BottleRock was back this year, and back in its more familiar slot on the calendar, with a very eclectic lineup of Metallica, P!nk, Luke Combs, twenty one pilots, Kygo, Greta Van Fleet, CHVRCHES, Spoon and more.
The wide-ranging lineup also featured performances from the likes of BANKS, SAINt JHN, Alessia Cara, Vance Joy, Silversun Pickups, grandson, Misterwives, Bahamas, Marc. E Bassy, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, JORDY, The Black Crowes and more.
Like many festivals in 2021, the Napa Valley fest moved from its usual Memorial Day weekend to September, while Covid remained a big question mark earlier last year. Thankfully, the festival returned to its rightful timeframe for 2022, marking a bigger semblance of normalcy and celebration, with all the food, beverage and live music one's heart could thoroughly enjoy.
Metallica and P!nk were arguably the marquee acts of the weekend, but P!nk absolutely stood out with such a mighty appearance on the festival circuit, proving to any doubters that her incredible star power, theatrical performances and roaring vocals are just perfect for the festival stage. It's one of a few first-time appearances for the pop icon, who is also headlining Eddie Vedder's Ohana Festival as well as Austin City Limits in October.
P!nk did warn the crowd this was her first large show since before the pandemic, and despite some technical issues, she capped off a wonderful weekend, even bringing out her 10-year-old daughter on stage to sing the song "Cover Me in Sunshine."
After such a complicated and confusing period of time thanks to a global pandemic and in the middle of further divisive and trying times with war, violence and so much uncertainty, BottleRock provided a momentary escape, a place of unity, a wealth of divine food culture and a welcome place of refuge. We simply can't get enough of that right now.
See photos from BottleRock 2022 below, by Dan DeSlover.
