Eight must-see musical acts at Napa’s kickoff to summer

BottleRock, Wine Country’s decade-old Memorial Day weekend tradition, is set to return to the Napa Valley Expo on May 24-26 with an all-star lineup of artists, regional wine and food, and cooking demonstrations.

With more than 70 bands performing on five stages, here are acts not to be missed during the three-day festival.

Stevie Nicks

The Fleetwood Mac singer’s appearance at BottleRock has been a long time coming — she was set to appear at the 2020 festival before it was postponed due to the pandemic, and then canceled her 2021 appearance due to COVID-19 concerns. Last December, she headlined San Francisco’s Chase Center, which marked a homecoming of sorts for the singer, who moved to California as a teenager and attended San Jose State University. Even after skyrocketing to fame as part of Fleetwood Mac in the 1970s, her heart still lies with the Bay Area.

“That’s where it all started,” she said during a 2018 interview with the Chronicle. “It’s where I belong. It’s been years since I lived there, but to this day it still feels like home.”

8:15 p.m. Friday, May 24. JaM Cellars Stage.

Ed Sheeran

The British singer-songwriter has collaborated with artists such as Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber and Stormzy over the course of his career. His last appearance in the Bay Area was for his “+ — = ÷ x Tour” in September, which supported his sixth studio album, “Subtract.” He broke Levi’s Stadium’s attendance record, drawing nearly 80,000 people, despite being solo on stage for a majority of the set. A four-time Grammy Award winner, Sheeran is highly regarded for his guitar skills and has sold more than 150 million records.

8:15 p.m. Sunday, May 26. JaM Cellars Stage.

Pearl Jam

On the heels of its latest release, “Dark Matter,” the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame act is set to headline the second night of the festival. The grunge band last performed in the Bay Area at the Oakland Arena in 2022 and has recently embarked on a North American tour in support of the new record, which was produced by rock producer-songwriter Andrew Watt last summer. The record marks the Seattle-born group’s 12th since

liams-Sonoma Culinary Stage, hosted by Bay Area radio and TV personality Liam Mayclem, offering unique cooking demonstrations.

While the lineup of celebrity chefs for this year’s festival hasn’t been announced yet, you can expect many headliners to participate in the demonstrations.

Although the food prepared on stage isn’t typically offered to the crowd, festivalgoers won’t be left hungry. BottleRock boasts some of the best festival food in the country, with the region’s finest chefs and restaurateurs serving up dishes alongside wines from over a dozen renowned Napa Valley wineries. Platinumlevel guests have access to rare and cult wines, presented by master sommeliers and wine experts. There are also beer

and cocktail options available.

Before deciding on lunch, take a brief stroll around the two main food and beverage areas to explore your options. If the music sweeps you away and you leave the festival still hungry, downtown Napa offers plenty of dining options.

What happens after the festival?

The music doesn’t end when the lights go down. The festival’s AfterDark concerts are scheduled to run from May 22-27 at various venues across the Bay Area. Artists like Norah Jones, St. Vincent, Stephen Marley, Cold War Kids, and Miike Snow are set to headline these late-night performances, many of whom will also perform during the daytime at the Napa Valley Expo during the festival.