Hundreds of band sets have been played this year at festivals across the US. Thousands of people have played integral parts in making sure that both fans and bands fully enjoy and maximize their music festival experience. Danny Wimmer Presents (DWP) has become the standard for festivals nationwide, offering fans the ultimate festival experience meshed with some of the biggest musical acts worldwide.
Fall kicked in with near record high temperatures in Louisville, KY, home of the Louder Than Life Festival. A year removed from a complete washout, the festival kicked off in its new home, the Highlands Festival Grounds at the Kentucky Expo Center.
Festivals are typically successful based on their headliners; however, festivals of this size are made by the bands that play early in the day. Year in and out DWPfestivals seem to find those early day gems that electrify crowds and seem to take off thanks to the exposure these shows offer. Last year’s diaper dandy, Fever333, wowed crowds in route to massive success over the past year.
One thing that the rock and metal community is known for is its diverse musical pallet. DWPhas excelled at not only adding young talented bands, but also mixing in seasoned veterans from across the different sub-genres of rock with the occasional surprise. This year’s Louder Than Life Music Festival gave us exactly that.
Day 1 Highlights(Slipknot, Staind, A Day To Remember, Chevelle, I Prevail, Beartooth, Motionless In White, Philip Anselmo and The Illegals, Graveyard, New Years Day, Wilson, All Them Witches, GWAR, The Crystal Method, Crown Lands, Dead Posey, Santa Cruz)
Day 1 of the festival brought some heavy hitters however none more impressive than legendary Pantera frontman Phil Anselmo & The Illegals. A Pantera filled set that included a riveting version of the classic “Walk” that included a few members from GWAR sent the masses into a frenzy.
The festival opened with Wilson, a regular on this year’s festival scene, included in their set was a cover of Limp Bizkit’s “Rollin,” which seemed to fire up the crowd.
The long awaited return of Staind did not disappoint as the band came out firing on all cylinders with a stage show to match their intensity. They lit up the Louisville night with pyro and a light show that took the crowd by surprise.
The long awaited return of Slipknotto the festival scene was epic and a fitting end to an amazing first day at LTL2019. Fresh off the band’s US run of the Knotfest Roadshow, Slipknotwith Corey Taylorat the helm, brought the furry that one expects from a Slipknotset.
Day 2 Highlights(Guns N’ Roses, Godsmack, Ice Cube, Halestorm, Dropkick Murphys, Stone Temple Pilots, Suicidal Tendencies, Badflower, Anti-Flag, Parlor Mob, Dirty Honey, Amigo The Devil, Melvins, Andrew W.K., Knocked Loose, Redd Kross, Jelly Roll, Junkbunny, The Pink Slips)
The most eclectic day of the weekend may have been day two that brought Guns N Roses, Ice Cube and some of punk rocks mainstays in Suicidal Tendenciesand Anti-Flag.
Day 2 brought more heat as the crowd surfing index was turned-up to insanity, which included a surfing Santa and Jesus. Over the course of the three days, LTL2019 may have set the record for most crowd surfers at a festival. Perhaps DWPwill find a way to make that happen in 2020. Kudos to the security teams working those pits and keeping everyone safe all weekend long.
Suicidal Tendencies, Anti-Flag and theIrish punk rockers Dropkick Murphysabsolutely crushed it on Saturday with three of the more intense, in your face sets of the day. These guys may have not been on the radar for some in attendance; however, guaranteed that they have been added to a few more playlists since their sets at LTL2019.
Halestormand Godsmack made a stop at LTL2019 as they are currently on tour together and there aren’t many as fiery and intense on stage as Lzzy Hale and Sully Erna. Both bands combined both new and old music to deliver strong sets.
How do you end an intense day of music? How about a 3-hour set from none other than Guns N Roses that just shredded the Louisville night and sent the masses home wondering how day three could top the first two days of the festival. GnR wrapped day two with a 28-song set that included covers of Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here” and Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun.”
Day 3(Disturbed, Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson, Breaking Benjamin, In This Moment, Three Days Grace, Demon Hunter, Sum 41, DED, White Reaper, Sick Puppies, Deadland Ritual, Ho99o9, Angel Du$t, Fire From The Gods, Anemic Royalty)
More sunshine and more heat on day three as the last day of the festival did not slow down as the crowd surfers were right back at it and ready to party. Louisville’s White Reaper made their Louder Than Life debut in front of the hometown crowd, while Sick Puppies, Sum 41, Ded, andDemon Hunter set the tone early with some Sunday afternoon high-octane sets.
The most notable highlight of the day was Deadland Ritual featuring Black Sabbath bass legend Geezer Butler with former and current members of Billy Idol, Guns N Roses and Apocalyptica.
Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson, and In This Moment delivered inspirational sets filled with a theatrical flair as each band puts their own spin on an industrial metal sound that separates them from most metal acts. Each band offers a unique visual and audio experience that draws fans in.
Disturbed closed out the 2019 Louder Than Life Festivalas the band’s frontman, David Draiman, addressed the crowd on multiple occasions throughout the band’s set to talk of unity and to remind people that they ae not alone. As well as a touching dedication to Metallica’s James Hatfield who is currently battling addiction.
In addition to the amazing talent on display these past three days, the weekend would not have been as successful without festival partners such as Blackcraft Cult, Slipknot No. 9 Whiskey, The Music Experience, Jeptha Creed Distilling, Fxck Cancer, Monster Energy and many more.
See everyone in 2020!
