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- What artists celebrated in 2025 — standout achievements and milestones
- Short rituals that center artists minutes before they step onstage
- How musicians protect their mental health during hard times
- Onstage energy and the mixtape that gets bands fired up
- Voices on staying creative and grounded amid change
- Festival highlights and photo subjects from Bourbon & Beyond
The seventh Bourbon & Beyond in Louisville stretched its stages and its ambitions, bringing together veteran acts and rising names for a weekend many called a highlight of 2025. We caught up with performers from Gin Blossoms to Lake Street Dive, Old 97’s to Dani Rose, and asked what they’re proud of this year, what brief rituals steady them before a show, and how they stay mentally well amid life’s pressure.
What artists celebrated in 2025 — standout achievements and milestones
- Robin Wilson (Gin Blossoms) said turning sixty and still fronting a working rock band felt like a milestone.
- Brit Taylor celebrated performing at Bourbon & Beyond while nearly eight months pregnant, noting her baby has already toured with her.
- Jimbo Mathus (Squirrel Nut Zippers) reflected on a long career, new projects, and keeping the band’s sound and spirit alive in fresh ways.
- Dani Rose marked a career high with a duet alongside Brent Cobb and becoming the only independent woman to have five songs placed on Yellowstone.
- Scott McCaughey touted a new Minus Five album that brought joy and strong collaborations with longtime friends and guest musicians.
- MABILENE described releasing Storm Born independently and debuting it in an intimate sound bath session, embracing a slower, less conventional path.
- Mike Calabrese (Lake Street Dive) was proud of expanding the band’s songwriting circle and renewed creative energy with longtime collaborators.
- Steve Gustafson (10,000 Maniacs) celebrated family life — including a grandchild — and the band’s continued friendship and new music.
- Mike Scott (The Waterboys) joked he sings better now than he did as a teen and remains thrilled by his voice.
- Dennis Drew (10,000 Maniacs) praised the band’s renewed focus, smarter touring, and the strength of their latest writing efforts.
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Short rituals that center artists minutes before they step onstage
Many performers rely on compact routines to switch from travel mode to performance mode. These are quick, repeatable actions that root them before the lights go up.
- Breath and perspective: Emily Scott Robinson takes a single deep breath to reconnect with why she performs.
- Vocal maintenance: After surgery, Rhett Miller now warms up with trills and scales and crafts a tailored setlist each night.
- Band cues: Some acts trade a quick look or line, then launch with a collective shout or simple words of encouragement.
- Simple comforts: Robin Wilson joked about one last restroom break, a drink, and in-ear monitors before walking out.
- Music and walk-ons: Bands bring personal playlists. Wilson keeps Replacements and local acts on rotation, and the walk-on song has become a ritual.
- Quiet rituals: Madison Ryann Ward listens to Norah Jones, prays with her crew, and seeks calm before showtime.
- Physical prep: Ashe favors lip trills and once did headstands to move blood the other way; Griffin Goldsmith follows a drumming warm-up borrowed from Alan Dawson.
- Huddles and good luck: Many groups share a prayer, a knuckle bump, or a brief joke to settle nerves together.
Examples of quick pre-show steps
- Breathe deeply and center for 30 seconds.
- Do a short vocal warm-up or lip trill.
- Share a group signal — a word, a prayer, a knuckle bump.
- Put in monitors, take a sip, and walk on with purpose.
How musicians protect their mental health during hard times
Tour life and public demands can be intense. The artists we spoke with shared practical, personal ways they cope.
- Gratitude practices: Jesse Valenzuela writes ten specific things he’s grateful for daily and sends positive thoughts to three people.
- Perspective from the cosmos: Rachel Price finds comfort in the universe’s scale, which frees her from perfection pressure.
- Community and presence: Morgan Wade highlighted the importance of simply sharing space with someone, even without words.
- Focus management: Taylor Goldsmith uses a “draw a smaller circle” approach to limit what he lets in and to protect time for family and creativity.
- Letting go creatively: MABILENE described releasing control around promotion and embracing smaller, meaningful listening experiences.
- Reach out, don’t isolate: Chan Kinchla warned about isolation and substance escapes, urging musicians to lean on community when grief or depression hits.
- Faith and ritual: Some artists depend on prayer or spiritual practices to steady them before a show and during low times.
Onstage energy and the mixtape that gets bands fired up
A walk-on playlist can set mood and tempo. Bands mix old favorites and local sounds to cue the moment.
- Local rock, indie staples, and classic arena tunes often appear on pre-show mixes.
- One band chose “Fox on the Run” as a signature walk-on.
- Others favor mood music like Norah Jones for calm or high-energy acts to boost adrenaline.
Voices on staying creative and grounded amid change
Several artists framed creative survival as a balance. They nurture relationships, accept slowing down, and protect what they can control.
- Collaboration renewed: Bringing new writers into a band can refresh a decades-long partnership.
- Independent release strategies: Making albums slowly and on small budgets can lead to unexpected creative moments.
- Smaller shows and better teams: Touring less and hiring trusted staff can extend careers and preserve enjoyment.
Festival highlights and photo subjects from Bourbon & Beyond
Photographers captured headliners and crowd favorites across the expanded grounds. Here are some of the top names that drew attention:
- Cage the Elephant
- Colbie Caillat
- Collective Soul
- Dashboard Confessional
- Foreigner
- John Waite
- Noah Kahan
- Phish
- Pixies
- Ringo Starr
- Trombone Shorty
- TV On The Radio
