Message in a BottleRock

BottleRock Napa Valley Music Festival

06.02.2018

1) The Music

The Killers went over curfew with a glitzy golden encore, Billy Idol took his shirt off, Snoop Dogg brought dancers, and The Chainsmokers put on a rave. And that was the PG stuff! Over 80 musical acts performed on five music stages during the three days of BottleRock. Headliners Bruno Mars, The Killers, and Muse brought their unique styles and superb energy, but there was plenty more.

 

The JaM Cellars Stage rocked with performances by The Struts, Alice Merton, Billy Idol, Halsey, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Lake Street Drive, and Bleachers, among others. The Midway Stage shook with Shakey Graves, pulsated with Phantogram, couldn't get enough E-40, and chill-danced with Thievery Corporation. The Lagunitas Stage also featured  great performances, including NPR Tiny Desk alum Tank & The Bangas (who were superb).

2) The Food!

Culinary stars Giada De Lauentiis, Masaharu Morimoto, Hubert Keller, Johnny Sánchez, and Trisha Yearwood brought their foodie A-game for demonstrations and conversations at The Williams Sonoma Culinary Stage. Shaun White, Laila Ali, Barry Bonds, Halsey and a bunch of other celebrities took part in cooking demos and thoroughly entertaining mashups blending food, music, and mixology.

Napa Valley has more Michelin stars per capita than any other wine region in the world, and BottleRock serves up the tastiest from the region’s best chefs and restaurants—from vegan Thai to juicy beef sliders, and everything (literally everything) in between. Participating restaurants included Morimoto, Mustards Grill, FARM at Carneros, Goose & Gander, and Brix.

3) The Wine (the beer, and the cocktails)

Rosé all day or rocking red and deep, you’re in Napa Valley: Of course the wine is gonna be phenomenal! From Stag’s Leap and Etude to JaM Cellars, Miner Cellars and St. Supery, BottleRock poured on the wine charm. There was plenty of craft beer too, including Lagunitas, who brought the hop with their IPA and Little Sumpin' Sumpin'. Meanwhile, Milagro Tequila’s namesake pink Paloma kept things colorful, and Hendrick’s tasty Gin Sun God cocktail was most certainly responsible for bringing out the sunshine after an overcast start.

4) The People (All 120,000 of them!)

BottleRock totally sold out for Memorial Day Weekend 2018, with people coming from across the state and country to take part in the experience. With increased space for attendees, grass lawns galore, big stages, awesome video walls, and more seating (including shaded areas) BottleRock is set up so you can get from show to show within minutes, and enjoy the food, drinks, and other cool events happening on-site.

5) The Special Extras

From the little things like the VIP's Acoustic Stage featuring more intimate performances by the artists, to the silent disco featuring The White Panda and Warren G, BottleRock is a an experience where there's something for everyone. Okay, okay, there's a Spa there, too ... because while you're having a great time relaxing to the music, food, and drinks, a massage is most definitely in order!

BottleRock returns May 24–26, 2019.

Photos: Courtesy BottleRock Napa Valley

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