Headed to BottleRock? Here are 5 Performances You Can't Miss

A few weeks remain until some of music’s biggest stars take the stage at Napa Valley’s BottleRock festival. And while rocking out to Billy Idol, Muse, and Bruno Mars is a must, there are many lesser-known acts that may just be music’s next big thing. Here are 5 musical performances you can’t miss.

Tank and the Bangas

Hailing from New Orleans, Tank and the Bangas brings a grab bag of sounds to the stage – rhythmic soul, rock, gospel, funk, folk, and flowing spoken word. We promise you won’t be able to take your eyes off of Tank, their spellbinding frontwoman. Phish guitarist and singer Trey Anastasio sings Tank’s praises, as a “force of nature, just full of joy – and her band is killing in the background.” Tank and the Bangas won NPR’s 2017 Tiny Desk Contest, and the band has been making waves ever since. For an energetic show and a lot of sound, rhythm, light, and expression, Tank and the Bangas will leave you talking.

The Struts

This glam rock band from the UK has only one mission, “to bring back that feeling of fun and rock & roll,” says frontman Luke Spiller. Reminiscent of Queen and 80s hair metal bands, The Struts have massive riffs, catchy melodies, and arena-ready anthems, backed by Spiller’s incredible vocal range. Yahoo Music declared them as “one of the most exciting and electric performers in rock today,” and MTV believes The Struts are “well on their way to bringing rock & roll back to the forefront.” Having already been selected to open shows for The Rolling Stones and Mötley Crüe, this is one band with a heavy endorsement.

Natalia Lafourcade

For some sultry easy listening tunes, Grammy winning singer-songwriter Natalia Lafourcade will be taking the stage with her native Mexican sounds with elements of jazz, rock, bossa nova, and folk. Lafourcade received critical acclaim following her debut album at the age of 17, and has been one of Latin America’s most successful pop rock singers ever since. Stick around for Natalia’s upbeat 2015 hit, Hasta la Raíz, which earned her Song of the Year at the 16th Latin Grammy Awards.

Oh Wonder

This London based pop duo got together by complete accident, but couldn’t fight the musical sparks between them. Josephine Vander Gucht and Anthony West of Oh Wonder produce classic melodic pop hits with hypnotic dual vocals, bewitching and ethereal sounds, and exposed and emotional lyrics. You may have already heard one of their songs without knowing it. Oh Wonder has had quite a few soundtrack staples over the years, with songs appearing in MTV’s Scream and Catfish, the BBC drama Doctor Foster, British soap opera Coronation Street, and more.

Michael Franti & Spearhead

We know you’ve heard their hit ‘Say Hey (I Love You)’ and now you can see these Bay Area musicians perform this feel-good tune on stage. Michael Franti & Spearhead has long channeled frustration into music and is recognized as a pioneering force in the music industry. A musician, humanitarian, and filmmaker, Franti uses his platform to give back to those who need it most. He created the Do It For The Love Foundation, which grants live concert music wishes to people living with severe challenges or life-threatening illnesses. Blending hip-hop, rock, folk, and reggae, Michael Franti & Spearhead creates danceable inspiring music that is both thought provoking and triumphantly hopeful.

For a full list of BottleRock performers, stages, and times, visit BottleRock Napa Valley. Looking for some BottleRock grub? Check out our post, 5 Pop-Up Restaurants at BottleRock You Can’t Miss.

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Are you attending this year’s BottleRock Napa Valley? Book your stay with the Napa Winery Inn, a luxury hotel only minutes from the festival. Take advantage of our special Spring Sale, now through May 18th.