Tag: rock

Festival Preview: BottleRock Napa Valley 2026

Ladies and gentlemen, it’s that time again! BottleRock Napa Valley has announced the lineup for this year’s festival, taking place May 22-24, 2026 at Napa Expo.

Prior to today’s announcement, BRNV took to the socials to drop some hints about the artists coming our way this year. I sure didn’t guess any correctly, but I’m looking forward to catching quite a few, as usual. It’ll be fun to see the return of Foo Fighters as headliners once more, and I’m really going to enjoy both Teddy Swims and Sombr as well. Other headliners include Backstreet Boys, Lorde, LCD Soundsystem, Lil Wayne, and Zedd. Continue reading “Festival Preview: BottleRock Napa Valley 2026”

Show Review: Swans, Little Annie and Paul Walfisch at The Lodge Room (Highland Park), 09-15-2025

“You guys brought earplugs, right?”

Although I gravitate towards, and certainly cover, a lot of heavy and angry music, my tastes are more eclectic than I let on. It’s a bit of a mood thing for me, as I’m sure it is for many, and believe it or not, but my moods fluctuate rather wildly. I may not be the picture of poly-jamorous, but I’m just as comfortable listening to avant-jazz as I am death metal. So, it might be surprising to learn that I have never seen Swans before. I’ve listened to them on and off for years and even been ridiculed by my more obsessive peers for never having made it to one of their performances, so when the opportunity finally lined up, I pressed that go button.

Continue reading “Show Review: Swans, Little Annie and Paul Walfisch at The Lodge Room (Highland Park), 09-15-2025”

Show Review: Reba Meyers at The Moroccan Lounge, 08-24-2025

Eclectic Music Abounds At The Moroccan Lounge

It’s been too long since I’ve covered a show. Legitimately over half a year. That’s not to say that I didn’t get out of the house and into the dancehalls, but my camera stayed home, and the gigs were few. I’m not really sure WHAT to chalk this all up to, but I certainly hope that this drought is ending. Notably, the first show I’ll be heading to is at the Moroccan Lounge, where I last covered TsuShiMaMiRe.

Continue reading “Show Review: Reba Meyers at The Moroccan Lounge, 08-24-2025”

BottleRock Napa Valley 2025 Festival Journal, Day 3

(You’re reading Day 3. Be sure to check out Day 1 and Day 2!)

The third and final day of a festival is always bittersweet: you know you’ll miss the free-spirited, listen-to-music-all-day-instead-of-the-rest-of-your-life vibes, but on the other hand, you’re tired and your feet hurt. It’s your last chance to catch some great set or discover a new artist. Continue reading “BottleRock Napa Valley 2025 Festival Journal, Day 3”

BottleRock Napa Valley 2025 Festival Journal, Day 2

(You’re reading Day 2. Be sure to check out Day 1!)

Saturday started off warm and bright at BottleRock. I started my day at the Verizon stage for Kate Hudson‘s set. Continue reading “BottleRock Napa Valley 2025 Festival Journal, Day 2”

BottleRock Napa Valley 2025 Festival Journal, Day 1

Friday was a beautiful day in Napa, and a great day to kick off BottleRock 2025. 72 and sunny with a nice breeze is exactly what I want, and this weekend shows up for us every single year. My day started with Ultra Q on the JaM Cellars stage. Continue reading “BottleRock Napa Valley 2025 Festival Journal, Day 1”

BottleRock Napa Valley 2024 Festival Journal, Day 3

(You’re reading Day 3. Be sure to check out Day 1 and Day 2!)

The last day of BottleRock Napa Valley 2024 started out warm and clear. Despite arriving at the Napa Valley Expo a bit later than the two days preceding, I had a full day planned. First up was The Beaches at the JaM Cellars stage. I almost missed this set because the band name didn’t ring a bell. Fortunately, another photographer mentioned that they were an all-girl band, which caused me to take a minute to look them up. As soon as I did, I realized that this was a band I’d been hearing recently (“Blame Brett”), so I tagged along to check them out. They’re a fairly high-energy pop-rock band serving plenty of attitude, and their set was a good time. The ladies of the band were cracking me up as they first took the stage, talking about wine hangovers and being “so ready to crush some grapes later!” They were trying to function after one hour of sleep, guitarist Leandra Earl explained, due to having played Red Rocks the previous night. “Who’s ready to be hungover again tomorrow?” lead vocalist Jordan Miller asked as they began “Grow Up Tomorrow.” BRNV is pretty good at putting the right bands at the right times, and this was no exception. You can find their entire setlist here. Continue reading “BottleRock Napa Valley 2024 Festival Journal, Day 3”

BottleRock Napa Valley 2024 Festival Journal, Day 2

(You’re reading Day 2. Be sure to check out Day 1!)

Saturday in Napa dawned bright and sunny for another day of festival fun! My first stop was the Verizon stage, where I caught Holly Humberstone. The girl’s voice is absolutely angelic, and while I only know a few of her songs so far, I enjoyed her performance. She was a treat to start a lovely day, and I was happy to hear both “The Walls Are Way Too Thin” and “Falling Asleep at the Wheel.” You can find the entire setlist here (Verizon; BRNV photos) Continue reading “BottleRock Napa Valley 2024 Festival Journal, Day 2”

BottleRock Napa Valley 2024 Festival Journal, Day 1

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! Continue reading “BottleRock Napa Valley 2024 Festival Journal, Day 1”

Show Review: Buddy Guy and Eric Gales Bring the Blues to Stern Grove

Buddy Guy is a legend!  The last time I saw Buddy Guy perform was a tribute to his late friend Jr. Wells.  Almost a century later, he is better than ever and a little spicy while roasting the Grove audience.  Buddy is known for helping younger artists achieve success.  Opener Eric Gales may be young in comparison; yet, was epic on his own. Continue reading “Show Review: Buddy Guy and Eric Gales Bring the Blues to Stern Grove”