BottleRock Napa Valley Day One - Logic, Imagine Dragons, Sylvan Esso Create One Big Dance Party
Day one of the sold out BottleRock music festival has come to an end. 70 degrees and clear skies, the music festival brought some heavy-hitters to the famed countryside of Napa Valley.
Lead singer for Imagine Dragons, Dan Reynolds, performs on the JaM Cellars Stage during the first day of the BottleRock Napa Valley Music festival on Friday. Photo Courtesy of BottleRock
Underrated Alec Benjamin had an intimate set on the Bai Stage at 3:30. "I'm still so very nervous," Alec Benjamin states. "I'm actually really excited to be here. I woke up a couple of days ago my vocal chords weren't working. Then I woke up this morning and they were working. It's a miracle. It must be meant to be." Fans lined the stage with 20-year-old somethings hanging onto every word. Alec Benjamin is as honest you'll get with an artist, and there is something to love about that. His honesty spews through his music and his heart felt performance just put him a little more at the top of "artists to watch."
"I haven't ever played outside before. I played in my back yard bit that doesn't really count," Benjamin confesses prior to ending his set with his hit single, Let Me Down Slowly. "This is a lot of firsts for me, so that's really cool!”
Photo Courtesy of BottleRock Napa Valley
Shortly after Jenny Lewis took over the Jam Cellars stage. The recent release of her highly anticipated fourth solo album - On The Line - packed the area with fans yearning to see her new songs. Since NPR described Lewis as "California sunshine glinting off the Pacific Ocean, steeped in the West Cost pop sounds of the 1970s," Jenny Lewis has definitely lived up to the hype. She hit the stage pure 70s! A sparkling sequin dress, big hair, and donning HUGE glitz glasses that even Elton John would be proud.
"My body my choice yall! My body my choice," Lewis chanted before diving into her next single. With slight political statements Lewis' set further proved that she can connect and relate to the audience by her affirmations.
"It's like one of those dreams where you're in front of the class and naked..but you're in front of an audience wearing sparkles," Lewis quips before closing her hour long set.
It was as if BottleRockers finally woke up rejuvenated from a musical trance once the electrifying duo, Sylvan Esso, hit the stage. Donning silver chap-like pants circa TLC's Fan Mail album and a black crop top, singer Amelia Meath pranced across the stage and gave fans a great performance.
Photo Courtesy of BottleRock Napa Valley
The highlight of the evening no doubt was Logic spitting PURE FIRE and the closing of the night, Imagine Dragons.
Imagine Dragons has always found a way to connect with the crowd and has ALWAYS been open about advocating for the LGBTQ community and the importance of inclusivity. Vocalist Dan Reynolds filled the breaks between songs with encouraging messages for the fans. “This is a free safe zone to be yourself — whatever that may be,” he said.
Known as the first taste of Summer, BottleRock also features the best wine, food, craft brews, and cocktails, featuring chefs/restaurateurs, vintners, brewers and distillers from the Napa Valley, Bay Area and beyond.
Over 40,000 people attended day one of the festival. Day two will bring even more to the forefront. Stay tuned for updates and remember to check out our instagram stories @Identify_LA.
