To quote the real Slim Shady off his 2009 album, “Relapse,” “crack a bottle, let your body waddle / Don’t act like a snobby model, you just hit the lotto,” cause BottleRock returns to the lovely and temperate Mediterranean climate of Napa Valley on Memorial Day weekend, May 22-24. When I previously covered the three day music festival, I got to see big hitters like Ed Sheeran, The Offspring and Stevie Nicks as well as some personal favorites like The Moss and Jared Harper. And not only that, but I got to eat a Philly cheesesteak made by academy award winner Bradly Cooper at the Danny and Coop’s Cheesesteaks pop up — I mention this to say, the food showcase hits as high of notes as the singers do.
Ecstatic to be back again after two years, I already have my itinerary maxed out as to not miss a beat.
To kick it off on day one, my first stop will be the HelloFresh Stage to watch Penelope Rode for their unique blend of what I can only describe as alt-pop country if it were sung by Michael Bublé. Before the show, you have to listen to their 2025 EP “Chance Encounter,” to truly get into the groovy, eclectic guitar up-beat hits and soulful vocals. Then I’ll nap a quick bite from either Vaqueros Taqueria or Los Agaves Napa for some al pastor and asada stuffed corn tortillas before saying hello again to the HelloFresh Stage for The Paradox who somehow capture the early Myspace profile song days of blink-182 or Green Day pitch perfectly.
For dinner? Probably something heavy, I would have only eaten a couple tacos. Maybe Sumo Dog, who pile so many toppings onto their sausages from guacamole to wasabi relish to pickled daikon that it’s hard to argue that a hot dog isn’t a sandwich. I’ll then “feel that stream of dopamine” at Børn’s 7:15 p.m. performance before I travel in a fried-out Komb so I can vibe out to Men at Work performing one of the all timers of the 80s new wave, “Down Under” — and yes, I can hear the thunder.
Barely rested, tired eyes won’t matter because day two is my most anticipated day of the festival — I won’t give it away yet, so all I’ll say is “oh my oh my God the entertainment’s here.” I’ll need to fill up once the gates open and I think a safe bet is Boon Fly Café for some hearty fried chicken and biscuits. Flipturn goes on from 2:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. and their lyric “California, I’m okay” will never be more true to their adoring fans gathered at the T-mobile stage. But then at 4:15 p.m. is MY main event.
AJR was my top artist for three consecutive years. Their sophomore release, “The Click,” revolutionized my perception of music and their third studio outing “Neotheater” is my favorite album of all time! And their live performances are notorious for exaggerated showmanship, breaking down their iconic tracks like “Weak” as well as always performing one song amongst the crowd — fingers crossed for “World’s Smallest Violin.”
More than likely famished from singing every single word as if I were the one on the Prudential Stage, I’ll be distracted by my burgers and shakes, ready for some fixins from Stateline Road Smokehouse — where no ribs will be spared or pork un-pulled. As the chaser to my favorite band, Foo Fighters will be the perfect bump of raw medicine to an incredible second day at BottleRock.
The final push of what will be a Memorial Day weekend to remember starts at 1:15 at the NorthBay Health Stage for Girl Tones, a high energy rock duo slash sister act from classically trained musicians, Kenzie Shultz and Laila Crowe. My last lunch — I hate to even think about it — might be served up from Ristorante Allegria for one of their chicken parm sandwiches.
Stuffed from lunch, I’ll take some advice from my next act, Mt. Joy, and move till I feel better, in this golden afternoon in Napa Valley. Since they end at 5:45 p.m., it’ll be time for me to eat again and Imma go all in with The Hemi from Drewski’s Grilled Cheese Truck — a twist on the classic sandwich that uses mac n’ cheese as the cheese and stuffs it with Carolina BBQ pulled pork, my mouth is watering already! And correct me if I’m wrong, cause I don’t think they ever left, but as the ultimate closer to BottleRock 2026, Backstreet’s back — alright!
There is no way to transition without this next bit sounding like a YouTube sponsorship, but I wouldn’t have been able to plan all this out if not for the actually really good BottleRock app. It allows me to favorite artists with just a tap, add them to my schedule by day with full details on when and where they will perform, and shows me all the menus for their lengthy list of vendors — which just makes me sad that I cannot try all of them! They even have a linked Spotify mix which is just a truly brilliant way to shuffle through the sounds of the setlists and discover new artists you wouldn’t have otherwise known about if not for them playing the same weekend as Kool & the Gang.
But hey! This is only my itinerary and there is so much yet to be announced awesomeness, like the Williams Sonoma Culinary Stage line up and exact menus, that will surely pop the cork on your perfect BottleRock experience.