Sun God Music Festival 2013 -- A Review

Last weekend, my wife and I attended the first Bottle Rock music festival in Napa -- here is my review.

Yesterday, I attended the Sun God music festival, which is held on the campus of the University of California, San Diego, each year.  Sounds relatively small, right?

Wrong.  Sun God is 20,000 -- outdoors -- amidst the beauty of San Diego.

Sun God has become a mini-Coachella.  It's that good.  The grounds are grassy and beautiful (like Coachella, and unlike Bottle Rock). The production is first-class all the way (like Coachella and Bottle Rock).  Over the years, Sun God has dialed it all in (the layout, the logistics).  And, the line-up is relatively strong for a festival that is essentially fully funded by the UCSD students themselves (via their annual student services fees).  Essentially, 3 stages -- one main stage for the bands (including one of my favorites for the day, Youngblood Hawke out of LA -- pictured here); a second stage for EDM, which has taken over the world (and is beginning to out-draw the main rock and roll stage at Sun God); and a "tent" venue that features various dance troups and other performances.

Sun God sits on a perfect venue for live music.  This has become an annual rite of passage for UCSD students -- and it was fun just to experience all of these kids meandering all around and getting a taste of a real festival experience.

But, do they really appreciate how unique it is for them?

Bottle Rock Uncorked -- A Review of the New Music Festival

This weekend marks the inaugural Bottle Rock Music Festival in Napa -- 5 days of music in the wine country.  Long-time readers know that I am a music festival junkie.  This is my latest adventure -- and I write this Saturday morning as my wife and I prepare for today's festivities.

The verdict?

Bottle Rock delivers where it matters most.  The music.  Unlike Coachella -- which I recently experienced yet again and which was dominated by electronic dance music (EDM) -- Bottle Rock is down and dirty, pure, simple rock and roll.  The line-up is impressive.

Friday night's headliner was The Black Keys -- an unbelievably powerful onslaught of crunchy, bluesy guitar, punctuated by frantic drum beats.  I've seen the Keys before (at Outside Lands a couple years back and at Coachella one year ago), but not like this.  They have earned their stripes as headliners.  And, they are the real deal. THIS is rock and roll.  The Shins -- a favorite of mine -- warmed up the main stage before.  Sounded much better than when I saw them both at Coachella and Outside Lands a few years back.  Vocals stronger.  The band tighter.  But, still, the band pales in comparison to the Keys.  The Keys ARE rock and roll right now (which was proven again Saturday night by the anemic set put in by headliner Kings of Leon).  Edward Sharpe, on the other hand, was magnetic, despite the apparent flu (or being significantly under the influence).  That seemingly 50-piece band is good time flower-child rock and roll.  Perfect for the Napa setting.

The night before?  A band that is very very different.  The Avett Brothers.  Countrified folk and pop -- all fused together -- in a mix of beautiful melodies and meaningful lyrics.  These guys too are the real deal.  The crowd was taken away, me included.  A memorable set.

3 music stages at Bottle Rock -- with music running from noon at 10:30 every night.  When my wife and I first arrived Thursday early afternoon, crowds were thin.  Thought this first-time music festival could be a bust (for the promoters, that is).  But, it isn't.  Crowds were massive yesterday -- and no doubt will be the same today.  The promoters will be just fine.  As they should be.  They have delivered a great world-class festival.  No major hiccups -- which is saying a lot when there is no precedent.  Excellent food choices.  Enough bathrooms.

Despite some kinks (ticket snafus at the gates, a somewhat-pathetic VIP area -- c'mon guys invest in it!) -- and despite a somewhat dumpy venue that I did not expect in the heart of wine country (this is no grassy Coachella polo field) -- Bottle Rock works.  Bottle Rock delivers.  Bottle Rock undoubtedly will be back next year.  Bottle Rock likely is a music festival that is here to stay -- deservedly so.  Wine tasting by day.  Music by night.

And, the weather wants Bottle Rock to succeed as well.  Gorgeous weather in Napa this weekend.  In the 80s in the day.  All sun, all the time.

Enough writing.  I have some music to hear ...

First Coachella, Next Bottle Rock in Napa

I am an ardent music fan, as regular readers of my blog know.  And, I love the live festival experience -- and attend major music festivals frequently.  Here is my review of the inaugural SS Coachella, on which I sailed in December with my wife Luisa.

Just recently, I purchased my tickets for my 4th near-consecutive Coachella in April.  And, just last week, I learned about a major music festival called "Bottle Rock" in Napa on May 9-12th.  The line-up is incredible for this 4-day festival (here it is).  As soon as some friends invited me, they had me at "hello"-- and, my wife and I will be there.

Likely a new annual tradition, together with Coachella, SS Coachella, Outside Lands and myriad "regular" music concerts on a monthly basis (like the MUSE show in January in San Diego -- which opened with this song).