It’s all SF-dwellers have been talking about this week. Outside Lands Festival sold its last handful of tickets (sorry, laggers) earlier this week and the time has come to spend way too many hours in direct sunlight, participate in some of the best people-watching ever (apparently music festivals are a sartorial BIG. DEAL.), and obviously, hear some awesome live music amidst a huge crowd. If you’re overwhelmed by the intensely badass lineup of bands and eats this weekend, here’s a few suggestions to narrow down the decisions. Of course headliners like Neil Young and Stevie Wonder are no-brainers, but the following acts and edibles are also unmissable.
Two Gallants (1:50 p.m., Fri. — Lands End)
What better way to start off the festivities than with some of San Francisco’s finest? Not only does the indie-folk duo hail from our own streets, but they have a much-anticipated new album coming out in early September (their first in a half-decade!) It was recorded in John Vanderslice’s Tiny Telephone studios in Potrero Hill, and word on the streets is it’s about to get real. Hopefully they’ll crank out some of their new stuff so you can judge for yourself.
David Cross (multiple sets on Fri. and Sun. — The Barbary)
I predict David Cross will be killing it with his stand-up stylings. Two words: Tobias Fünke. Would it be fair to also predict a wonky chicken impression?
Tame Impala (1:50 p.m., Sat. — Lands End)
I’m a little bit addicted to these guys’ psychedelic-yet-melodic grooves. Their debut album Innerspeaker didn’t leave my speakers for months, so the Australian dudes’ upcoming record (to be released mid-October) will probably claim the same fate. I hear their live show is hypnotic.
Nojo (A Taste of the Bay Area, all weekend)
Nojo is no joke. The Hayes Valley-based, Japanese-inspired resto is known for its fresh ingredients and subsequent quality nosh. They’ll be serving a tonkatsu sandwich and signature cucumber salad.
Father John Misty (2:55 p.m., Sat. — Panhandle)
All you really need to say is “ex-Fleet Foxes” and the indie-folk set will swarm. But former drummer J. Tillman’s new project Father John Misty probably won’t scratch that same Fleet Foxes itch. Still love him though, in all his snarky bitterness — his set will be entertaining on charisma factor alone (plus, he’s damn talented, it’s no secret.)
Sigur Rós (8:40 p.m., Sat. — Sutro)
I am 100% biased here because these Icelandic beauties are my favorite band, but let me just tell you — nowhere else at Outside Lands will you find such an explosive and inspiring hour and 15 minutes. Sigur Rós just emerged from hiatus with a new album this May (by the name of Valtari, which means ‘steamroller’ in their native tongue) and it retains all the ethereal, post-rock perfection of the band’s past 16 years. Meaning, their live set will blow your mind repeatedly.
Sigur Rós, image courtesy of Outside Lands
Jack White (5:25 p.m., Sun. — Lands End)
This one’s probably a given, but just in case you were even thinking about skipping Jack White’s set…what are you thinking? Even if you’re a White Stripes purist, we can all agree that this guy’s pretty legendary. His solo debut Blunderbuss is critically acclaimed as the damn Beatles. But if that still doesn’t convince you, at least you can expect a quality sense of humor; I just learned that he recently collaborated with Insane Clown Posse to cover a Mozart song. What?
Beer Lands and So. Much. Food.
Yeah, not a garden. A land of beer. Wine Lands. Chocolands. A gazillion restaurants and food trucks. You can count on being well-fed and boozed this weekend, that’s for sure.
Of course there’s tonsmore musicians and sets I’d like to point you to. But what’s a music festival without chaos and serendipity? Stop planning, and take it Outside.
