By Megan Lipari and Michael Milano
Special to The Hollywood Times
Napa Valley, CA May 30, 2025 — The vineyards were vibrating with bass and good energy as BottleRock Napa Valley closed out its 2025 edition this past Sunday. With a lineup that felt both nostalgic and of-the-moment, this year’s festival hit all the right notes—fusing iconic acts, surprise reunions, and emerging stars into a perfectly curated long weekend in the heart of wine country.
As attendees and contributors, we had the unique perspective of covering the action while also being part of it—Michael took the stage himself for a debut BottleRock set. And from both sides of the mic, this year’s festival was one for the books.
The festival’s major headliners, Green Day, Justin Timberlake, and Noah Kahan delivered the kind of performances that BottleRock is becoming known for: intimate yet electric, polished yet full of raw energy.
Green Day’s Saturday night set was a pop-punk masterclass, transporting the crowd straight back to their teenage bedrooms. Billie Joe Armstrong had the audience in the palm of his hand, belting out hits like American Idiot and When I Come Around with stadium-sized energy.
Justin Timberlake returned to festival form on Friday with a full-throttle, dance-heavy set that reminded everyone he’s still one of pop’s most magnetic performers. Meanwhile, Noah Kahan closed out Sunday with a heartfelt, rootsy performance that had the entire valley singing along under a pink and orange sunset.
BottleRock’s magic lies in its range—and this year was proof. One of the biggest buzz moments of the weekend was the reunion of 4 Non Blondes, who took the stage with an emotional, full-throttle rendition of What’s Up? that turned into a crowd-wide catharsis.
Sets by Ice Cube, Public Enemy, and E-40 gave the weekend a distinctly West Coast hip-hop flavor, with packed crowds proving that the classics still hit just as hard. Khruangbin hypnotized the midday audience with their psychedelic grooves, while Sofi Tukker brought the party with their colorful, high-energy EDM-pop.
And Cage the Elephant reminded everyone why they remain one of the best live bands of the last decade—their raw, theatrical performance was one of the most talked-about of the weekend.
Michael Milano Returns to BottleRock with Heartfelt Set
[Michael’s Perspective]
There are a few moments in life where time seems to slow down—and stepping back onto the BottleRock stage this weekend was one of them. Surrounded by artists I’ve admired for years and an audience that was open, engaged, and completely present, it felt like coming home in the best way possible.
BottleRock isn’t just about big names—it’s about real connection. Playing original material for a crowd that truly listened, not just heard, was deeply affirming. Huge thanks to the BottleRock team for continuing to champion emerging artists and making space for honest, evolving voices.
Beyond the Stages: Food, Wine & Celebrity Sizzle
[Megan’s Perspective]
Let’s talk about the other headliners: the food and wine. It’s not BottleRock without the culinary stage—and this year it delivered some unforgettable mashups. Highlights included Chrissy Teigen and Guy Fieri hosting a hot wings showdown, and Napa local chef Thomas Keller pairing oysters with on-the-spot haikus (yes, really).
Everywhere you turned, there was something delicious—artisan wood-fired pizzas, vegan street tacos, next-level sushi, and sweet treats made for Instagram and indulgence. Napa’s finest wineries brought their best pours to the shaded lounges, keeping the vibe elevated and easygoing.
One thing BottleRock continues to nail is its flow. The layout made it easy to move between stages, food gardens, wine lounges, and unexpected art installations without ever feeling crushed. Even at capacity, the festival maintained its trademark chill—something other large-scale events could learn from.
Sustainability efforts, like the expanded zero-waste stations and reusable cup program, didn’t feel like an afterthought. They felt like part of the experience.
Final Thoughts
BottleRock 2025 delivered everything we’ve come to expect—genre-blending music, unexpected moments, a flavor-forward food scene, and that unmistakable Napa charm. Whether you came for the legends, the rising stars, the rosé, or just the vibes, this year’s festival delivered in full.
As both artists and fans, we left feeling inspired, connected, and already looking forward to what 2026 might bring.
Until next year, Napa—cheers.
