Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals
Bottlerock Music Festival
Napa, California
May 27, 2017

Recorded by Daspyknows

Recorded from left side of center rail appx 75 feet from stage
Schoeps MK41/NBox Platinum Tascam DR-2D 24 Bit 48K

Processed using Soundforge 11, resample, to 16bit 44.1K
TLH to convert to Flac

Master 2017.29

01. Keep It Together (So I Can Fall Apart)
02. Diamonds On The Inside
03. Fly One Time
04. How Dark Is Gone
05. Better Way
06. Morning Yearning
07. Call It What It Is
08. Amen Omen
09. Steal My Kisses
10. Burn One Down
11. With My Own Two Hands


I flew back early from my London taping adventure for Bottlerock because there were
3 artists I particularly wanted to see. I landed at 4 PM Friday, got home, checked
in with Robert from Desert Trippers on the security, organized my gear and got a few
hours of sleep. I woke up, got to Napa by 9 and found free parking near Robert's hotel
rather than paying $60 or more for nearby parking. I met Robert at 9:30, handed off my
gear since he could make my life easier by carrying it in for me and walked over to
the entrance to get my wristband and wait on line. Even though I didn't have my gear I
went through security as if I had it to "practice" and see if my method would work.
Going in they took my 2 full water bottles, allowed me to bring in the empties and would
not have found the gear. Met Robert inside, he handed off my gear and I got set up.

The first act Corey Harper started at 12, about 10 minutes after doors so the first song
starts with me walking back to my spot. I enjoyed the set and afterwards Robert came by
with food from the Platinum area. Sure helped make the day easier. Next up was James
Hersey's set. It was an enjoyable and relaxing set. I had some good people around me
and everything was pretty easy. The next act was Judah the Lion. They put on a very
energetic set. I liked some of it a lot but some of it was to hip hop for me. Overall
it was OK. Once the set concluded I packed up my things except my blanket and sweatshirt
and asked my neighbors to hold my spot. One of the 3 bands (Devil Makes Three) I came to
see was playing on another stage. I stopped to refill water bottles, drank a liter bottle
quickly to stay hydrated and hit the restrooms before I made it to the other stage. I did
not se the need to wait for food so I arrived at the stage earlier than planned and 888
was playing. The spot I wanted was available so I started recording and got what is probably
half their set. They were not the favorite act of the day but they weren't terrible. After
a break Devil Makes Three came on stage. My observation at this stage was people were there
to drink (a lot) and talk. It was mid afternoon and I counted a number of people already
passed out. I watched one guy come back with a drink, sit down and knock it over. Another
guy was telling his story how he got a ride over. I actualy heard him tell the same story
four times throughtout the DMT set as I moved to get away from him. Before I knew it he
was next to me telling the story again loud enough that it was hard to hear the music. I
finally told him to shut up. Between avoiding that guy and the guy who spent the entire
set bragging about his college exploits 30 years earlier I was surrounded by talkers. I
sensed the band felt it too since they usually are playing to a crowd there to see them.
Overall it was an interesting set and sounds good except for all the talking.

Once the set ended I did another water refill/bathroom stop on the way back to the main stage.
I also picked up some free food samples and give a thumbs up to the free Kind bars. I was
also amazed at the large number of people who were there to seemingly just socialize. I
know I got to shows and festivals for a different reason but going just to talk is not why I
go. By now the main stage area is packed and Michael Franti is putting on an energetic set
that has the crowd bouncing. I navigate through the crowd and start recording. I realize
I have passed my spot but find a space for the set. I settle in to recording and as Michael
Franti does one of his crowd runs as always. Last year at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass he was
litteraly singing into my mics. This time it was painful. I knew he was behind me somewhere
but I continued facing forward. Everyone else is looking back and all of a sudden security
pushes me out of the way from behind (15 yard clipping pentalty type of hit) and Michael
Franti goes right past me. This did a number on my back but was able to gut it out for the
rest of the set. After it ends I find my spot and luckily have the center rail to hold on to.
Robert swings by with more food before Ben Harper and I have some dinner. I was really
looking forward to the set and this had a lot to do with my plans to come back for Bottlerock.
The set did not disappoint except I wanted another hour. Alas the downside of festivals is
the short sets. The finale is Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. My last experience was the
show at the Fonda Theater shut doown by the fire marshall but this time I got a full set. It
was a solid set, great sound and a fun setlist. I enjoyed my walk back to the car listening
to the set all over again. Enjoy.
continued


Just the basic taper requests here and please no vitriol:
Don't be an ass by selling this or using it in a video that is sold
Don't modify the info file
Don't remaster and/or post on other sites that are not 100% free
If shared keep info file intact but create a second file with any changes
Don't convert to lossy formats except for personal use
Do support the artists