GT’s guide to San Francisco’s colossal music festival
Outside Lands kicks off Aug. 10-12 in Golden Gate Park with a slew of chart-topping and underground musical acts performing on several stages. And, if you’re anything like us, you’re struggling to pick and choose which bands to see. In our humble opinion, these artists are unmissable:
FRIDAY::::
Beck 4:30-5:40 p.m., Lands End Stage The four-time platinum anti-folk artist has made a name for himself by weaving social criticism and musical experimentation.
Foo Fighters 6:10-7:25 p.m., Lands End Stage Since 1995, the Foo Fighters have been rocking the free world with driving guitar and catchy pop hooks, under the leadership of former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse 8:10-9:55 p.m., Lands End Stage Considering the band just released its first album together since 2003—a nostalgic compilation of American folk songs, called Americana—you can expect to hear classics and maybe some unheard tracks off Young’s next LP at this set.
Justice 8:40-9:55 p.m., Twin Peaks Stage While Justice’s second album, Audio, Video, Disco, strays from the Parisian duo’s dance music roots to the outer fringes of pop, prepare for heart-thumping electronic anthems and a whole lot of sweating.
SATURDAY::::
Sean Hayes 1:15-2 p.m., Sutro Stage The soulful folk singer will release his seventh full-length, Before We Turn to Dust…, in September, so expect to hear some new material.
Norah Jones 6:40-7:50 p.m., Sutro Stage The famed songbird has spread her wings since jazz-pop hit Come Away With Me. Her newest collaboration with Danger Mouse, Little Broken Hearts, is both dark and brooding.
Passion Pit 6:50-7:50 p.m., Twin Peaks Stage In just three years, Passion Pit has grown from a college kid’s laptop project to an international electropop sensation.
Metallica 7:55-9:55 p.m., Lands End Stage These Rock and Roll Hall of Famers are one of the most influential and commercially successful rock bands in history.
SUNDAY::::
Regina Spektor 4-4:55 p.m., Lands End Stage In just over a decade, Regina Spektor went from performing in the NYC café circuit to travelling the world in support of her anti-folk/pop. Hear songs from her eclectic new album, What We Saw from the Cheap Seats.
Jack White 5:25-6:35 p.m., Lands End Stage Ranked No. 70 on Rolling Stone’s list of “The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time,” Jack White is one of the most prolific and renowned artists of the last 15 years.
Stevie Wonder 7:20-9:30 p.m., Lands End Stage One of the most celebrated and prominent figures in popular music, Stevie Wonder has amassed 49 Top 40 singles and 32 No. 1 singles.
Skrillex 8:30-9:30 p.m., Twin Peaks Stage Known for high-octane live shows that combine LED lights, cryogenics, fire, and a storm of electronic music, Skrillex is a must-see.
Tickets to Outside Lands are sold out. For more details about the festival, including the complete line-up, visit sfoutsidelands.com.
Photo by Shervin Lainez: Anti-folk star Regina Spektor is one of many artists set to rock Outside Lands this year.
