Ever been to California’s Napa Valley? Y’know, wine country? True story: This past weekend, several thousand greying music fans visited the small town for the likes of Smash Mouth, Third Eye Blind, Gin Blossoms, Bakenaked Ladies, and Spin Doctors. Some also arrived for LL Cool J, Eric Church, Weezer, and Heart. Others for The Cure, OutKast, and Deerhunter. Yes, this lineup existed, and yes I survived it all.
Despite what must be this year’s most eccentric lineup to date, the weekend festivities at Napa’s BottleRock Music Festival were fairly laid back. Attendees could grab various wines and beers throughout, stages were easy to come and go from, and the sunshine allowed for that sort of Kodak moment people attempt to replicate on Instagram these days.
Granted, it was more of an adult affair, which naturally made it weird to catch more raucous acts like Thee Oh Sees and No Age. Still, the crowds were mature enough to stick around and experience something they may or may not have heard of — probably the latter. Having said that, the veterans really won out, especially The Cure, who dealt with the rough blow of a curfew. Again.
Really, the only dicey moment arrived Saturday afternoon when Smash Mouth’s Steve Harwell chewed on a few sour grapes by telling the crowd that Third Eye Blind “can suck my dick.” Note: Both bands were playing at the same time. Judging from their respective crowds, both were all-stars at BottleRock, seemingly The Twilight Zone of contemporary music.
Missed it? Relive the weekend below.
