BottleRock Napa Valley is a full-on sensory feast that brings together top-notch performances, mouth-watering cuisine, and the best of Napa’s wine country. Held over Memorial Day weekend at the Napa Valley Expo, the 2024 edition proved why this festival is a West Coast favorite.
The festival’s headliners did not disappoint: Stevie Nicks delivered a magical set of her classic hits, proving she still has it well into her 70s. In a surprise moment, actor Bradley Cooper channeled his character from A Star is Born, performing a duet with Pearl Jam. Ed Sheeran gave a wildly entertaining one-man show, showcasing his range and captivating the crowd with every strum and lyric.
And that was just the beginning. The lineup boasted acts like Megan Thee Stallion, Nelly, Bebe Rexha, Maná, Norah Jones, and The Offspring, making sure every musical taste was satisfied over the three-day bacchanal extravaganza.
The crowd sets BottleRock apart: You won’t find just teens in Daisy Dukes here, but also an older and more sophisticated audience. Think families with kids and dogs, spreading out blankets and enjoying the scene. This vibe might be due to the lineup or the festival’s downtown Napa location.
To truly experience BottleRock, staying nearby is a must. My friend and I booked a room at the El Dorado Hotel in Sonoma Square, which offered newly remodeled rooms, a pool, and a fantastic restaurant — perfect for unwinding after a day at the festival.
The affluent and mature mix of attendees created a more polite and civilized experience. Lines easily formed, but the mood was joyful, and it was easy to make new friends, whether you were waiting for the bathroom or a margarita pizza.
And oh, the food.
The Williams Sonoma Culinary Stage featured demos from culinary stars like Andrew Zimmern, Tyler Florence, and Alton Brown, who teamed up with musicians and celebrities with ties to the food and beverage industry.
On Friday, Cameron Diaz drew huge crowds alongside Nelly, Tinx, and Katherine Power, co-founder of her wine brand, Avaline. Saturday saw even larger crowds when Bradley Cooper and Steph Curry joined chef José Andrés to chat about basketball, bourbon, and Philly cheesesteaks. Unfortunately, the stage lacked a strong sound system, and from where I was, toward the back of the packed standing-room-only field, I couldn’t hear anything they were saying.
The overall size of the festival is quaint compared to Outside Lands. Everything feels packed into smaller square footage. This makes it easier to meet up with friends and spot the celebrities making BottleRock their playground. There was Cooper and model girlfriend Gigi Hadid. There were newlyweds Dominque Crenn and Maria Bello. My girlfriends and I realized we were behind Teri Hatcher in line for tequila. Too late to talk to her or get a photo — damn!
But the downfall of a more compact festival is that it sometimes felt unsafe and overly crowded. For several moments, I was stuck in the middle of people, shoulder to shoulder, with no place to move. It wasn’t for the faint of heart or those with claustrophobic tendencies — thank goodness there were no emergencies, for there easily could have been a crush or stampede.
Aside from a few scary seconds, BottleRock was a triumph. Stevie Nicks was like a grand fairy godmother, her voice rich with its signature huskiness as she performed hits like Dreams, Gypsy, Rhiannon, and Landslide. Ed Sheeran lived a childhood dream when The Offspring invited him on stage to sing Million Miles Away, the first album he ever bought at nine years old. Even with technical difficulties with his loop station and keyboard, Sheeran’s performances of Perfect, Bad Habits, and more showcased his talent.
Yes, prices were steep — a hot dog and onion dip from new St. Helena hotspot Charlie’s set me back $50 — but the food was worth it. Standout dishes included Chispa’s chips and queso, Oakville Grocery’s fried chicken tenders, and Williams-Sonoma’s lobster corn dog with caviar. 21 Seeds tequila, founded by a trio of female friends from San Francisco, offered superb fruit-infused flavors, perfect for sipping tequila sodas all festival long.
The best part about BottleRock? The day after is Memorial Day, giving you a chance to recover by the pool and reminisce about the unforgettable weekend. In the end, BottleRock isn’t just a festival; it’s a celebration of the good life, Napa style.
Katie Sweeney is a San Francisco-based writer.
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More photos from BottleRock Napa 2024
