House of Music

BottleRock Napa

Napa, CA

May 24th, 2024

Photos and Review by Alexander Andrade

The lush vineyards and rolling hills of Napa Valley provided the perfect backdrop for the annual BottleRock festival this Memorial Day weekend. Now in its 11th year, this three-day celebration of music, food, wine, and culture drew massive crowds eager to bask in the warm California sun and groove to an incredibly diverse lineup of artists.

As you approached the grounds of the Napa Valley Expo, the electric energy was palpable. Fans decked out in colorful festival attire streamed through the gates, buzzing with anticipation. The air was thick with the inviting aromas of sizzling food trucks and the sweet notes of local wines waiting to be uncorked.

From the moment you set foot inside, it was clear BottleRock had once again curated an experience that catered to all the senses. The main stages were impressively constructed to provide unobstructed views, while tucked away in corners and vineyards were intimate spaces hosting up-and-coming acts. Whether you were there to catch the biggest headliners or discover your new favorite band, BottleRock’s seamless layout made it all possible.

BoyWithUke

As the sun began to set over the Napa Valley Expo on Friday, the Verizon stage was taken over by the irresistible energy of BoyWithUke. The Korean-American singer-musician, whose real name is Charley Vang, has amassed a massive online following with his ukulele. On this evening, he proved his live show is where his true star power shines.

Boywithuke was very energetic and enthusiastic to his set to kickoff the Verizon stage. The masked Korean American artist bounced around the stage with infectious energy and, surprisingly, started without his signature ukulele.

After performing his first song, Charley addressed the crowd with an unexpected revelation. “I have a confession to make,” he announced, “this mic is not real.” He explained with a grin that the microphone was merely a prop for the photographers, adding humor to the situation. “The real mic is right here,” he said, pointing to his mouth on his mask.

Despite this amusing start, Charley maintained his high energy throughout the next two songs, “Two Moon” and “Migraine.” His lively performance kept the audience engaged and enthusiastic. Notably, he did all this while wearing a sweater in the afternoon heat, which deserves a round of applause. This emerging artist certainly knows how to captivate a crowd.

Jessie Murph

Jessie Murph, the 19-year-old singer-songwriter from Alabama, kicked off the JaM Cellars stage at around 3:30 PM. She opened her set with a tease of the popular song “Wild One” featuring Jelly Roll, slowly making her way to the center of the stage where a small set awaited her. Dressed in baggy black pants and a colorful striped shirt, Jessie was joined by a few backup singers and a bassist.

The performance began with the moody, bass-driven “While You’re At It.” Following an impressive doo-wop-inflected song and “If I Died Last Night,” she performed her hit “Cowboys and Angels,” which seamlessly blended hip-hop and roots music. An unreleased song, “Best Behavior,” featured rapped lyrics over a hard rock melody, showcasing her versatility.

Throughout her set, Jessie moved back and forth across the front of the stage, waving to fans and maintaining a strong connection with the audience. A standout moment was her cover of the country classic “Tennessee Whiskey,” leading into the final stretch of her performance with “Pray” and the popular single “Wild Ones.”

Although I wasn’t very familiar with Jessie Murph before, I’m glad I got to witness her set. This rising country artist is definitely worth watching.

Bebe Rexha

Bebe Rexha strutted on stage in a jumpsuit with blue lines and black sunglasses. With a purposeful flair, she removed the glasses and launched into “Me, Myself and I.” Her performance was unexpectedly powerful and confident, immediately engaging the crowd. “This song is ‘I’m a Mess,’ and it’s about me,” she announced before starting the track. During the song, she shook her head from side to side, making her hair fly wildly.

At one point, Bebe and her backup dancers got on the ground, where the dancers grabbed her arms and pulled her back and forth, with Bebe even pounding the ground. She was blunt about her weight, stating, “Your girl likes to eat. No Ozempic for me. I’m scared of that shit. I’m all natural, and if you don’t like that, you can kiss my fat f*cking ass.”

Shortly after, Bebe wanted to sing with the crowd in the pit, but security tried to stop her. She argued and eventually got assistance to join the fans, expressing how BottleRock Napa is all about partying together, not just staying on stage. She performed “Meant to Be,” humorously thanking fans for not throwing their cell phones at her once she returned to the stage.

After initially being told no about going into the crowd, she defiantly said, “F*ck that.” Back on stage, she told the audience she had one more song and thanked them for letting her perform. She closed out her set with “I’m Good.”

Nelly

Before Nelly hit the stage, anticipation was palpable among the fans. As I walked back to the media room, I noticed a massive crowd from the JaM Cellars area moving towards the Verizon stage, a clear testament to Nelly’s enduring popularity. His music set was a nostalgic trip for me, as I grew up with many of his hits. Early in the set, he asked, “How many of you here were with me 25 years ago?” which resonated deeply with the audience.

The performance was a mix of his iconic hits, including “Ride Wit Me,” “Dilemma,” and “Hot in Herre.” Reflecting on his early days, Nelly remarked, “Back in those days, I would wear a Band-Aid under my eye.” Accompanied by a DJ and a hype man, Nelly delivered tight flows and high energy throughout the show. His genuine happiness to be there was evident and infectious.

Megan Thee Stallion

Megan Thee Stallion was the headliner most of the crowd had been eagerly awaiting. As fans anticipated her set, excitement rippled through the Verizon stage area. When her picture appeared on the big screen with the message “Up Next, Megan Thee Stallion,” the entire area erupted in cheers. Megan Thee Stallion delivered an electrifying and empowering performance at BottleRock Napa Valley on May 24th, 2024. As night fell, she commanded the stage with great energy and swagger, clad in a striking pink sequined tutu and skirt, pink heeled boots, and puffy curly hair. This is definitely a new look for the artist coming from long straight hair.

She opened her set with “Not Nice,” accompanied by dancers in coordinated pink ensembles, setting the tone for an atmosphere of excitement and confidence. Megan hyped up the overflowing crowd with hits like “Thot Shit,” “Freaky Girls,” and “Freak Nasty.” After the artist powered through the first few songs on the set, she yelled out “Welcome to the motherfucking hot girls show!” before launching into “Sugar Baby.” The performance was a spectacle of pulsating beats, twerking dance moves, and pyrotechnics.

Megan showcased her magnetic stage presence and undeniable star power, even in the absence of collaborators like DaBaby during “Cash Shit.” She paid homage to her origins, acknowledging the “OG hotties” and seamlessly transitioning from an a cappella snippet of “BOA” to the full track. Songs like “Ride Or Die” and “Realer” encouraged fans to defy haters and embrace self-worth and confidence. Throughout her set, Megan interacted with the crowd, often addressing them directly and creating a sense of unity and empowerment among her fans.

A standout moment was her heartfelt dedication to her late mother, which added an emotional depth to the otherwise high-energy performance. The highlight of the night was her invigorating performance of “Savage,” which had the audience dancing along to the viral TikTok hit. The crowd roared with excitement, mirroring the intensity of Megan’s performance.

Megan Thee Stallion’s BottleRock set was a celebration of her killer flow, incendiary lyricism, and jaw-dropping visuals. Her ability to blend powerful messages of self-confidence with electrifying entertainment cemented her status as the “Houston Hottie” of 2024.