AUSTIN, Texas — Until last October, J.K. McKnight hadn’t been to a major festival other than his own, the annual music-art-activism blowout known as Forecastle, now in its ninth year. He visited Voodoo Fest in New Orleans, a three-day affair that featured The Flaming Lips, mainly to study and critique. Nine years as a festival planner will turn anyone into a micromanager, and McKnight’s affinity for detail was in overdrive.

That goes double for SXSW. McKnight’s first trip to Austin is a chance for him to meet managers and booking agents, who route bands in different cities for tours. Where business is done over e-mail and cell phones, this weekend he’s “putting a name with a face,” says McKnight, 29.

Partnering with the concert promotion company Nederlander, Forecastle drew about 20,000 people last year to The Belvedere, where Widespread Panic headlined for two nights. Like SXSW, which takes over downtown Austin, he says he can see how Forecastle can expand to other venues in downtown Louisville, but that the city is not yet ready for the logistical planning that entails.

Two headliners are confirmed for Forecastle, which takes place again this July at the Belvedere, but McKnight wouldn’t say which bands. A third headliner has yet to be confirmed, but he did offer one carrot: “There will be a reunion,” and its the only date in the region for this act. “This is the first year I can honestly that there will be something for everyone.” —Mat Herron