LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Thunder Over Louisville is back in a big way this weekend. Beautiful weather, full air show and and as always a jam-packed fireworks experience courtesy of the Zambelli family.
The first soundcheck of this year’s fireworks soundtrack took place at the Galt House on Thursday. The Galt House is once again home to the command center. This year’s theme for the show is “The Legend Returns” and the soundtrack features a playlist that has something for everyone.
In a statement, President and CEO of the Derby Festival. Matt Gibson said, “We’ve got a special soundtrack this year to turn up the volume as we celebrate one of our favorite Festival traditions with the community.”
Longtime Thunder producer Wayne Hettinger said, “It is nothing like we have ever done before. The excitement level is through the roof, and I am expecting the community will feel the same. It’s going to be the greatest show yet.”
The playlist features Ray Charles, Dua Lipa, Bruce Springsteen Outkast and Louisville’s own Jack Harlow.
Fans going to the Waterfront on Saturday won’t need to worry about hearing the soundtrack because sound towers are at the Belvedere, chow wagons, North and South Great Lawn, Big Four Bridge Lawn and on the Southern Indiana side of the river as well. Shepherd Insurance is the official sound sponsor of the show and their donation is offsetting the cost of of the towers.
According to the Kentucky Derby Festival, they choreograph each Thunder show to an original soundtrack. Over the years, the soundtracks have featured pop, country, urban, contemporary and even Broadway show tunes. KDF says anywhere from 25 to 60 different tracks or sound effects are used to build the score each year.
This year’s show is being broadcast locally by WLKY and SummitMedia’s MIX 106.9 radio.