NAPA — Taking an informal poll of the 40,000-some attending the opening day of BottleRock Napa Valley on Friday, it was pretty clear who most were there to see. Heavy metal heroes Metallica were easily the draw of the day. There were all kinds of fans, from the diehards who catch every performance to the newbies seeing the band for the first time.

What began as a cloudy and blustery day quickly cleared almost on cue as the gates opened and fans rushed to get the prime territory in front of the main stage. BottleRock has been the opening of the Bay Area’s festival season for nearly a decade, and Friday felt no different. The festival was like a worn-in pair of shoes. The lineup was also heavy on what makes BottleRock unique: An eclectic mix of artists sharing the bill.

For a band more than four decades into its career, it’s difficult to still celebrate firsts. But Metallica managed to do just that, playing BottleRock for the first time. 

Knowing the crowd might take a little push (with something besides the wine), Metallica brought out its biggest, best-known and most singable songs first—and didn’t let up during its roughly two-hour set. The show was geared toward casual fans. The band was loose and in good spirits.

“Everyone having a good time so far?” frontman James Hetfield quipped coyly. “Well, not for long!”

Hetfield was talkative throughout the night, keeping things light with the audience between the doses of metal muscle. The band opened with the punishing “Hardwired,” before launching into “The Memory Remains” and “Wherever I May Roam.” The initial couple of songs made for an interesting feeling-out process between the band and the audience. Metallica even pulled out infrequent show closer “Seek and Destroy” early on. Hetfield went on to tell the story of a woman who recently gave birth at a Metallica show in South America.

“If anyone needs to do that, we have the Metallica maternity tent off the left,” he joked. “We have a changing table, baby clothes and everything.”

Hetfield remains a force as a rock frontman, and his voice was razor-sharp on friday. Despite his own admission at a recent show about his mental health struggles, his abilities are clearly very strong. Metallica brought out the pyrotechnics for “Fuel,” with columns of fire shooting up behind the band into every chorus. 

Hetfield then took a moment to get more serious.

“Metallica is extremely grateful to be here after 41 years celebrating life and music from our hearts,” he said. “And we’re glad you’re still wanting to hear it.”

But it wasn’t long before the snarky humor returned.

“Everyone drunk and sunburned yet?” Hetfield asked. “You’ve got two more days for that.”

It wasn’t just the Napa crowd taking in the Bay Area icons’ set. Sunday headliner P!nk was spotted rocking out in the front row of boxes, head-banging along with Metallica.

The pyro was back for the dramatic artillery intro to “One,” and the band returned for the classic track. Metallica followed up with Garage Inc. cover “Whiskey In the Jar,” before following up with fist-pumpers “For Whom the Bell Tolls” and “Creeping Death.”

“You want a pick?” Hetfield asked a young fan toward the front. “Hey, they only give us so many of these things.”

The band closed out the night with a barrage of hits like “Master of Puppets,” “Nothing Else Matters” and “Enter Sandman.”

Greta Van Fleet

The JaM Cellars stage was all about rock and roll on Friday night, with Michigan wunderkinds Greta Van Fleet as the direct support to the mighty Metallica. It was a fitting pairing, with the band digging heavily into the glammiest of rock from yesteryear. Vocalist Josh Kiszka took the stage in a vibrant gold lamé bodysuit, strutting around like it was Live Aid all over again. The performance was all about musicianship, from guitarist Jake Kiszka’s blazing guitar work, drummer Danny Wagner’s driving backbeat and Josh Kiszka’s vocal range reaching the stratosphere. The performance was flashy, boisterous and pure rock.

“I’d like to thank the wine for tonight’s performance,” Kiszka said before rolling into the bluesy stomp of “Weight of Dreams.”

The stage was draped in white sheets, with large arrays of lights to each side. This added a visual depth to the production. Greta Van Fleet’s sound combined flashes of Queen, Journey, David Bowie and The Doors. While the songs weren’t necessarily original-sounding—Greta Van Fleet draws heavily from its influences—that was beside the point. The band put its own spin on the sound and electrified the BottleRock crowd. Near the end of the set, Kiszka obliged fans by tossing his tambourine and other souvenirs into the first few rows.

Kygo

Norwegian house DJ and producer Kygo served as the counter-programming to Metallica to end the first day at BottleRock Napa. The performance came with a full production of lasers and light show to match the euphoric music. Kygo’s music was a perfect balance of chilled and energetic. One of the highlight of his set, which he performed from a tall platform high above the stage floor, came when he spun Marvin Gaye’s “Sexual Healing.”

SAINt JHN

Brooklyn rapper Carlos St. John Phillips, known better as SAINt JHN, was the most prominent hip-hop act of the evening, going it alone for his roughly 50-minute midday set. SAINt JHN looked to charge up the crowd and inject some life as the sun began to set.

“COVID’s had us all cooped up for too long,” Saint John said, challenging the people watching him to react every time the bass dropped—to which they obliged. 

SAINt JHN attacked the stage, moving from side to side before occasionally moving to the middle to deliver a verse. Ripping through tracks like “94 Bentley” and “High School Reunion,” he kept the focus on the music, without a hype man or band on stage. Donning a baseball jersey with the name plate “Not a Cult,” he kept up the quick pace and high energy. He closed on a more somber note, however, as he lead people in bowing their heads and saying a prayer for better days.

Djo

Those who caught psych-rock band Djo at the Truly stage Saturday afternoon and are fans of Netflix show “Stranger Things” likely recognized a face among the band. Actor Joe Keery (Djo, get it?) plays bouffant-haired, high school jock Steve Harrington. The former member of Post Animal has his own project going now, and had time to make an album between seasons of the TV show. Twenty Twenty, which Keery released a month ago, is stuffed full of psychedelic rock tunes.

Djo’s set was delayed by 40 minutes because of audio difficulties. Keery kept the fans from leaving by chatting with them as crews figured out the issue. He even took selfies with a couple fans in the crowd.

With five minutes left in its original time slot, Djo was finally given the go-ahead to play, kicking off with the funky “Roddy” and “Cheateu,” which had a warped bass line.

 

Diamante Eléctrico

Colombian rock band Diamante Eléctrico brought a decidedly Latin fair to the festival’s Allianz stage. The band’s material is mostly in Spanish, but the group taps into universal rock and roll influences. Bassist and vocalist Juan Galeano was clearly excited to be in wine country. He was often difficult for a non-native Spanish speaker to interpret, but you didn’t need to understand everything when he introduced the band as being from Colombia before proudly proclaiming, “We’re here in Napa Valley, holy shit!”

Diamante Eléctrico was locked in throughout its set, mixing elements of funk, soul and even a little bit of ska—all through the lens of Colombia. Guitarist Daniel Alvarez’ solos were smooth and slick, adding texture to the band’s raw sound. It was yet another example of the diversity that BottleRock offers, even just within the rock genre.

Madame Gandhi

Boston vocalist, drummer and producer Madame Gandhi provided one of the early surprises of the day, playing a set that was dynamic, compelling and captivating. It started slowly but quickly picked up steam.

“We don’t get time to soundcheck at these big festivals, so will you do one with me?” asked Madame Gandhi, whose real name is Kiran Gandhi. She then proceeded to play her array of percussive instruments on stage, to the approval of the crowd. It was tough to pin down Gandhi as an artist: She rapped, sang, banged out percussion and hopped behind the drums.

“When I listen to music, I find myself loving the beats, and the production, and the music,” Gandhi said. “But lyrically, there’s just so much casual misogyny.”

That’s when she launched into her uplifting “turn-up” jam “Top Knot Turn Up,” bringing the crowd to life instantly.

“I don’t want to have to turn to the sound of my own oppression [at the gym],” she said as an explanation for writing the song.

Gandhi’s band was just as impressive, with horns, a DJ, drummer and another percussionist. The band fused hip-hop, pop and reggae with an uplifting and empowering message.

Fantastic Negrito

Dorothy

L.A. rockers Dorothy kicked off the fest on the JaM Cellars stage. The band, led by Dorothy Martin, didn’t disappoint, bringing a classic ’80s rock sound. The band’s energy matched the likes of The Struts and Halestorm. The driving vocals of the singer were backed by the high-tempo rhythm section. Martin took to the stage channeling Stevie Nicks, wearing black pleather pants and jacket, with black lace shirt. Her stage presence and dancing were fluid, with graceful backbends.

The band Dorothy played songs from each of their albums, including just-released LP Gifts From The Holy Ghost, such as “Flawless” and “Made to Die” along with others. She opened with “Down to the Bottom” as the early day’s fog parted and the heat began to push away the cool morning breeze. Martin said that she had recently ended a relationship and dedicated “Rest in Pease” to others who “got dumped” in the last month.