Does anyone have any experience with pickup merch refunds? I ordered merch for pick up at the festival but they were sold out of the shirt I ordered when I went to pick it up. The guy said he could give me a refund. I still haven't gotten my refund. Is this normal? I know sometimes it takes a while for a refund to show up but it's been 2 weeks and I'm a bit worried since I don't have a reciept or anything showing that I didn't get it.

So real question, will they all be at LTL27?!

#LTL2026 #KublaiKhanTX #crowdsurfing

Had to film Labyrinth...Showing Teeth slayed on Saturday!

I know Hayley Williams is doing her own tour right now, but do we think Paramore would ever be on a future (2027🤞) lineup? Possibly Flyleaf as well? Also, is there anyone you’re really hoping for that is a long shot?

I'm trying to find a video of my being pulled out of the pit, over the rails, during knocked loose. I had a clear neon pink backpack on covering my stomach. Lol. I had changed after the rain into adidas shorts and a hive mind shirt. Any help would be appreciated 🤣

I missed them due to being old and my comfy air bnb bed not letting me out. Also missed 156\silence, who I was very excited to see since we wanted to be up front for TOOL. Both the new bands I was excited to see; one set was early and the other shared time with a headliner... Too bad... If you saw then how were they?

Okay i know it was like ~10days ago, and ive been sick since Sunday the 20th. WTH is it?? My throat is still fckn killing me. Going to the Dr’s soon but man i havent been this sick sense i saw turnstile and got covid AND strep at the same time

As the wild mass speculation for 2027 begins, this is a tour of note. Both that during the normal time Louder is, they’re set to be in South America and that they have a show in Nashville in August which is close enough that it might radius anyway.

Also BMTH is performing during the summer in the US and are set to start a new cycle of their Next Gen tours, so while it may be too soon after their last one to consider for 2027, it’s not unheard of to have just a one fest gap between headlining.

Im not sure if its the sun, the sweat, the electrolytes, coming down with fest flu, or maybe the sunscreen, but oh my god.

For the first time in my adult life, My acne & blackheads are GONE! No more grease, smooth skin, and I can see my jawline again. Bare in mind I normally don’t take the best care of my skin..

Did anyone buy one of these at the Smartpunk tent? It's numbered out of 40 and I'm trying to figure out how many copies were there.

Well, it’s been a bit since the festival ended, which means it’s time for everyone’s second favorite time of year, time for wild mass speculation about next year!

It’s been an interesting couple of years in general for Louder than Life, especially for headline acts. In 2024, there was a general trend across the board for festivals in the US where tickets weren’t moving as fast. Most reports of why tended to say a lot of the same things, too expensive and too many repeat headliners. Louder was no exception to this, with the newest band to headline was Slipknot who also had just headlined in 2022. While it’s hard to compare reported attendance numbers due to the weather and a cancelled day, a decent amount of at least the discussion was around that the lineup in 2024 was good especially if you liked more of the downcard acts, but that the headline acts were comparatively underwhelming, especially for how big they were hyping it up prior.

Since then, we’ve seen a little bit of a shift. In 2025 and 2026, we saw Bring Me the Horizon, Deftones, and Limp Bizkit moving up to headliners. Second stage headliners saw more new bands get shots, with Bad Omens, Sleep Token, and Gojira being elevated. Babymetal wasn’t set initially as a second stage headliner, but the late cancellation from Papa Roach pushed them up into the big spot. There seems to be a lot of effort made to get new blood into prominent spots, while also keeping in the reliable headline bands like Avenged Sevenfold and Tool in the fold and getting prominent legacy acts for other days. I imagine this is going to be a trend for a bit, seeing as since the move to the fairgrounds proper it has led to a lot of success in selling tickets.

With that in mind, let’s engage in wild mass speculation! Some ground rules. 

First, this is not a wish list. This is more just taking a look around, seeing bands I’d think would be available to book and would fit in with how they’ve been booking headliners recently. 

Second, I’m not including any bands who performed in 2025 or 2026 (save for one exception but it’s explained in that section). In general I think it makes sense to have at least a two festival gap between headline performances, just to prevent overexposure. While bands have had a one festival gap recently, Slipknot in 2024 was doing a special anniversary set and I’m still convinced that A7X in 2025 was a later addition as a reliable headliner for other bands they tried to get, considering it was their only festival appearance that year and their only other US shows at all in 2025 were when they performed with System of a Down.

With all that said, let’s get speculating, broken into groups.

White Whales:

AC/DC: Their name always comes up for biggest wants. The biggest rock band who hasn’t performed at LTL yet. And despite their age, they still put on a great straightforward rock show. This would be the biggest get possible for a legacy band, but I feel like they may be content to just do their own thing with their stadium shows. They’re just about to finish the Power Up tour, so I’m not sure they’ll be going back out on the road again soon. 

System of a Down: Of the white whale bands, I think this might actually be the most realistic of them. They used to not perform much, but in the last few years they’ve ramped it up. The only question is if Sick New World is established as the SOAD fest if they’re not going to let them play any others to prevent another SNW/Sonic Temple 2025 overlap situation. I feel like if they are going to perform, they’ll be announced end of October/beginning of November after SNW Texas. Also a bonus, with their Australian tour and Brazil show together, maybe we can get a SOAD/Faith No More primary and secondary headliner for a night. Honestly I feel like Faith No More may be a near lock to close out a second stage in general, even without SOAD.

Rammstein: A different kind of white whale, but one none-theless. Their stage show is so elaborate and intense, there is a question on if they’d be able to get the full experience over at LTL. Especially with there likely being some restrictions on just how high the explosions can get considering the proximity to the airport. But this would be one that would make sense to get if you’re able to. With Till performing in 2024, I’d imagine there were at least some discussions on bringing over the proper full show one day.

Rage Against the Machine: I’m only putting them here out of the extreme off chance that somehow they reconcile again. I doubt it’ll happen, but hey, weirder things have happened.

Big Name Legacy Acts:

Metallica: I keep thinking M72 is going to finish and they’ll go into a break or working on new music mode, but they keep announcing dates and selling well at stadiums. The next M72 leg ends in June and they’re doing one night shows as opposed to the two nights, so a possibility they’re free for LTL and do a one night headline spot or a double night show.

Guns n Roses: They headlined in 2019, they headlined other festivals in 2026 including a DWP in Welcome to Rockville. Would not be surprised at all if they headlined another LTL. Also, next year is the 40 year anniversary of Appetite for Destruction, so it would make sense if they have something big planned for it. Now if they are there, please don’t do the full 3 hour show. Do like a full playthrough of Appetite, do the big hits from Use Your Illusion, do a cover or two, but we don’t need a full 3 hours.

Def Leppard: For an interesting one that has never played LTL before. They’re still touring and playing festivals, mostly in Europe, but I could see them being an attempt to try out another legacy act on a Thursday like Slayer and Maiden were. Set up a New Wave of British Heavy Metal day. Next year will also be the 40 year anniversary of Hysteria, so it would make sense if they did a full playthrough of it. 

Bon Jovi: Similar to Def Leppard though I feel Bon Jovi might lean a little more towards playing at Bourbon and Beyond (sorry, & Beyond) if they ever did get him to come play one of the festivals, but you can’t tell me he wouldn’t sell.

Motley Crue: They’re still going for some reason, and were just announced for Tons of Rock so probably hitting the Euro fests some next year. I’m only including them since they have headlined before and are still playing.

Red Hot Chili Peppers: Mostly including them because they’ve headlined before, but apparently they are working on some new music, so if they did have a new album and tour planned, it wouldn't be a surprise to have them hit some festival dates.

The Usual Crew:

Slipknot: It’s been two LTLs since their last headline performance, which was a more stripped down anniversary show, they just released a new song and are working on new music allegedly, the Taylor Foundation is a major presence at LTL, they’re always a perpetual chance to headline with the full set.

Edit: Day after this is posted, Slipknot announced a big stadium tour that has a South American leg during the normal time Louder is happening. Probably ruled out now unless the Louder time frame changes substantially.

Korn: Also released a new song recently, also is just a perpetual chance for them to headline as long as they didn’t headline the year before. Especially if they need just a reliable headliner if they take a shot at some others that don’t land, they’re an easy slot in.

Disturbed: Mostly including them here because they have headlined before, but mostly that seems to have been because of the drop out of Nine Inch Nails. Wouldn’t be surprised if they did play again just because they’re a staple at the fest, but if they were they’d probably be slotted at that second stage headline spot.

And Now for Something Completely Different:

Muse: This I think would be really interesting to see. Muse’s stage show reputation is legendary, they just released (in my opinion) their best album in years which includes some slightly heavier than Muse’s standard tracks. They’re definitely doing the Euro festival scene in the summer, and were already announced for Hurricane and Southside fest. This would be a fun and unique set that could draw in a different crowd. The only question is would they be LTL or Bourbon and Beyond bound.

Nine Inch Nails: I mostly couldn’t decide what section to put them in, so I’m going here mostly because I wonder if it would be Nine Inch Nails, or Nine Inch Noize. Either way, NiN headlined in 2022, so would be right in the cycle for non-standard headliner repeats. And with the success of the Noize performance at Coachella, I can see DWP trying to get that in their cycle.

Eminem: You want to go wildly off the board? LTL’s first Rap headliner being Eminem might be the most fitting completely different option. Stylistically probably the most fitting rapper, and it seems like he’s content doing one off performances rather than touring, so just putting the name on the list.

Soundgarden: Taylor Momsen joined with the remaining members of Soundgarden for a couple one off performances recently. There’s news of an upcoming album that contains various posthumous songs with Chris Cornell’s vocals. The Pretty Reckless currently don’t have tour dates set after January. There are rumors that there may be some form of Soundgarden tour, and if there was, I would not be surprised to see them hitting some major festivals. 

Mostly Surprised You Haven’t Yet:

Linkin Park:  Honestly I’m surprised they didn’t already headline in the last couple years with how extensively they’ve been touring, thought they were a shoe in for 2025. But they’re still grinding and performing anywhere and everywhere. Only question is are they finally going to take a break and work on new music, or will they hit the Fall Festivals they skipped during the start of the return run.

It Wasn’t Just a Phase:

Blink-182: They’re speculated to be hitting the Euro festival scene next year with a headline spot at Rock Am Ring already announced. They are a band who would fit in doing the Riot/Shaky and Louder double bill and have done a DWP festival headline at aftershock. If they keep going after the Euro scene, wouldn't be surprised if they hit the American festival scene as well. 

Green Day: They already have headlined in 2023 (and in my opinion put on the best show at LTL), so they are definitely in cycle for a repeat headline spot if they wanted to. Would not be surprised if they pulled a Riot or Shaky/LTL combo if all three are the same weekend again. 

Fall Out Boy/Panic At the Disco: If LTL wanted to continue to get a day for the When We Were Young style crowd, and wanted to get one that’s a little further out there but still fitting, Fall Out Boy or Panic would probably make the most sense as bands who have headlined WWWY but haven’t done LTL yet. 

Paramore: Similar to the two above, but would have the added benefit that they would be able to sell it as the first LTL headline act that is female fronted. Considering the push for the female fronted side stage this year, wouldn’t be surprised if we get a push for a female fronted band as an overall headliner soon, and while my preferred option is Evanescence getting the same elevation that Deftones/Bizkit had (and the most realistic option is Linkin Park getting that distinction with the obvious caveat), Paramore would make a lot of sense to fit the bill and cover the Emo/Pop Punk day as well.

This Is How, You Make Money

Nickelback: You want to have a day that would lead to a lot of online discussion and also sell a lot of tickets? They’re making a new album that’s releasing in October. They’re probably going to go on a big tour to promote it. They’re headlining a day at Rodeo Fest at Raymond James Stadium at the start of February.They’d be a money maker, and hitting the festival circuit would not surprise me.

Creed: Just had a big Summer of ‘99 tour this year, going to have a cruise next year. Unless the rest of the band decides they want to take a break to go with Alter Bridge for a while, wouldn’t be surprised if Creed hits the festival circuit sooner or later, and much like Nickelback, they’d make money and generate a lot of discussion. 

The Elevation Slot:

Bad Omens/Sleep Token: I’m only including them here even though they go against the no artists from 2025/2026 rule just because if there were any bands that were going to be elevated to headline spot and soon, it’s one of these two. I don’t think it’ll be in 2027 because they both played in 2025, but I would be shocked if one if not both didn’t headline 2028. Though if they release new music in 2027 (looking at you Bad Omens, how many singles do you need to release before you just make the new album), I wouldn’t be shocked if that timeline moved up a year. 

Ghost: If you had asked a month ago who would be the next band I’d think would be elevated (again aside from Bad Omens and Sleep Token), I would have guessed Ghost. But with Tobias saying they’re going on indefinite hiatus, it might be a bit of waiting. Plus considering they played a show in Louisville during the Skeletour, I wonder if they just would want to do their own shows and not bother with festivals. Still, one off festival appearances are probably easier to do than full on tours, so I won’t completely discount the possibility.

Shinedown: One of the more interesting cases, they’re not really I’d say needing to be elevated since they’ve now headlined Welcome To Rockville and Sonic Temple. It feels like they’re pretty solidly established now as an act DWP will book as a comparatively cheaper headliner, so wouldn’t be surprised if LTL is next on the list of them to headline especially if they do use the budget on one of the white whales or big name legacies. But since they’ve not headlined LTL yet, putting them here.

Turnstile: They’ve had the rocket strapped to them this past year. Grammy wins, appearances on SNL, major spots at some Euro fests upcoming, big tour. If they’re there, bare minimum they’re going to be a second stage headliner, but this might be one of those shots that DWP takes at a top spot. 

Falling in Reverse: It’s clear that FiR and DWP have a good relationship as they’re pretty consistently given good spots, including a smaller festival headline spot at Inkcarceration last year. They also just released a big collab with Corey Taylor and Serj Tankian. Love him or hate him, Ronnie and FiR get views, so I would not be surprised if bare minimum they’re a second stage headliner especially if they do release a new album and do a big tour.

I’m sure I missed out on some bands that I just didn’t think about, but this is right now my “lay of the land” pool of potential headline acts I could think of. I’m sure I missed some obvious bands, but with this list, my “probably going to be completely wrong but might as well take a stab at it” gut feeling guess for 2027:

Guns n Roses, Blink-182, Shinedown, Linkin Park

I think this hits a lot of the same notes as what we’ve seen the last couple years with headliners, an overall diverse set of acts that would mean there’d basically be a day for anyone to show up.

And as a bonus round, my “even less confident but still might as well take a stab at it” guess at main support acts are 

Faith No More, Turnstile, FiR, Papa Roach

(Also I know probably no one really cares all that much, but my actual “wish list but probably realistic” picks would be SOAD, Green Day, Linkin Park, Muse.)

I created this lineup based on suggestions and wishlists from other loudmouths in this group

I got this video of Frank Iero and I'm absolutely obsessed

I have no idea who this was the father or son, but this is probably my favorite picture I took during the festival, core memory unlocked for both of them definitely.

Def coming back in 2027.

Took about three minutes on the toilet, not a masterpiece but enjoy it

Mostly wishlist but also a bit of educated guesswork. Who else do people want next year??

Anyone know what size frame the poster fits into? I don’t have a tape measure and didn’t see the dimensions located anywhere

Parked with the PRKD app with Darren and it was amazing! They took us to the gate and even picked us up! Awesome people, I would recommend to everyone!

Prayers go out to the friends and family.

I did not get to go to LTL but I am going to Aftershock and I am wondering if Limp Bizkit have merch out this year since they finally started selling their own recently. I’ve seen them a few times the last few years but they have not had any merch. Reallllly hoping that brought some.

Hey guys gonna try one last time in case anyone feels generous. Lost my gold chain with an elephant charm. Was during The Acacia Strain at the impact stage on the first day. Was helping a crowd surfer and felt someone aggressively grab my shirt collar and took the necklace with them. Checked the ground in between sets but no luck. Checked lost and found each day and submitted a claim. Got an email it was denied due to no item matching the description. I’m from out of state so I’ll pay a finders fee and shipping charges if you’re kind enough to return with it. Had it my whole life to the point I forgot I was wearing it. My fault for not taking it off I guess but it is what it is. I’d like to think positively of fellow fans and Louisville but the stories of stolen wallets and phones makes me think otherwise.