May in Louisville, Kentucky is all about the big horse race, while July has become all about music festivals. Last weekend, Forecastle wrapped up at Waterfront Park, featuring over one hundred bands including the Smashing Pumpkins, Flaming Lips, Widespread Panic and a reunited Cap’n Jazz. Next weekend, the first annual HullabaLOU Festival kicks off at the same venue as that big horse race, Churchill Downs.
While most of the big music festivals today like Bonnaroo, Coachella, Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits have a high crossover rate, not just with the bands but the fans as well, it appears that HullabaLOU is seperating themselves from everyone else by offering something a little bit different. Most of the acts they’ve booked aren’t exactly the types of bands that usually play festivals, as most of them are more mainstream and would probably appeal to the classic rock/Top 40 radio listener.
Friday, July 23 features a headlining performance from Bon Jovi, as well as acts like Dierks Bentley, The O’ Jays, Gladys Knight and the Doobie Brothers. Other acts of note include the B-52′s, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Train, Colbie Caillat, The Travelin’ McCourys with Dan Tyminski, Sam Bush, Chrisette Michele, Exile and the Whiskey Bent Valley Boys.
Saturday, July 24 features a headlining performance from Kenny Chesney, as well as acts like Jason Aldean, Al Green, Huey Lewis & the News, Gov’t Mule and Ricky Skaggs. Other acts of note include Sara Evans, Michael McDonald, John Kay & Steppenwolf, Joan Osbourne, Ben Folds, War, Musiq Soulchild, Ben Sollee, Relic, The Tillers and Kim Taylor.
Sunday, July 25 features a headlining performance from the Dave Matthews Band, as well as acts like the Zac Brown Band, Loretta Lynn, Taj Mahal, the Black Crowes and the Avett Brothers. Other acts of note include the Steve Miller Band, Dwight Yoakam, .38 Special, Tonic, Rhonda Vincent and Michael Jonathon.
Tickets are still available, which can be bought as weekend passes, they cost $200, or daily passes, which range from the general admission $75, to the VIP $295. For more information on HullabaLOU, click here.