And here we are with another festival. This time, we’re kicking off Memorial Day weekend with BottleRock Napa Valley Music Festival right in (you guessed it) Napa, California. The three-day festival is what everyone in the Bay Area looks to as THE kick-off to summer until we close out summer with Outside Lands back in San Francisco. TYF writers Camille Espiritu and Ashley Bulayo will be reporting on-ground with deatils on what they saw, ate, and heard so you don’t feel any FOMO. But for now, they broke down what each of them are looking forward to this year.
CAMILLE ESPIRITU
To say that BottleRock is one of my favorite music festivals is probably an understatement. In the heart of the Napa Valley in California, the festival has a very picturesque backdrop as it nests in a sea of trees and vineyards. It’s truly a sight to see. But don’t let the vineyards fool you.
Though I do love the backdrop, I also look forward to the fact that BottleRock welcomes family, friends, and children. It’s great to see a very diverse crowd that is there to enjoy the sun, awesome food and wine, and rockin’ music.
So let’s talk about the food and wine. First and foremost, the festival is so organized to the point that you can find the culinary garden, which is where the food and wine will be, with your eyes closed (but maybe don’t do that even when you drank a bit too much wine). Talented chefs grace the foodie stage to show demos while the top culinary talents feed the masses of people with a variety of food and treats.
And of course, we can’t forget about the music. BottleRock does a great job bringing big headliners while also shining a light to new up-and-coming artists who are breaking into the industry. I went to BottleRock for the first time last year and I listened to a number of bands and singers and there wasn’t even one singer and band I didn’t enjoy. A couple of the singers and bands that I’m looking forward to are: The Killers (obviously), Head and the Heart, Oh Wonder, Jacob Banks, and that’s only from the Saturday lineup!
BottleRock is just a fun festival for everyone and as you can see (or I guess read, in this case), there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re a wine lover or a concert junkie, there’s a little something for everyone at BottleRock.
ASHLEY BULAYO
BottleRock is somehow known as the kickoff concert to summer. Probably because it’s part of Memorial Day weekend but anyways, it’s a huge deal in the Bay Area. Most especially because of this year’s lineup including Bruno Mars, Muse, and many more. There are, as we all know, music festivals popping up almost everywhere around the world but nothing is quite like this one held in the wine county.
With people traveling from all over the Bay and even beyond, BottleRock is celebrating its sixth year anniversary by closing it out with a bang with none other than Bruno Mars. His name alone sells out arenas worldwide so you can only imagine how fast THOSE tickets sold out. (Yes, it’s all sold out but you can try your luck at purchasing tickets on their official ticket exchange)
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We come for the music and wine and yes, we stay still for the music and wine. Oh, and the food! How could anyone forget the food? Whether it be the culinary stage watching our favorite celebrity cook our favorite meals or actually purchasing meals around the venue, no one should be leaving on an empty stomach. I will note though, do set up your Apple Pay (if you have it). There will be dedicated “Super Fast Lanes” located at select festival bars and throughout the venues. Feel free to skip the lines and pay for drinks using just the app! However, we’re wondering how well this will actually go… We’ll report back later.
And, new this year, if you happen to NOT be attending BottleRock, it’s OK! There will be a live stream via Twitter featuring the following artists: The Killers, Muse, The Head and the Heart, Thievery Corporation, Phantogram, The Revivalists, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Mike D – DJ set, SOJA, Shakey Graves, Lake Street Dive, Mondo Cozmo, MISSIO, LANY, Manchester Orchestra, The Record Company, Alice Merton and RIVVRS.
Think of it like Couchella… but more so, BottleCouch? Name is still TBD but we’ll use that for now.
We’re excited for this year’s festival! Are you attending or have you been to one in the past? Have any advice? Let us know down below!
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