California is no stranger to music festivals headlined by Coachella, which draw huge crowds and make national headlines each year.
But have you heard of Napa’s Bottle Rock Festival? Celebrating its 10th anniversary this Memorial Day weekend, the three-day line-up attracted 120,000 fans.
This year’s theme was a mix of modern pop and ’90s rock, and featured a line-up featuring nightly duel headliners including Red Hot Chili Peppers, Smashing Pumpkins, Post Malone and Lizzo.
Music is what sells tickets before the event, but where and how you hear it is what separates one festival from the other. BottleRock has proven they can attract big names, and this year they showed something just as important.
Despite significant growth, on-site experiences are more organized, fun and local than ever before, and the surrounding neighborhoods offer unique opportunities that make a weekend trip worthwhile.
Locally inspired, carefully crafted food and drink
Usually, the composition of the audience is determined by the act, but this year’s Bottle Rock includes Duran Duran, Sheryl Crow, Billy Strings, and the Wu-Tang family.
One of the most common comments I heard during the festival was how small and manageable the festival was and how well organized it was compared to, say, Coachella. Public spaces were always cleaned, toilets were flushable and overall well maintained.
Another very impressive aspect is that BottleRock has maintained most of its food and beverage programs locally despite its growth over the past decade.
About a dozen local wineries had booths that you could visit (many beverage vendors also served by the glass or decanter). It has its own craft beer bar, mostly area vendors, and the food quality was impressive. offerings.
The festival also had a culinary stage hosting small shows, cooking demonstrations and celebrity appearances such as Giada de Laurentiis.
Interactive spaces and word-of-mouth secrets
Throughout the festival grounds, we were able to find many interactive spaces that were openly advertised, as well as hard-to-find hidden spots that were run by word of mouth.
A standout was Monkey Shoulder’s “Port-a-Party,” hidden in a plain area adjacent to one of the restroom areas. What appeared to be a row of normal toilets was actually the entrance to the hideout, accessed through a fake toilet. Once inside, guests were treated to his secret DJ set (like Trackstar) and signature cocktails made with the featured whiskey.
Other interactive spaces such as Hendrick’s Gin Bar and Jam Pad Stage upstairs were also easily accessible. The latter hosted sideshow his performances such as Warren G and Pete Yorn, and had a first-come, first-served wine bar where anyone could watch the show from backstage.
If you want to see your favorite artists in a smaller setting, the official Bottle Rock aftershow is the way to go. The After Dark series takes place at your local theater and features big names like The Smashing Pumpkins and The Struts.
In addition to being close to many relaxing experiences (see below), Bottle Rock has introduced another this year. It focused on wellness, headlined by a morning concert and ceremony from East Forest, known for its psilocybin soundtrack. Music For Mushrooms: Soundtracks for Psychedelic Practitioners.
Relaxing Wine Country and Refreshing Participating Facilities
For young festival-goers, tents and campsites may be all you need to get through the multi-day festival. But California’s wine country offers much more than that for those who want to recharge night after night in a comfortable, quiet and relaxing place (by the way, there are no camping options on site).
Small hotels, inns, B&Bs and vacation rentals are all available in Napa and surrounding wine country towns (Sonoma, Yountville, St. Helena, Calistoga, etc.). While downtown Napa is filled with festival buzz, the countryside offers a quiet and peaceful place every night.
But just because you’ve escaped to a quiet respite doesn’t mean you have to turn your back on festivals. For example, Calistoga’s Solage is great for both detox and retox. This 4-star hotel offers a free festival shuttle (worth your gold!) and hosts poolside barbecues and late-night post-festival events for those who want to keep the party going, helping Bottle Rock. enjoy your weekend.
Take advantage of these perks during festival mode and wake up the next morning to visit the expansive outdoor spa and enjoy a (free) wellness circuit between five geothermal immersion pools of varying temperatures and minerals.
Afterwards, relax on the atmospheric outdoor patio (every room has a patio, regardless of size) or take a nap on plush bedding next to the indoor fireplace. When you’re reenergized, head to the 40-foot-tall pool and adjoining restaurant, Solbar, for cocktails made with local Napa Valley ingredients and fresh, internationally inspired cuisine.
Nearby activities to keep your balance
Countless wineries can be visited within a short drive from the Bottlerock Festival site.
Before long, you find yourself taken from a lively gathering to a breathtaking farmland where you can taste some of America’s most revered wines. The importance of this opportunity and change cannot be overemphasized for those looking to refresh themselves during a long weekend.
Want to quit drinking? no problem. Go hiking in one of the many natural areas, or visit the surrounding state parks, such as Bothe-Napa Valley State Park, to refresh yourself., Or visit the natural hot springs of Calistoga. Visit downtown Napa and other towns mentioned above for boutique shopping, shopping, and local restaurants.
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