The long-awaited August weekend had arrived and I was ready to embark on another foot-aching, mildly chaotic, three day adventure in Golden Gate Park. As a San Francisco native, Outside Lands has slowly crept its way into becoming an annual event for my sister and I. While I don’t consider myself a frequent festival-goer, Outside Lands is the one time of year I permit myself a bit of indulgence, using the festival as a thin excuse to spend way too much money and exhaust our bodies all in the name of live music! Here are some of my thoughts, trials, tribulations, and highlights.
We eased into Day One by watching Real Estate’s set on the main stage. Their surf-rock sound was the perfect entrance into what would be a memorable weekend. Next, we migrated to the Sutro stage to watch a bit of Daði Freyr, an awkwardly charming Icelandic man who brought a unique energy to the stage. We then watched The Last Dinner Party back on the main stage. I was roped in by their renaissance vibe and enthusiasm. I caught a few minutes of Shaboozey simply to put a face to the name. I still have no idea who Shaboozey is but I’m starting to love the mystery of it. Young the Giant were up next and I felt shameful that I could not recognize the majority of their songs. Although the music did not stick with me, I enjoyed their passion and random cover of “Espresso”.
The night was winding down and we only had two sets left on our docket, the second to last being Jungle. They had one or two fun songs, but the rest felt too commercial for my taste. Still, the crowd was loving it. We ended the night with The Killers, a perfectly nostalgic and enjoyable end to the night. The crowd was excitingly receptive and the energy was up, leaving us on a high note as we all stumbled out of the park, doing our best not to slip in the mud.
Day Two started off at the Twin Peaks stage watching Ryan Beatty’s short but sweet set. His folk-pop sound was reminiscent of Faye Webster and his soft vocals smoothed over the park. Next, we watched Australian punk icons Amyl and The Sniffers take the stage, one of my most anticipated acts of the festival. Amy Taylor’s stage presence was electric and grimey in the best way, shaking the grounds of Golden Gate Park so strongly the sun came out for the first time all weekend. It was a luminous performance. Although it was hard to top that set, STRFKR did an excellent job of bringing an eclectic energy to the stage, with dancing astronauts and inflatable dolls surfing the crowd.
Finally, we watched summer pop sensation Sabrina Carpenter take the main stage for her first ever headlining set. It was everything you could ask for from a pop artist: vibrant visuals, intricate choreography, and special guest Kacey Musgraves! We were obviously ecstatic to hear the hits. I had high hopes, and she did not disappoint, ending the day with a performance that left us humming her music all the way home.
Day Three was musically my favorite day. We started the day off strong watching Chappell Roan’s highly anticipated performance. The crowd was abundant, filled with fans sporting pink cowboy hats and camouflage attire, fully embracing her “Midwest Princess” aesthetic. Despite not being a headliner, it was clear that Sunday was her day. As soon as she began her hit “HOT TO GO!”, audience hands shot up immediately, spelling the words “H-O-T T-O G-O” with their arms. It was impressively synchronized. Her vocals were just as impressive, as well as, her liveliness and stamina. This set was undoubtedly a highlight.
A few journeys later, we headed over to TV Girl at Sutro. I’ve been hooked on TV Girl since high school, so I was incredibly excited to see them live for the first time. Brad Petering brought an unserious and quirky energy to the stage, vape in hand as he playfully bounced around (although many did not enjoy his unconventional antics). The set was a nostalgic trip for me and one of my favorites of the weekend.
To conclude the weekend, we remained at Sutro to watch shoegaze pioneers Slowdive take the stage. After an exhausting but exhilarating three days, this set was exactly what I needed to unwind. I could go on and on about how amazing this performance was. The atmosphere was magical: the misty night air complemented the mesmerizing visuals beautifully, and the crowd seemed to drift in perfect harmony with the sound. And speaking of sound, it was PERFECT. It was somehow even more captivating live than on their recordings. It was an electrifying and surreal performance, undoubtedly my favorite of the festival.
As the different crowds began to intersect as I walked out of the park, either coming from Slowdive, Kaytranada, or Sturgil Simpson, I reflected on the genre-defying nature of the festival, blending various musical worlds into one experience. Despite my stubbornly fixed music taste, I found myself enjoying the different array of artists all weekend, even if many did not align with my typical preferences.
Outside Lands is special because it feels like a celebration of the San Francisco culture, community, and charm that make this city so unique. I left the festival with a beautiful reminder of why I love this city, and an eagerness for next year’s adventure. I ♡ U Outside Lands!
Review by Laila Karkori
Photos by Nadine Ordaz
