BottleRock Napa Valley - Raises The Bar on its Fourth Year
Known as 'The First Taste of Summer', BottleRock Napa Valley has officially come to a close. The sold-out fourth installment attracted more than 120,000 attendees over the course of three days and brought world-renowned musicians, Michelin-starred chefs, vintners and brewers to the wine mecca of the country.
“BottleRock Napa Valley fans have proven that this festival is a must-attend event,” said Dave Graham, CEO and co-founder of Latitude 38 Entertainment. “We felt it was appropriate and deserving that the fans were the first to find out about the return of the festival. They are the reason whyBottleRock has become what it is today.”
When you think about it's major 'competitors' on the West Coast alone such as: Coachella and OutsideLands, BottleRock doesn't even compare as it is in a league of its own. The festival has creatively mastered its craft by continuing to raise the bar and giving attendees an 'experience'.
Guests of BottleRock not only were in awe of the hard-hitting lineup, but were also able to view the culinary segment of the festival and see their favorite performers paired with Michelin-starred chefs.
Photo Credit: BottleRock Napa Valley/Latitude 38 Entertainment
The festival kicked off on Friday with a sleuth of high-energy talent. Andy Grammar, Lenny Kravitz, Group Love, Cold War Kids, Nothing But Thieves, Kaleo, The White Panda, Stevie Wonder, and more were there to set the tone for the remainder of the weekend.
Born to perform,Lenny Kravitz played his chart-topping hits such as: “Are You Gonna Go My Way,” “Fly Away” and his cover of “American Woman.” Which equally all got the crowd dancing.
Closing out the evening was Stevie Wonder, which brought a crowd of an estimated 40,000. Throughout his heart felt performance which included tributes to iconic musicians and inspirational talks of the importance of love and unity.
Wonder also stressed the importance of voting to ensure a promising future for our nation. He closed out his set with spectacular covers of Prince’s “When Doves Cry” and “Kiss,” The Beatles’ “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” David Bowie’s “Fame,” and Eagles’ “Hotel California.” Throughout the performance, the legendary performer would stop to ask the crowd, “What’s my name?” – to which they chanted “DJ Chick Chick Boom.” Wonder switched gears and jammed through a long driven rift of his mega-hit, "Superstition".
Day two of the festival included: Walk The Moon, Death Cab for Cutie, Ziggy Marley, Atlas Genius, Florence + The Machine, MoonAlice, K. Flay and more.
Guest Gladly Obliged to Their Request to 'Rock The Fu*k Out'! Photo Credit: BottleRock Napa Valley/Latitude 38 Entertainment
Walk The Moon took over The Jam Cellars Stage by getting the crowd involved with their every move. "Living in an important time right now. It is our superpower (and) right responsibility as Americans to participate in the future. Get off your ass and figure out what you believe in - and go vote." frontman Nicholas Petricca, stated in the mist of their performance. "Whatever is bothering you...news work or own damn head. Those things wash away in this moment."
Known for truly connecting with its audience and creating a positive environment from within - even if its short lived, the overall performance of from Walk the Moon seemed to be more immersed and sublime with the crowd.
Before closing out the set Petricca had one last message for the crowd and that was to, "kindly rock the fu*k out", before closing the set with their hit, "Shut Up and Dance".
Atlas Genius Performed Singles From Their Latest, "Inanimate Objects".
Atlas Genius is composed of two brothers, Keith and Michael Jeffrey, who took over the Miner Family Stage during BottleRock. Playing major hits from their latest album, Inanimate Objects as well as their previous "When it Was Now" such as: "Molecules" and "Stockholm" and "Trojans" and "If So" respectively. The Australian duo kept the crowd hyped even through their slowed down rendition of "The Hills" by The Weeknd.
Like Father, Like Son. Ziggy Marley Spreads The Importance of Love and Humanity in his Music. Photo Credit: BottleRock Napa Valley/Latitude 38 Entertainment
Taking after his father, Bob Marley, Ziggy Marley performed on the Midway Stage early Saturday evening. Spreading the message of humanity and love, which has always been seen in his music, Ziggy performed singles from his latest self-titled album which was released on May 20th.
Florence + The Machine Was One With The Crowd. Photo Credit: BottleRock Napa Valley/Latitude 38 Entertainment
Keeping the message of unity and love into the evening, Florence + The Machine closed day two. The British powerhouse took the stage in a flowy Gucci stage and barefoot - which allowed her to fully connect with the earth, the stage, and in a sense feel grounded with the audience. As she twirled and in moments reached out for the crowd, she needed the crowd just as much as they needed her. Her love for earth, humankind, became apparent even more. Florence + The Machine effortlessly sang favorites such as: “Dog Days Are Over,” “Ship to Wreck” and “Shake It Out.” Her fans, which stretched out into the thousands, chanted “Florence” in between songs begging for more.
The final day of BottleRock was jam-packed with heavy hitters such as: X Ambassadors, Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness, The Lumineers, Robert DeLong, Red Hot Chili Peppers and more.
X Ambassadors ignited their fans when they performed their mega hit “Renegades” and “Unsteady.” During X Ambassadors over on the Williams-Sonoma Culinary Stage guests were able to see "Drummers From Another Mother". Drummers Chad Smith of Red Hot Chili Peppers and Taylor Hawkins of Foo Fighters joined Chef Michael Voltaggio as he gave a lesson in cooking before the band members knocked over the the drum sets in true rock star form. (Chef Voltaggio is currently doing a "Wine & Dine" auction to benefit "Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry Campaign", dedicated to ending child hunger in America. For additional information visit: www.ebay.com/dine).
Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness. Photo Credit: BottleRock Napa Valley/Latitude 38 Entertainment
Nothing new to fame, Andrew McMahon (previously in the band, Something Corporate), asked attendees to 'all be friends' as he gave an emotional performance on a Baldwin piano. McMahon got the crowd involved as he played his singles, "Cecilia and the Satellite", and "High Dive". "It's a privilege, it's hard to articulate that I get to make music for a living and share," McMahon exclaimed. "It's a gift to us, your energy today has been a blessing."
Hard to Not Fall in Love With The Lumineers! Photo Credit: BottleRock Napa Valley/Latitude 38 Entertainment
Shortly after, McMahon, attendees skipped over the the Jam Cellars stage to view, The Lumineers. The folk-rock band, originally from Denver, Colorado, melted the hearts of absolutely EVERYONE in the audience. The band played many singles from their self-titled debut album as well as their latest album, "Cleopatra". It's difficult to not get put in a trance by the lyricism, melodies, emotion, and depth portrayed by The Lumineers.
The Lumineers Played Hits From Their Self-Titled Album as Well as Their Latest, 'Cleopatra'. Photo Credit: BottleRock Napa Valley/Latitude 38 Entertainment
Red Hot Chili Peppers closed out the festival! Festival-goers were put at ease the second they heard,Anthony Kiedis deliver his first lyric of the night: "Can't stop, addicted to the shindig." (The band, who had previously canceled two shows due to Kiedis' health problems). The surprise that RHCP always drives a very high energy and solid performance, and this one was worth the wait and anticipation. RHCP performed their hits, "By The Way", "Californication", "Snow (Hey Oh), "Otherside", and more. The show also heightened the buzz of their 11th studio album, "The Getaway", which is due out June 17th!
Red Hot Chili Peppers Wowed The Crowd! Photo Credit: BottleRock Napa Valley/Latitude 38 Entertainment
Additional chefs that participated over the weekend included:
Chef Tyler Florence, Chef Charles Phan, Chef Gordon Ramsay, Chef Chris Cosentino, Chef Maya Erickson, Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto, Top Chef Mei Lin, Chef Michael Mina, and more.
The Culinary Stage! Photo Credit: BottleRock Napa Valley/Latitude 38 Entertainment
For complete lineup and information on the Williams Sonoma Culinary Stage, click HERE.
From watching Stevie Wonder do an unbelievably heart-felt set to Red Hot Chili Peppers closing the festival with a highly anticipated crowd, guests of BottleRock left feeling nothing less than 'complete'. Together, as strangers, we come together to thrive and live for these moments in one way or another changed our lives.
Next years dates have already been set! See you again next year May 26-28th! Join the conversation on Facebook and follow us on Twitter (@BottleRockNapa, #BottleRock) and Instagram (@BottleRockNapa, #BottleRock).
