Just when you thought BottleRock, now in its seventh year, was getting pretty good, the festival's 2019 lineup drops and you wonder what's not that cool—the Wine Country music festival, or you.
Among this year's top draws are, yes, the one and only Godfather of Grunge Neil Young—a major draw for Gen X-ers; Mumford & Sons, a solid festival act that pairs well with craft beer and craft joints; and Pharrell Williams, whom we do still adore despite his "Happy" song having ruined our brains forever. But are we really still into Imagine Dragons?
While we've got all the love for local acts like Michael Franti and Moonalice, it seems its time for these returning fest regulars to make room on the stage for some fresher acts—like, you know, Cypress Hill (ok ok, we still love them too).
On the heels of 2018—when Bruno Mars, The Killers, Snoop Dogg, Billy Idol, and Thievery Corporation were the draws—the '19 is sounding just a bit sad. But then, maybe we're being to harsh? We can get down with Sylvan Esso, Santana, and Lord Huron. Silent disco with Paul Oakenfold won't suck, and we'll take any opportunity to ogle Jeff Goldblum who's appearing with the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra. Also look out for Marian Hill, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, and Citizen Cope.
And then of course there's the food and drink, which is half the appeal of BottleRock anyhow. We're withholding judgment until that lineup has been released. Stay tuned.
// BottleRock 2019 goes down May 24-26. Three-day passes ($1,599) go on sale Tuesday, Jan. 8 at 10am; single-day passes ($359) on sale Thursday, Jan. 10 at 10am. For the complete lineup and tickets, go to bottlerocknapavalley.com.
