2022 Bourbon & Beyond Festival Returns in a Big Way – Sets Record with 140K Bourbon, Food & Music Fans

Bourbon & Beyond Festival in Louisville, Kentucky started as an idea in 2017. In its first year it set a record with 50,000 fans as one of the largest bourbon, food and music festivals in the world. Unfortunately, the festival has been on hiatus for the last two years because of the pandemic. That all changed in 2022 as Bourbon & Beyond returned bigger and badder than ever. Over the years, the festival has expanded from two to four days to squeeze more and more experiences. With picture perfect weather for this year’s event the festival welcomed 140,000 bourbon, food and music fans with temperatures that never exceeded 86 degrees, a steady light breeze and not a single drop of rain.

This year’s one-of-a-kind entertainment offerings included some of the best and brightest music stars in Americana, roots, blues, country and rock n roll, as well as 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 Louisville.

Bourbon & Beyond – The Music

Bourbon & Beyond’s memorable music performances included a rousing set by fan favorites Pearl Jam on Saturday. It was their first time back in Louisville since 1994 and their only U.S. festival appearance this year. The quartet played a number of hits from their classic debut album Ten and ended with a cover of Prince’s “Purple Rain.” Earlier in the day, singer Eddie Vedder made a surprise appearance during a set from Crowded House’s Neil Finn and son Liam Finn. Vedder guested on “World Where You Live” by Crowded House as well as “I Got You” by Neil Finn’s former band Split Enz.

Sunday’s headliner and Kentucky native Chris Stapleton delivered a stacked set that merged country, southern rock and blues and showed why he’s been named the Academy of Country Music’s first-ever Artist-Songwriter of the Decade. In addition to his mega hits like “Parachute,” Stapleton also brought out guitarist Mike Campbell for a few songs. Campbell – known as a member of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers – had a set earlier in the day with his band The Dirty Knobs and later joined Stapleton for a cover of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers’ “I Should Have Known it” as well as the song “Arkansas” that he wrote with Stapleton.

Thursday night closed with a knock-out set from Jack White, who covered parts of his entire catalog with solo works as well as numbers from The White Stripes, The Raconteurs and The Dead Weather including “The Hardest Button to Button” and “Steady As She Goes.” The performance comes at a time that American Songwriter calls “one of the most significant years” in his life.

Friday night also featured headliner Kings of Leon fresh off a summer tour of Europe and their first show in Louisville since 2017, delivering hits like “Sex On Fire” and “Use Somebody.” Also, that day the Followill family unveiled their brand-new whiskey line “Kiamichi” at Bourbon & Beyond, which offers a 5-year rye, 8-year rye, and a 19-year bourbon available to buy later this year.

Other memorable performances included The Doobie Brothers 50th anniversary celebration featuring Michael McDonald, Pat Simmons, Tom Johnston and John McFee, Brandi Carlile, Alanis Morissette, Greta Van Fleet, Father John Misty, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, St. Vincent, NEEDTOBREATHE, The Revivalists, Caamp, Japanese Breakfast, Lukas Nelson & POTR, Courtney Barnett, Cold War Kids, Marcus King, and many more. In total, 80 artists played on four stages throughout the weekend.