito and ZZ Ward!).
So follow along below for our live updates throughout the final day of Bourbon & Beyond.
8:30 p.m.: Wrapping it up with Blondie and Bruno
Sunday night headliner and festival closer Bruno Mars had the crowd dancing to his Top 40 hits and couples arm in arm as he belted smooth love songs.
The colorful set was complete with pyrotechnics, guitar and saxophone solos and plenty of choreography.
Blondie lead singer Debbie Harry bantered with the crowd through the venerable band’s set.
They played chart toppers and crowd favorites, including “Call Me,” “One Way or Another,” “The Tide is High” and “Heart of Glass."
.@BlondieOfficial rocking it at @BourbonNBeyond @courierjournal pic.twitter.com/TMoNPPOHBE
— Kathryn Gregory (@kitgregory) September 17, 2023
Some @BlondieOfficial boomerangs at #BourbonAndBeyond pic.twitter.com/SRsoWhQ4iV
— Matthew Glowicki (@MattGlo) September 18, 2023
8 p.m.: Ditching the denim for pajamas
In a sea of denim, a pair of bright red pajamas stood out in the crowd sprawled out on the lawn Sunday evening at Bourbon & Beyond.
Carlie McClurg and Miles Baker, a couple from Columbus, Ohio, donned the red pajamas as a tribute to Bruno Mars, who wore the look in one of his most popular music videos.
“I thought it would be funny,” said McClurg, adding they’d taken pictures with others in the same outfit that afternoon.
Both came to Louisville, with their fathers, for their first Mars show (and Baker’s first ever concert).
“I like him because he’s different than what other people do,” Baker said.
The pair planned to weave through the crowd to get closer by the time Mars took the stage to close out the four-day festival.
6:45 p.m.: Maggie Rose returns to Bourbon & Beyond
Singer-songwriter Maggie Rose returned to the Bourbon & Beyond stage, having made her festival debut in 2019.
She remembers a very receptive audience at that first appearance and enjoying few post-set bourbon samples with wine and spirits writer Fred Minnick.
“It’s at the top for me,” Rose said of the festival. “It’s definitely among the handful of festivals that’s so well organized. They curate great talent for the lineup but also it’s a nice variety that I think attracts a really cool music-loving audience.”
The Maryland native said she’s been to Louisville a handful of times, often going to the Kentucky Derby and performing at distilleries around town.
Rose played the title track off her forthcoming album, “No One Gets Out Alive,” due out in early 2024.
“It sounds ominous but it’s actually about cherishing the time we have while we have it,” she said.
Caught up with singer songwriter @IAmMaggieRose backstage at #BourbonAndBeyond after her set.
She played the title song off her upcoming album, “No One Gets Out Alive.”
And yes, that is a thrifted marching band jacket that’s been blinged out. pic.twitter.com/LPgXiaFuyI— Matthew Glowicki (@MattGlo) September 17, 2023
6 p.m: A Bourbon & Beyond birthday bash with Bruno
On Sunday, we ran into a group of six women (who are here in a total group of 17), all sporting matching shirts that say “If lost, please return to Bruno Mars.”
The group, from Michigan, came to their first Bourbon & Beyond for a very special reason — a birthday.
The back of each shirt says “Maycee’s 14th Birthday.”
The birthday girl, whose actual birthday is Sunday, was sporting a purple crown and was looking forward to seeing her favorite artist take the stage Sunday evening.
“She’s a huge fan,” one person in the group said. “We’ll be dancing later.”
5:30 p.m.: Custom earrings for a first Bourbon & Beyond
Longtime friends Laura Stewart, Joann Richards and Sue Arnold, from various parts of Ohio, came to Bourbon & Beyond to see Blondie and Bruno Mars. The trio was sporting custom-made earrings from Muddy Lotus Lifestyle artisan in Cincinnati, featuring the pop star’s likeness.
The trio made the trek to Louisville for their first Bourbon & Beyond because of Bruno Mars.
“We were supposed to see him in 2021 but it got canceled because of the pandemic,” Stewart said. “We’re festival goers so it just seemed like a really good time.”
Richards said she’s been to Louisville multiple times for Louder Than Life, but this was her first Bourbon & Beyond.
“I’m trying to come back next week but we don’t have tickets. I’m trying to convince my husband,” she added, with a laugh.
Saturday’s highlight for the friends was The Black Crowes. “They were great,” Arnold said.
4:45 p.m.: Where does a celebrity chef eat in Louisville?
Chef Amanda Freitag makes the Bourbon & Beyond festival an annual staple on her calendar.
The Food Network star made multiple appearances on the bourbon and culinary stages over the weekend, taking in all four days of the festival’s music lineup.
“I’m just so happy to be back, and I can’t wait for next year,” she said Sunday afternoon. “I can’t wait to see Blondie and Bruno Mars and just meet some more fans and make new friends.”
Among her highlights this year was seeing Duran Duran (“teenage Amanda was excited”) and disc jockey and television host Matt Pinfield, of MTV fame.
The celebrity chef also explored Louisville’s culinary scene, taking in brunch at Gralehaus.
“We were there last year and we loved it,” she said. “So delicious. I would come back again every year, make sure that’s an annual visit.”
She also dined at Chef Edward Lee’s new Korean steakhouse, Nami.
“It was… I just can’t even describe. Every bite was perfect. It was perfection.”
She capped her Saturday night in Louisville with a trip to Bardstown Road.
“Last night we ended up at Akiko’s for a little karaoke,” she said, laughing. “So I’m losing my voice.”
4 p.m.: Female bartenders take center stage
We swung by the “Badass Bartenders and Bourbon” panel, which features four female bartenders from Louisville: SC Baker with Epiphany Bar and Winner of the B&B Cocktail Competition for “The Louisville,” Susie Hoyt with The Pearl, Lili McCabe Lambert with Galaxie Bar, and Sherri Jenkins with Epiphany Bar who is the 2023 United States Bartenders' Guild Member of the Year.
The bartenders each created a cocktail using Old Forester — The Trifecta, Safety Meeting, a Boulevardier and Perrine’s Joy — each using a different Old Forester expression.
The panel focused on the impact female bartenders have on the cocktail industry locally and how the diversity of people behind the bar allowed the city's cocktail culture to grow and change.
“We’ve been able to shine and be more creative and I think Louisville is moving in the right from an equity standpoint,” Hoyt said.
McCabe Lambert said when she was creating her cocktail using Old Forester 1870, she wanted to do something “to showcase my creativity as a bartender but also showcase the brand.”
Her cocktail featured three ingredients, including a homemade apple butter syrup. Though all the cocktails featured a unique rift on ingredients, from peach shrub to espresso, it was McCabe Lambert’s “The Trifecta” that took home top honors.
“Thanks for voting for me, everyone,” she said to the cheering crowd Sunday.
3:30 p.m.: 'Every day has been a good day'
Karina Harty-Morrison and Nick Morrison drove down from Columbus, Ohio, for their first Bourbon & Beyond.
The couple, who came down with some other couples (and left their kids at home), are camping for the weekend. So far, they said the standout performances of the weekend have been The Black Keys, The Black Crowes and The Killers.
“To be able to see The Black Crowes was life-changing,” Karina said. But really, “every day has been a good day … to see that lineup and be able to come down … it’s been great.”
The couple said the camping experience was also a highlight.
“We like that we have the in-and-out privileges so we can come and go if we need. And I feel like there’s a really friendly crowd in the camping area so we’ve been able to kind of extend it beyond the actual festival,” she added.
The couple was looking forward to seeing Jon Batiste on the final day and promised they’d record a couple of Bruno Mars songs for their 11-year-old daughter.
1:45 p.m.: Bruno Mars with a side of hooky
Miles Manthey and son Ryker Manthey, 11, of the Chicago area, came to Bourbon & Beyond for one thing.
“Definitely Bruno Mars,” was the draw, Miles said, adding his son “is a huge fan.”
“We drove down yesterday, had some fun last night and then we’re here all day today,” Miles added.
Ryker said his favorite Bruno Mars song is “That’s What I Like,” and hoped he played it at Sunday’s show, saying he’d be up there dancing and singing all the words.
A bonus, the duo is driving back tomorrow, so Ryker gets to take the day off from school.
11 a.m.: What's the best-in-show bourbon at Bourbon & Beyond?
If you are attending the music festival on Sunday, be sure to stop by a special bourbon event hosted by Fred Minnick highlighting the best bourbon of the four-day event.
At 6 p.m. on the Kentucky Venues Stage, Minnick will survey the five bourbons voted on by fans during Bourbon and Beyond 2023 and will blindfold select the bourbon that meets his particular palate for ‘best in show’ to win his coveted "Ascot Award."
We caught up with Minnick Saturday, so take a listen above and see what to expect Sunday night.
See it all: Photos from all four days of Bourbon & Beyond 2023
9 a.m.: Heading to Bourbon & Beyond? Don't miss your chance to see this cocktail competition winner
It's the last day of Bourbon and Beyond, but there's still a lot to do. If you're heading to the Highland Festival Grounds today, swing by the Kentucky Venues Bourbon stage for a panel at 2:05 p.m. called "Badass Bartenders & Bourbon" that features 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; and Sherri Jenkins, Epiphany Bar, Freelancer, 2023 USBG Member of the Year.
Last year, Baker won the Bourbon & Beyond competition for her cocktail "The Louisville," which features Knob Creek bourbon with dry curacao, lime juice, cinnamon syrup, and the Italian bitter aperitif Cynar.
"It's a really approachable cocktail, despite being seemingly complex," she said in 2022. "I want people to have fun. I want people to experience bourbon in a new way that doesn't have to be as austere as some people present it. It can be really fun and accessible."
What is the weather forecast for Sunday at Bourbon & Beyond?
Right now, there's a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 77. Calm wind becoming west 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon. A 10% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 p.m. Mostly clear, with a low around 54. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Whose performing Sunday at Bourbon & Beyond?
T-Mobile Barrel Stage
As You Were: 11:55 a.m. to 2:20 p.m.
Hailey Whitters: 1-1:30 p.m.
Fantastic Negrito: 2:15-2:55 p.m.
Aloe Blacc: 3:50-4:35 p.m.
Ryan Bingham: 5:35-6:30 p.m.
Blondie: 7:40-9 p.m.
Selvarey Oak Stage
Dumpstaphunk: 12:25-12:55 p.m.
Maggie Rose: 1:35-2:10 p.m.
ZZ Ward: 3-3:45 p.m.
BabyFace: 4:40-5:30 p.m.
Jon Batiste: 6:35-7:35 p.m.
Bruno Mars: 9:05-10:45 p.m.
The Bluegrass Situation Stage
Pixie & The Partygrass Boys: 12:30-1:15 p.m.
Lindsay Lou: 1:45-2:30 p.m.
Arcadian Wild: 3-3:45 p.m.
Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen: 4:15-5:15 p.m.
Dan Tyminski: 5:45-6:45 p.m.
Bourbon & Beyond 2023 Monogram Culinary Stage
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
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 artistHailey 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.
Where can I park on Sunday 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 business and development reporter Matthew Glowicki at mglowicki@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 final day in Louisville
