With so many opportunities to listen to, be present for, and experience live music here in the Napa Valley I had been REALLY missing it by the time summer came last year in 2020. My husband and I went down to Capitola in July and as we walked back to the car, we heard a guy with a guitar playing and singing Otis Redding’s “Sittin’ On the Dock of the Bay” by a local wine bar on the main strip. I dropped my beach bag, he reached for some tip money, and we soaked it in for 3 more songs….and then there was a really long live music drought in my life. Occasionally I was able to catch some here and there, but it was mostly back to livestream concerts for me like everyone else.
Then this most recent summer of 2021 brought the return of downtown’s Napa City Nights and the music hasn’t let up since. In fact, I was thinking about it recently, and despite not being completely out of the proverbial Covid woods yet, I don’t know if I can remember a time in my life with SO much live music SO frequently.
The first Napa City Nights found me in awe at the vision of my community coming back together after so many months apart. We all sat in our chairs or on our blankets or dancing it out while taking it all in. Even the bands playing seemed genuinely thrilled to be back at it again and even took selfies with the crowd. Between the river view, the sunsets, the music, and the camaraderie, it was my perfect way to spend a Friday evening and I think I returned to all but 1 or 2 (when I was out of town). The fact that our downtown association and city supports this event is truly a gift.
One of my weeks away involved a trip to Southern California to visit colleges and family. While there we took in the Orange County Fair that involved a spot-on cover band called “Green (To)Day”. Total blast.
Upon our return, the Oxbow River Stage season was set to start. It was absent last year and I only made it to a couple shows the year before, but I was excited nonetheless. If you haven’t seen a show there, I would highly recommend it. They have cleverly taken our flood control project space by the river oxbow and made it a park during non-flooding times (by the way, it’s a super cool place to picnic – with the Oxbow Market close by and concrete areas for kids to bike, scooter, etc.). Well, it’s also become a place for legit concerts. The way they have utilized a beautiful, made-to-be-functional, space into a stunning, professional place to take in a concert, is nothing short of amazing. Sitting on a blanket in the late afternoon sun, I was able to have my soul soothed by Matt Nathanson and Brett Dennen. Dancing with myself (and the rest of the audience), I rocked out to Billy Idol, and sitting in temporary seats I was captivated by the folk music that played in the home of my youth (& still, I suppose) by both Jackson Browne and John Fogerty. The sound quality has been phenomenal, the artists have been top notch, the setting is convenient to downtown – and gorgeous to boot.
2019 had me purchasing tickets to see the “Hella Mega Tour” in 2020. It was to be headlined by Green Day, along with Weezer and Fall Out Boy. It was postponed for obvious reasons, and took place in late August at Oracle Park out in center field. We hadn’t quite made it to a Giants game yet, but there we were singing along to a long-awaited show. Great night and lead up to BottleRock weekend (which I wrote about in last month’s blog).
Golf was back at the Silverado Resort with the arrival of the Fortinet Championship. I hear it was great, but being a non-golfer I’m always far more interested in the concerts afterwards. We caught country star, Chase Rice and alt rock/pop punk group Weezer on Thursday and Saturday of that week. Both were great shows, but the amusing part for me is always the mix of the crowd between the music fans and the golfers. For example, the Chase Rice show was a blend of Wranglers/cowboy hats/plaid flannels and Titleist ball caps and sweater vests. But that’s what music does – brings us together no matter why we’re there.
This past Saturday, the “Brews, Blues, and Barbeque” festival was back and lined the streets of downtown Napa. I only spent a couple hours there, at most, and caught 3 different bands and caught up with friends I hadn’t seen in far too long. So happy to see that one back! Coming up, I have a trip to see Billy Idol in Las Vegas that was planned before we even heard he’d be playing here in town (oh well 😉) and I have my eye on some shows at the Uptown that is back up and running.
Until then, I just want to send out a big thank you to all those who have played a part in bringing live performances back into our lives. I realize that in the grand scheme of things lost due to the pandemic it might seem minor in light of the lives lost…but is one of those things that can make us FEEL most alive and connected to each other. So happy to see you all back, too. Save me a dance!