A music, wine, food and brew festival in Napa Valley certainly has a nice ring to it … almost too nice, some would argue. From afar, BottleRock does indeed seem exclusive to a particular lot; zoomed in, however, it has become one of the most precious open secrets in the entertainment space that keeps getting better each year as more and more people participate.
Laid out like a high-end country fair, the annual gathering has adhered to the “something for everyone” mantra most three-day events of its caliber have adopted, but with even more diversity. Whereas the average music festival today is constructed around the most popular contemporary stars, BottleRock has always made it a point to consider every generation and not just tokenize legacy acts. After all, a large fraction of their attendees have an attachment to the many phases that came before what the kids gravitate toward.
Verizon Stage [Sunday, May 26] | Photo Credit: Karan Singh
With so many different age groups and tastes being catered to, BottleRock makes for some of the most compelling optics in the live music space. A lot of the older folk who made it out to the Napa Valley Exposition this year to watch Stevie Nicks were also spotted at Nelly’s set just a few hours prior. Likewise, teenagers of the modern internet era were already charged up deep in the crowd to watch T-Pain (who quite decidedly said “suck my dick” to the concept of the festival being family friendly) before Oliver Tree took over and insisted everyone visit Kazakhstan to try horse meat.
At no point did any of the evening acts feel imposing, because there were always alternatives. If Pearl Jam simply didn’t cut it for some, Kali Uchis was just a five minute walk away. Likewise, the Kid LAROI and the Record Company created enough space for people to drift around and settle where the soundwaves felt most comfortable.
Kali Uchis [Saturday, May 25] | Photo Credit: Karan Singh
The weekend was ripe with top-tier artistry. Whereas Stephen Marley closed out BottleRock 2024 with what was arguably the most buttery and heartfelt performance of the entire festival (it is important to note that his flautist Kateri Farrell stole the show), a strong case can also be made for St. Vincent’s vigor and eccentricity being a highlight that deserves just as much praise.
In addition to playing the most explosive show of the event, the Offspring even brought out Ed Sheeran to play “Million Miles Away” — a random yet fitting cameo — before his headlining set later that evening.
Stephen Marley [Sunday, May 26] | Photo Credit: Karan Singh
Aside from the music, the Williams Sonoma Culinary Stage exceeded expectations yet again with surprise appearances from Tommy Lee (who even played on their signature pots-and-pans drum kit), Stephen Curry and Bradley Cooper, among others.
To that point, Action Bronson and veteran chef Andrew Zimmern teaming up to piece together what appeared to be a ridiculously busty shawarma was another one of countless catchy moments that distinguished BottleRock as a nonpareil brand yet again.
From the hushed-yet-enchanting Prudential Stage to the silent discos at the Truly Stage each night, BottleRock came through once more to prove that everything can indeed exist in one place, and that too in perfect harmony.
BottleRock 2024 in Photos
St. Vincent [Friday, May 24] | Photo Credit: Karan Singh
T-Pain [Saturday, May 25] | Photo Credit: Karan Singh
Oliver Tree [Saturday, May 25] | Photo Credit: Karan Singh
Action Bronson [Sunday, May 26] | Photo Credit: Karan Singh
Dexter Holland w/ The Offspring [Sunday, May 26] | Photo Credit: Karan Singh
Ed Sheeran w/ The Offspring [Sunday, May 26] | Photo Credit: Karan Singh
Stephen Marley [Sunday, May 26] | Photo Credit: Karan Singh
