Pop Stars, Lobster Corndogs, and Panic Over Liquid Nitrogen: BottleRock Napa Valley
Top Chef and Chili Pepper - Photo © Jordan Ranft
While seemingly every American staffer at In Spite Magazine was at Punk Rock Bowling in Vegas, I was in the sun-soaked heart of Napa Valley for BottleRock—a food, wine, and music festival now in its 13th year. As a matter of personal preference, BottleRock isn’t the kind of event I’d typically attend. I usually gravitate toward smaller venues or DIY shows, spaces that highlight more fringe or underground acts.
No judgment to those who go for lineups packed with mainstream names—this isn’t about gatekeeping. I’m just an annoying hipster who likes what he likes.
That said, I wasn’t familiar with much of the BottleRock roster this year and figured it might make for a fun fish-out-of-water story. So for anyone who clicked on this article just to see a photo of Benson Boone mid-backflip, here’s the short version: I had a delightful time, made some new friends, and ate a $35 lobster corn dog topped with caviar.
Benson Boone - Photo © Jordan Ranft
I quickly realized that Benson Boone is at the level of fame where, even though I’ve never actively sought out his music, I’ve still heard his songs. He came onstage wearing a leather jacket over a white tank top, cuffed blue jeans, and white sneakers. I immediately wondered if he was doing a Freddie Mercury homage—and later found out that’s an ongoing point of comparison for him. He did a frontflip off a piano and got right down to business, playing his most well-known hits and immediately hooking the crowd into a sing-along.
Benson Boone - Photo © Jordan Ranft
His songs were a blend of pop and rock that feel like they were made in a lab to maximize catchiness. The front of the stage and the extended catwalk were packed with young women holding hand-drawn signs for Boone. Whenever he sauntered from one side of the stage to the other, the crowd closest to him screamed with excitement. Just from the pure energy of the crowd and Boone’s performance, I felt a mild euphoria standing tucked into the pit, taking my photos. I never understood those old videos of people fainting at the rail during Elvis shows—but after getting just a taste of what a big-name pop act feels like live, I now have a better sense of how easy it is to get swept up in the hype of a massive crowd.
Ice Cube - Photo © Jordan Ranft
What’s there really to say about Ice Cube? He’s one of the original pioneers of West Coast gangster rap, and his trademark sneer helped launch an immensely successful film career. He emerged from an elevator in the middle of the stage, mean-mugging the crowd from behind a pair of stunna shades, and delivered an hour of old-school bangers that had the crowd swaying and bouncing from start to finish.
Goldie Boutilier - Photo © Jordan Ranft
The artist I was most familiar with happened to be one of the openers. I stumbled upon Goldie Boutilier about a year ago and was immediately captivated by her voice and vintage sound. Something about her music makes it feel like, no matter the time or place, you’re listening as the sun sets behind the purple mountains of a desert. She warbles lyrics about heartbreak and love over a blend of soul and country twang. Definitely one to keep an eye on over the next few years.
Top Chef's Kristen Kish and Anthony Kiedis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers - Photo © Jordan Ranft
My favorite moment at the festival wasn’t a music act at all, but rather watching Anthony Kiedis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers make an ice cream sundae with Top Chef's Kristen Kish. BottleRock, being a food and wine event as much as a music festival, had a demo kitchen stage set up in the middle of the grounds with celebrity chefs and musicians cycling through all weekend. Kiedis was there to promote his new coffee company, Jolene, and walked onstage shirtless, aside from a white apron, and wearing a pair of torn jean shorts. Given that he’s a rock and roll superstar, it was fascinating to watch him in a setting where he clearly wasn’t as confident. At one point, he nervously poured liquid nitrogen into a stand mixer while Kish reminded him that it could burn if he spilled any on himself. The worry in his eyes was genuine, and I couldn’t have been more riveted.
Anthony Kiedis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers - Photo © Jordan Ranft
Along with the music and the chefs, BottleRock also boasts an impressive array of food and beverage options. That’s no surprise, considering it’s located in the heart of California’s food and wine country. While I don’t drink, I was still able to sample a wide variety of dishes and non-alcoholic options—alcohol-free espresso martinis, spicy virgin daiquiris, BBQ pork nachos, and fish tacos among them. Throughout the weekend, I kept hearing rumors about a stand selling lobster corn dogs topped with caviar, and on the final day, I finally tracked it down. It tasted exactly like you’d expect a corn dog full of lobster to taste. BottleRock is a solid music festival, but where it really shines is as an epicurean experience.
Please enjoy a few more photos from the day featuring KALEO, Benson Boone, Goldie Boutilier, Lauren Mayberry, Sharon Van Etten, Ice Cube, and Benson Boone mid-backflip.
