BottleRock 2025 Moments
Green Day
From their “American Idiot” opener to the “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” closer, this year’s #1 rock headliners poured it on Friday night with an hour and forty-five minutes of crowd-loving material mostly from “Dookie,” “American Idiot” and 2024’s “Saviors.”
With the exception of the recent lyrics change in “American Idiot”—from “I’m not part of a redneck agenda” to “I’m not part of the MAGA agenda”— and the high-flying white “Bad Year” blimp throughout, it was a largely politics-free rock ‘n roll party with front man Billie Joe Armstrong giving a typically buoyant performance, happily interjecting home town Northern California references in the between-song patter.
Sublime
The last time Sublime played BottleRock was 2014 when their identity was “Sublime with Rome,” with the band’s late founder Bradley Nowell replaced by singer/guitarist Rome Ramirez. The current edition features the founder’s son, Jakob Nowell. The ska/punk band got a huge fan reception for their main stage set on Friday, though technical audio difficulties compromised the early part of the performance.
Linda Perry (of 4 Non Blondes)
Linda Perry, best known as the lead singer and primary songwriter of 4 Non Blondes, played a solo acoustic set at the JamPad at this year’s festival. She has had a long respected career not only as a singer/songwriter, but also as a record producer and a recording engineer, collaborating with Christina Aguilera, Gwen Stefani, Pink, Adele, Alicia Keys and many others.
Anders Osborne
Anders Osborne is a veteran New Orleans-based blues and roots rocker who performed with his band on the Prudential Stage and frequently plays with the North Mississippi All-Stars and has collaborated over the decades with a virtual who’s who of blues, rock and country artists.
Kate Hudson
Yes, actress Kate Hudson is the real deal as a pop singer. With a strong set on the Verizon Stage, it’s not nepotism (she is Goldie Hawn’s daughter) or opportunism from her fame as an actress. On her own she’s got the vocal chops for her successful musical incarnation.
Balthvs
Performing in both English (perfect, by the way) and Spanish, this terrific trio from Colombia, South America describes itself as a psychodelic funk band. Aguirre is an extraordinary guitarist.
Grace Bowers
Gracing (pun intended) a mid-festival show at Napa’s Uptown Theatre and two BottleRock stages, Grace Bowers is a 19 year-old guitarist/singer from Nashville. A brilliant guitarist with a stunning stage presence, she is destined for serious stardom, and soon.
Goose
This Connecticut-based jam band has the grooves and chops that puts them in a league with Phish and Dead & Co., as well as an inspired fan following. Lead singer and wonderful guitarist Rick Mitarotonda led great sets on the VIP Village and JaM Cellars Stages.
Eggy
Yes, there were two Connecticut-based jam bands with funny names at the same rock festival. Eggy is Jake Brownstein on guitar, Dani Battat on keys, Mike Goodman on Bass and Alex Bailey on drums. All four sing. They were enthusiastically received on the Prudential Stage.
The Coverups
This aptly named cover band is a Green Day spin-off featuring Billie Joe Armstrong, Tré Cool and members of the band’s road crew. At their BottleRock Aftershow at the Napa Valley Opera House, they treated a packed house to a late evening of popular hits including “I Think We’re Alone Now,” “Summer of ’69,” “I Fought the Law,” “Should I Stay or Should I Go” “Dancing With Myself” and “All the Young Dudes.”
