BottleRock 2026 has concluded with a range of amazing performances across seven stages and three days. Sunday’s artists varied from established to emerging, but presented us with magic nonetheless. Here are the best and worst of the Sunday BottleRock sets.
Girl Tones – 2/5
“We’re just here to have fun” was the repeated mantra of Girl Tones’s set. Sister duo Kenzie and Laila Crowe brought a punk rock feel and full energy to their mid-day set. Hailing from Kentucky, the group has begun establishing itself in the music scene as a White Stripes-like and high-energy band. However, the imperfect and messy vibe they claim to aim for limited the organization of the set and it could be said that they lacked cohesiveness.
DJ Umami – 3/5
Adding flavor to the culinary stage was Leanna Cruz, also known by her stage name as DJ Umami. The set was packed with eager festival-goers and waving hands immersed in beats that seamlessly flowed from song to song. Cruz also held down the music later for the headlining Williams Sonoma stage chefs during their sets.
Izzy Escobar – 4/5
Floating across the T-Mobile stage in the afternoon was Izzy Escobar. Escobar is a rising star in the music industry with her song “Evergreen Avenue” in the Devil Wears Prada 2 movie. As sequins glinted in the stagelight, Escobar belted lines of her crowd favorite “Hate to Be the One” with a vibrato comparable to Amy Winehouse. All around, her set was packed with hit after hit and a playful energy.
Kool & The Gang – 3/5
This blast from the past brought the 80’s to Napa Valley, and they did it in style. The fun, soulful and jazzy sound drew crowds of all ages. From a nearly five-minute rendition of “Hollywood” to the famous “Get Down on
It”, the band put the fun in funky. The band finished off with “Celebrate” from their hit album “Celebration!”, which sent a wave of nostalgia through everyone over 45 and a Google search for “that one TikTok sound” through everyone born after the iPhone.
Mt. Joy – 4/5
This indie-rock band found the “Silver Lining” when they jammed out to “I Know You Rider” by the Grateful Dead. Mt. Joy left a few people misty-eyed for “Strangers.” Their live performances were full of passion and gusto. However, the set went a little longer than anticipated, causing havoc for the next artist’s schedules.
Sombr – 4.5/5
Sporting a black leather jacket, red corduroy pants and dark “guyliner,” Sombr gave his full attitude to the audience. His hit song “perfume” helped Sombr go mainstream, and although repeatedly stating how hot it was, Sombr didn’t want to get “undressed.” As a headliner, Sombr definitely delivered and gave the sass both needed and expected.
Backstreet Boys – 4.5/5
Backstreet’s definitely back. After finishing their Las Vegas residency at the sphere, the group graced the Prudential stage and sent millennials everywhere out of their minds. Seeming “Larger Than Life,” the Backstreet Boys gave synchronized choreography and tight harmonies that would never let you know that most of them are over 40. Being the closing act of the night, the Backstreet Boys delivered what “Everybody” wanted.
