Louisville is often referred to as a “little big city.” I think this is very true. Everyone seems to be one person away from getting to know each other. This can be comforting as well as communal if conveyed in the right way.
Despite having so many great venues, concert tours often get skipped over. As an avid concert fan, this is extremely disappointing. It has also previously prevented people from discovering local music.
I knew I needed to change course, so this past weekend I dedicated my time completely to music created by local artists. I’m really glad I made that decision. I attended a beloved local festival, Poor Castle, on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. On Saturday, he attended the White Reaper show at the Mercury Ballroom.
Poorcastle is a nonprofit organization that benefits three local youth foundations: Louisville Leopard Percussionists, AMPED, and Out Loud Louisville. This is especially important as it feeds the pipeline of fresh new artists. The festival also gives some music artists the opportunity to be on stage and practice in front of new audiences.
On Friday, we saw KJ Olsen, King Kong, Frankie Tunes, and Mojo Thunder.
KJ Olsen’s set was truly magical. As the sun set, her angelic voice gave off a melancholic vibe in the best sense of the word.
KING KONG, a band that has been rocking for decades and has been featured The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon In 2021, He showed up and showed up. I loved seeing a group so experienced in bringing music to the people of Louisville.
Frankie Tunez had music that combined the genres of EDM and rap. He was also joined by guest collaborators to bring variety to the track.
The final act of the night was Mojo Thunder. They were my favorite of the entire festival and they really surprised me. They say on their website that their music is “a combination of pop sensibilities, thoughtful lyrics, and shamelessly loud rock’n’roll.”
I took my best friend to the festival that day, and she’s been listening to “Mojo Thunder” on repeat ever since. These guys can absolutely shred. They are also planning to tour parts of Europe later this year. I’m sure we’ll be seeing more of their shows in the future. If you like rock, this should be on your list.
I saw Fuzz Stration and Shane Spader at Poor Castle on Saturday.
When it comes to the perfect shredder, Fuzzstration has delivered just that. According to their website, they pursue musical innovation. Their sound gave off a psychedelic rock vibe and was unique with incredible riffs. They will be in Zanzabal on Friday, May 23rd.
On Sunday, I watched RELAAY, Lavacado, Mike Bandanna, and Yapa! And Scary Black.
RELAAY had beautiful harmonious vocals and soulful lyrics. According to their website, the two have been friends for years and aim to make the music they needed when they were in high school. Their performance conveys raw emotion.
Lavacado gave us a taste of Louisville punk rock. You could tell they had great energy and loved playing music. It’s so much fun to see the joy increase tenfold during the performance.
Mike Bandana provided a genre-bending cool vibe, combining 70s-style rock and rap. The lyrics were meaningful and the instruments helped amplify the message.
Yay! We introduced the prominent Latin American culture in the city of Louisville. Their performance had everyone dancing and moving to the beat. It made me happy and gave off an ecstatic energy.
Scary Black delivered a goth-rock performance that seemed straight out of an 80s dark wave club. They came out dressed in all black and wearing masks, looking like some kind of Grim Reaper. It was a mysterious performance that used a lot of synths. I love synths myself, so I really enjoyed this.
Many of these artists can be found performing at various venues throughout the city. It’s fun to experience your favorite musicians from other cities, but it’s even more fun to know that the artists you enjoy are based where you live.
Poorcastle was truly a snapshot of local Louisville music in the modern era. A community that supports each other and discovers art through support.
White Reaper at the Mercury Ballroom on Saturday was also a great experience. They are one of the most prominent musical artists to come out of Louisville. Their fame had grown compared to many acts at Poor Castle, but Louisville’s heart and spirit still shined through.
The White Reaper cheered on his newly engaged cousin, other family members and friends, demonstrating the family and communal atmosphere that the city of Louisville offers.
This city will find a way to bring you back home. I often find that Louisville natives who move away often end up coming back to live in the city again or spend some meaningful time here. That’s the kind of magic Louisville has. That small-metropolitan feel typical of some American cities. It’s one of the things I love most about Louisville.
From music artists just starting out to world-famous artists, this weekend deepened our love for the Louisville community and the art and creativity we have to offer.
I recommend checking out live music, especially if you’re local. Immerse yourself in music even if you don’t know the artist or song. Notice how the music makes you feel. The best part? You’re supporting artists, so it inspires your creativity and helps you express your creativity.
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