Even if I weren’t eagerly awaiting this year’s BottleRock Napa Valley, as I do every year, I would have known it was coming: Napa weather has been absolutely perfect lately. Highs in the mid-70s, clouds are few and far between, and there’s often a lovely breeze if you get a little hot in direct sunlight. Seriously, it’s been wonderful. It’s perfect festival weather!
The first artist I caught this year was Pete Yorn on the main (JaM Cellars) stage. Before he started, he explained that he had been scheduled to appear at last year’s BRNV but had to cancel last minute due to a medical emergency. Fortunately, he was able to make this year’s festival work; he set the tone for a pretty groovy day. He had a Guinness ready for him when he appeared on stage, and as he got settled and ready to start, he mentioned to the crowd that it was Guinness 0 (which contains no alcohol but apparently tastes pretty close to the real thing). He added that it was “about my fifth sober show ever.” The crowd was supportive and cheered on his sobriety, which was sweet to witness. I was happiest to hear his new single, “Someday, Someday,” but those who are interested can check out his entire setlist here. (I missed his cover of Poison’s “Every Rose Has its Thorn,” but I imagine it was great.)
Next up was BoyWithUke (Charley Yang) at the Verizon stage (the “other” big stage where headliners also play). The set got off to a rocky start, though I couldn’t really tell why. I was fairly sure he wasn’t singing live during the first song, and he kept posing as though he was expecting the crowd to go apeshit over him… which they did not. After the first song, though, Yang stopped to talk to the crowd and addressed a “lie”: the microphone he was holding wasn’t “real,” meaning it wasn’t turned on. There’s actually a microphone inside Yang’s mask, but he explained that he continues to hold a microphone because it looks better in photos. Next he played “Camouflage,” which not only sounded much better but featured a video on the screen behind him, showing a gorgeous sort of animated watercolor show. Overall, I think I’ll just listen to BoyWithUke on Alt Nation in the future, as I find it hard to connect with an artist who hides behind a mask. (I found out later that he does indeed take the mask off for the last part of his set, but his face is still pretty concealed by his hair…)
Later, I caught All Time Low back at the Verizon stage. In my 20s, I was definitely into some pop-punk music, but this is a band I haven’t spent much time listening to. I enjoyed what I saw of their set, though – those dudes have a lot of energy, and so do the fans! Their set was a perfect pairing with the breezy, late-spring vibes. “Monsters” is the only song by this band that I actually know, and I loved hearing it live. I went into this set with zero expectations, and All Time Low was a pleasant surprise and a pretty fun set.
Over at the JaM Cellars stage, Bebe Rexha came out sassy. Her set began with “Me Myself & I,” followed by “I’m a Mess,” during which Rexha gave out a shout to other “messy bitches” in attendance. After “Bad Bitch, Rexha made a comment about her “big fat ass,” which made me giggle. I enjoyed her flirty body positivity and the way she shamelessly worked the fan at the front of the stage; Bebe’s big, gorgeous voice is just as wondrous as her big, gorgeous booty.
Eventually, I needed a break to find something yummy to sustain me for the rest of the evening. Making my way across the festival grounds, I caught most of Chevy Metal’s fun cover of “Psycho Killer,” which I thoroughly enjoyed. Not long after, I spied Nash & Proper serving Nashville Hot Chicken and hopped in line. They put the hot in hot chicken, but it was delicious, and their fries were perfection.
Back at the Verizon stage after dinner, I relived some fun noughties memories when Nelly graced the stage. I absolutely loved his look as he balanced out a t-shirt and shorts with a cool pair of sunglasses and some absolutely stunning diamonds all over his neck, face, and wrist. I caught “E.I.,” “Country Grammar,” and “Ride with Me,” to name a few. Later, I’m pretty sure I heard “Hot in Herre,” too, which I’m sure was a great performance of an older hit. BottleRock has always been good at bringing back artists from some years past (most notably 90s artists, but there are those from the 80s or 00s, too), and Nelly was no exception. The crowd was full of fun, contagious energy, and Nelly fed it while feeding off of it. I would definitely catch him again in the future!
I returned to the Verizon stage for the last time of the day to catch the fabulous Megan Thee Stallion. I’d never seen her before, but I also don’t live under a rock, and I was looking forward to checking her out for myself. I was completely blown away by her sexy energy and sassy attitude. The woman is hard to take your eyes off of, and I marveled at how she was able to simultaneously dance and twerk (at times alone on stage, other times with a mob of “hot girls” flanking her) while performing and engaging the audience. Beyond being so impressed, though, I was delighted to find that I adored her whole vibe: she’s a beautiful woman who really knows how to perform, and it was the most fun I had at any set all day.
The last act of the day at the JaM Cellars stage was Stevie Nicks. I didn’t catch her entire set, but I did enjoy hearing parts of “Gypsy” and her cover of Buffalo Springfield’s “For What It’s Worth.” It’s always fun to have a legend grace a local stage, and Nicks is no exception. People absolutely love her, and that never gets old to behold. I’m glad she finally made it here; her set was undoubtedly more than anyone could have asked for. She closed with “Edge of Seventeen;” you can find her entire setlist here. That’s it for day one – see you tomorrow for Day 2 (and Sunday for Day 3)!
