I know what you're doing right now. You’re trying to map out the perfect personal schedule to catch every band you want to see at Forecastle. While Forecastle does a great job to lay out the grounds making it easier to walk from one stage to another, because the lineup is so stacked, you're bound have an issue in seeing all your favorite bands.
So let’s weed through this lineup. We’ve lined up three bands each day that you absolutely have to catch. Fill in your schedule around them.
Friday
St. Paul & The Broken Bones: (5:30-6:30 Mast Stage) Louisville already knows how great this band is. They even played a Forecastle late night show last year. This seven-piece soul band from Birmingham sounds like something straight out of the ‘60s. They have set fire to the festival scene with a fabulous horn section and passionate vocals. If you like Alabama Shakes and Stax Records (Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Booker T & the M.G.’s), you’ll like St. Paul & the Broken Bones.
Cage the Elephant: (7:30-8:45 Mast Stage) These Bowling Green boys opened for The Black Keys at the KFC Yum! Center last fall but haven’t played a headlining show or show for the masses in Louisville in a few years. That pent up Louisville love is bound to explode during their set at Forecastle. Expect a stage dive or seven from lead singer Matt Schultz.
Houndmouth: (8:30-9:45 Boom Stage) This will be the biggest homecoming at Forecastle since, well, My Morning Jacket three years ago. Sure, they played The Brown Theater just a few months ago, but since then “Sedona” went to the top of the AAA (Adult Album Alternative) charts. They will close the Boom Stage, but at this rate, who knows? Maybe they will close the Mast Stage one day.
Saturday
Dr. Dundiff & Friends: (4:00-5:00 Ocean Stage) This showcase of local talent is a showcase of Louisville hip hop. The set’s namesake, began these on stage collaborations with the rest of the Louisville hip hop community at a local festival then at Headliners and Mercury Ballroom. Smoke Shop Kids, Touch AC, 1200, JaLin Roze, Skyscraper Stereo, live art, and more will join Dundiff. They will all be talking about this one for weeks folks.
Chris Stapleton/Sturgill Simpson: (4:45-5:45 and 8:00-9:15 Boom Stage) Okay so I lied. Technically I’ve named four artists for Saturday, but I wanted to put these two eastern Kentucky boys together. Some critics will says these two of playing the most authentic country music out there right now. In this case the critics are right. Get a good spot in front of the Boom Stage and watch these guys go to work.
My Morning Jacket (9:15-11:45 Mast Stage): Should speak for itself, right? Louisville’s (basically) official band. Their second Saturday headlining slot. 2.5 hour set. A critically acclaimed new album. Nothing can go wrong.
Sunday
White Reaper (2:45-3:30 WFPK Port Stage): White Reaper is up on all the blogs these days and they are bound to have a big weekend capped off by this early set on Sunday. Their debut album White Reaper Does It Again will be released Friday and they are playing a late show Saturday night at Headliners. It shouldn’t be too long until a lot more people know about these young rockers.
Tweedy (4:45-5:45 Mast Stage): Jeff Tweedy (of Wilco) enlists his son Spencer to play drums in this group. Spencer is 18. Yeah, only 18. If anything, you’ll have to be there for this set to check out one of Forecastle’s youngest performers.
Modest Mouse (6:45-8:15 Mast Stage) Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Modest Mouse took right eight years between 2015’s Strangers To Ourselves and its 2008’s We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank. Many fans’ longing to see one of this millennium’s best rock bands will make for a packed waterfront. You are going to be one of those people.
Photo courtesy of Cage The Elephant Facebook page.
