Ohana Festival looks to make another splash in 2022 with Stevie Nicks, Eddie Vedder, Jack White & P!nk headlining sixth edition

April 11, 2022 by 2 Comments

Ohana Festival - 2022 lineup

Ohana Festival //
Doheny State Beach – Dana Point, CA
September 30th-October 2nd, 2022 //

Are you ready to do it again, Ohana fam?

The three-day festival founded by Eddie Vedder is heading back to Doheny State Beach after hosting a two-weekend affair last year that featured a two-day “Encore” with Pearl Jam, but with the Hall of Fame rock band relaunching its postponed 2020 tour this spring and summer, it will be a different cast leading Ohana Fest’s sixth year as the calendar flips from September to October.

Stevie Nicks will kick things off on Friday with an impressive undercard of Khruangbin, Brittany Howard, The Revivalists, Gangs of Youth and St. Paul & The Broken Bones highlighting Day 1.

Meanwhile, Saturday’s main entrée of Vedder and Jack White, who put out Fear of the Dawn last week as the first of two new albums he will release this year, should have everyone rockin’ (in the free world) before the lights go out, but don’t sleep on Grammy-winning bluegrass guitarist Billy Strings listed right below the two co-headliners alongside Manchester Orchestra.

Closing things down on Sunday will be three-time Grammy winner P!nk, who will have plenty of support thanks to some highly anticipated performances from St. Vincent and Broken Social Scene that will see the latter play their 2002 album You Forgot It in People in its entirety. Other notable names on the 2022 bill include Kolohe Kai, Inhaler, Bomba Estéreo, Cautious Clay, Joy Oladokun and Kevin Morby. Check out the poster above for the rest of the artists scheduled to perform in Dana Point.

Tickets can be purchased starting this Wednesday, April 13th at 10 a.m. PT during the festival’s presale, but you must sign up here to receive a presale code if you want to join the party!

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BottleRock drops new 2021 lineup headlined by Guns N’ Roses, Stevie Nicks & Foo Fighters

May 17, 2021 by 2 Comments

BottleRock - 2021 lineup

BottleRock Napa Valley //
Napa Valley Expo – Napa, CA
September 3rd-5th, 2021 //

So much for 2020, right?

After releasing a lineup early last year that never got to play out over Memorial Day weekend due to the COVID-19 pandemic, BottleRock will return to Napa Valley this September with a refreshed roster that includes some newly announced acts as well as some that were revealed a year ago like Steve Nicks.

Joining the Fleetwood Mac singer at the top of the 2021 poster are iconic rock bands Guns N’ Roses and Foo Fighters, creating quite a trilogy of star power for the music festival’s eighth installment over Labor Day weekend.

While BottleRock has always catered to fans of rock ‘n’ roll (just look at many of the fest’s past headliners), it has also tried to offer an eclectic mix of genres and this year’s undercard that’s highlighted by Miley Cyrus, Megan Thee Stallion, G-Eazy, Run the Jewels, Brandi Carlile, Cage the Elephant, Portugal. The Man, Young the Giant, Maren Morris, Black Pumas, Future Islands, LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy (DJ set), Jimmy Eat World, FINNEAS, Polo G, Jack Harlow, Milky Chance, Jessie Reyez, Dominic Fike, Chromeo, Mavis Staples and Jon Batiste proves that to be the case once again. And don’t forget about Village People! After all, how often do you get to see the legendary disco group perform live these days? Anyway, peep the poster above for the rest of the lineup.

But amidst all of the music, the three-day event will have its annual live cooking demonstrations between a variety of celebrity chefs, musicians and athletes at its beloved Williams-Sonoma Culinary Stage that has seen appearances over the last several years by Alice Cooper, The Avett Brothers, Big Boi, Brett Dennen, Dan the Automator, E-40, Fitz and the Tantrums, Grouplove, Halsey, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Michael Franti, Questlove, Shakey Graves, Silversun Pickups, Snoop Dogg, St. Paul & the Broken Bones, Tank and the Bangas, Warren G and more, too.

Tickets go on sale this Thursday, May 20th at 10 a.m. PT here and start at $369 for a three-day GA pass while it’s $849 if you’re going for VIP. And if you’ve been saving up during quarantine, there’s always the three-day skydeck pass that will cost you a cool $1,599 or the platinum for a whopping $4,350.

BottleRock - 2021 daily lineups

UPDATE (May 24th): BottleRock has released its daily lineups for 2021, with Stevie Nicks performing Friday, Guns N’ Roses rocking Saturday and Foo Fighters closing things down on Sunday. Take a look at the daily schedules above before single-day tickets go on sale here for $187 (GA) or $211 (FLEX) plus fees each day starting this Thursday, May 27th at 10 a.m. PT.

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BottleRock Napa Valley makes more strides in 2016

June 6, 2016 by Leave a Comment

BottleRock Napa Valley 2016By Mike Rosati & Norm de Veyra //

BottleRock Napa Valley //
Napa Valley Expo – Napa, CA
May 27th-29th, 2016 //

BottleRock Napa Valley once again returned to downtown Napa over Memorial Day weekend for its fourth edition, boasting an improved fan experience and an eclectic bill of music over a three-day stretch.

Serving as this year’s headliners were Stevie Wonder, Florence & the Machine and Red Hot Chili Peppers, while other notable acts included The Lumineers, Death Cab for Cutie, Lenny Kravitz, Walk the Moon, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Ziggy Marley, Grouplove and more.

But some of the best performances of the weekend came from artists playing on the festival’s smaller stages, from Long Beach’s Cold War Kids to Welsh alt-rockers The Joy Formidable. The Suffers, a 10-piece soul band from Texas, made one of the biggest impressions on the final day of BottleRock, along with San Francisco indie-pop outfit Dangermaker and singer-songwriter Langhorne Slim.

BottleRock Napa Valley 2016 - Florence & the Machine


Florence & the Machine

Among all of the music being played, one of the highlights was undoubtedly the festival’s Williams-Sonoma Culinary Stage, which welcomed appearances by classic stoner-comedy duo Cheech & Chong (who kicked things off with a special show at The Uptown Theater in Napa the night before BottleRock) and celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay. Even “American Pie” actor Thomas Ian Nicholas joined in on the fun during a set dedicated to the 1999 film.

Showbams was on hand for all three days of BottleRock, noting an upgraded layout, more food/beverage options and better VIP accommodations than in past years. And though the festival still has room to grow, it has come a long way in a relatively short amount of time.

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BottleRock drops 2016 lineup, led by Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stevie Wonder, Florence + the Machine

January 5, 2016 by Leave a Comment

BottleRock Napa 2016 lineup

BottleRock Napa Valley //
Napa Valley Expo – Napa, CA
May 27th-29th, 2016 //

While everyone has been fixating on Monday night’s Coachella lineup announcement, which includes a reunited LCD Soundsystem and some form of Guns N’ Roses headlining the Indio festival, BottleRock Napa Valley was busy unveiling their own bill less than a day later.

The three-day festival in downtown Napa, which appeals to an older crowd than the aforementioned Coachella, announced its lineup early Tuesday and will welcome Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stevie Wonder and Florence + the Machine as headliners over Memorial Day weekend.

With more than 70 artists scheduled to perform across four stages, other noteworthy acts on this year’s lineup include The Lumineers, Death Cab for Cutie, Lenny Kravitz, Walk the Moon, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Ziggy Marley, Grouplove, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Gogol Bordello, Cold War Kids, Iration, Misterwives, Atlas Genius, Buddy Guy, Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness, The Pharcyde, The Joy Formidable, X Ambassadors, Ozomatli and Jamestown Revival.

BottleRock will also be bringing back and expanding its popular Culinary Stage that’s known for matching culinary stars up with celebrities, as last year’s festival saw Snoop Dogg teaming up with “Iron Chef” Masaharu Morimoto.

Tickets go on sale on Thursday, January 7th at 10 a.m. here and start at $269 for a three-day GA pass. VIP passes will be sold for $619, and a three-day platinum pass is as much as $3,100.

So, as you get ready for your “first taste of summer,” go back in time with our 2014 coverage.

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Showbams Photography 2013: A year in review

December 27, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Purity-Ring

Purity Ring // Marc Fong
First City Festival // 8.25.13

The power and impact of a great photo is undeniable. Striking photos take you to another place, inserting you into a spectacular moment from the past.

The photographers in the Bam Fam have produced many memorable, inspiring live music photos in 2013. Feast your eyes on 50 of our best shots from the past year.

Click a band or artist name to view the original article.

Fiona-Apple-and-Blake-Mills

Fiona Apple & Blake Mills // Sam Heller
Zellerbach Hall at UC Berkeley //10.8.13

Killer-Mike

Killer Mike // James Nagel
The Independent // 7.31.13

Crystal-Castles

Crystal Castles // Marc Fong
Fox Theater Oakland // 4.27.13

Phantogram

Phantogram // Marc Fong
Treasure Island Music Festival // 10.19.13

Warpaint

Warpaint // Marc Fong
The Independent // 9.17.13

Cut-Copy_

Cut Copy // James Nagel
Fox Theater Oakland // 11.2.13

Geographer_post

Geographer // Sterling Munksgard
Bimbo’s 365 Club // 11.23.13

Thee-Oh-Sees

Thee Oh Sees // Pedro Paredes
Great American Music Hall // 12.18.13

Grouplove

Grouplove // James Nagel
The Independent // 9.14.13

James-Blake

James Blake // Marc Fong
Treasure Island Music Festival // 10.20.13

Matthew-Dear

Matthew Dear // Mike Frash
Mezzanine // 5.22.13

Palma-Violets

Palma Violets // James Nagel
The Independent // 4.23.13

Polyphonic-Spree

Polyphonic Spree // Marc Fong
The Chapel // 8.19.13

Zedd

Zedd // Marc Fong
Fox Theater Oakland // 10.9.13

Robert-Randolph

Robert Randolph // Steve Kennedy
Notes For Notes Benefit // 12.6.13

Savages1

Savages // James Nagel
The Independent // 9.27.13

Steve-Aioki

Steve Aoki // Sterling Munksgard
Bill Graham Civic Auditorium // 11.16.13

The-Flaming-Lips

The Flaming Lips // James Nagel
Bill Graham Civic Auditorium // 10.31.13

The-xx

The xx // Marc Fong
The Greek Theatre // 6.1.13

Atoms-For-Peace

Atoms For Peace // Marc Fong
Treasure Island Music Festival // 10.19.13

Thundercat1

Thundercat // James Nagel
The Independent // 11.13.13

Trey-Anastasio-Band

Trey Anastasio Band // Sam Heller
Fox Theater Oakland // 4.20.13

Alabama-Shakes

Alabama Shakes // Marc Fong
Fox Theater Oakland // 3.5.13

AlunaGeorge

AlunaGeorge // Marc Fong
The Independent // 9.11.13

Autre-Ne-Veut

Autre Ne Veut // Mike Frash
The Independent // 3.11.13

chk-chk-chk

!!! // James Nagel
Great American Music Hall // 2.28.13

CSS

CSS // James Nagel
The Independent // 6.16.13

Danny-Brown

Danny Brown // Marc Fong
Treasure Island Music Festival // 10.19.13

Father-John-Misty

Father John Misty // Marc Fong
First City Festival // 8.24.13

HAIM

Haim // Marc Fong
Treasure Island Music Festival // 10.19.13

How-To-Dress-Well

How To Dress Well // Sam Heller
The Independent // 8.26.13

Jagwar-Ma

Jagwar Ma // James Nagel
The Independent // 12.11.13

Jamie-Lidell

Jamie Lidell // Sam Heller
The Independent // 3.29.13

Primus

Primus // Sam Heller
High Sierra Music Festival // 7.5.13

Run-The-Jewels1

Run The Jewels (El-P & Killer Mike) // James Nagel
The Independent // 7.31.13

Toro-Y-Moi

Toro Y Moi // James Nagel
Fox Theater Oakland // 11.15.13

Wild-Belle

Wild Belle // Eldon Christenson
The Independent // 9.26.13

alt-J

Alt-J // Sam Heller
Fox Theater Oakland // 8.29.13

Andrew-Bird

Andrew Bird // Sam Heller
Congregation Sherith Israel // 12.16.13

Andrew-WK

Andrew W.K. // Marc Fong
The Independent // 10.12.13

Anna-Calvi

Anna Calvi // Marc Fong
The Independent // 11.17.13

Big-Boi

Big Boi // Mike Frash
Mezzanine // 5.17.13

Deerhunter

Deerhunter // Marc Fong
First City Festival // 8.25.13

MS-MR

MS MR // James Nagel
The Independent // 6.16.13

Phoenix

Phoenix // Chaya Frash
The Independent // 4.1.13

Rogue-Wave1

Rogue Wave // Marc Fong
The Independent // 7.12.13

Sigur-Ros

Sigur Rós // Marc Fong
Fox Theater Oaklnad // 4.16.13

STS9_Post

STS9 // Sam Heller
Fox Theater Oakland // 3.1.13

Washed-Out

Washed Out // Marc Fong
First City Festival // 8.25.13

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PHOTOS: Grouplove at The Independent 9/14

September 16, 2013 by 2 Comments

GROUPLOVE_postPhotos by James Nagel // Written by Mike Frash

Hyper-hooky Grouplove returned to the Independent as headliners days before the group’s second album Spreading Rumors released September 17. A rabidly excited crowd enjoyed more than a handful of new tunes including lead single “Ways To Go”, but frontman Christian Zucconi and spandex catsuit-clad Hannah Hooper rightfully displayed the most energy in the room, even though a wedding proposal took place to begin the encore.

Grouplove’s lyrics are laboriously didactic and cheesy — but the band has established a large, dedicated audience, so much so that they garner heavy radio play and sold out this show instantly when it went on sale. Really though, what would you expect from an outfit that got mega-big by soundtracking iPod commercials with the candy-coated song “Tongue Tied”.

Plenty of people were having a great time Saturday, but Grouplove can be a tad formulaic and predictable. They read as a repetitious sugar blast of chamber pop, and nearly every song features late-era Michael Jackson doppledanger Zucconi screeching at the top of his lungs, slightly off pitch on purpose — it didn’t exactly hit ‘nails on the chalkboard’ status, but it came close.

The LA-based group is popular enough to play bigger venues than The Indy going forward, and they will. The members are happy and benevolent, and the music they create and perform live seem authentic to who they are — their smiles are genuine and they played a long, passionate show at The Independent. Grouplove really did give it their all.

They are simply too one-note and earnest, wearing heart-on-sleeve without an iota of mysteriousness. But as Hooper said, she’d “rather be a hippy than a hipster.”

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