The musical history of Golden Gate Park cannot be denied. Ever since the days of the countercultural movement and the “Summer of Love” during the 60s, Golden Gate Park has been the home of many innovative artists. Outside Lands has carried that torch or the course of the last 18 years, and this year was no exception. One thing that was evident this year was the energy that both the audience and artist brought to the festival. Where there was the raucous hardcore punk-rock energy from the likes of Turnstile, Geese, Die Spitz or Bad Nerves, or the joyous dancing and carefree emotion from Empire of the Sun, Rufus Du Sol or Discolines, there was a sense of the artists feeding off the energy from the SF crowd and vice versa.
While it was given that Charli xcx would deliver a standout set as she’s had during other festival appearances, it was her surprise performance with The Strokes that caught people off guard on Saturday. During many festival appearances, lead singer Julian Casablancas has made reference to other artists on the bill, so when he spoke about Charli xcx and how successful her career has been, no one expected her to show up on stage to perform “Take it or Leave It”. In fact, Charli was also seen during during Djo’s set as well, albeit via video before he performed “Charlie’s Garden”.
On the flipside of all the high energy sets, were performances that were more appropriate to chill and soak in by Ethel Cain, millennial favorites, The xx, Death Cab For Cutie (who played two sets!), and Infinity Song, the latter who were very impressive with their harmonies and stage presence. Not for Radio was ethereal as lead singer María Zardoya sang and fluttered her way around the Sutro stage, surrounded by the large trees and slight fog hanging over the stage.
There were many new artists that not only made their Outside Lands debut, but made quite an impression with many fans. Newly signed to RCA Records, Frost Children had one of the wildest sets on the Panhandle stage. Bringing their unique brand of hyperpop to the festival, the siblings of Angel and Lulu Prost have a stage presence that is undeniable and infectious. UK punk band Bad Nerves kicked off the festival on Friday with the energy and confidence of a seasoned band, which makes the endorsement from Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong that much more stronger. Magnus Ferrell, son of comedian Will Ferrell, was enthralling on the Twin Peaks stage on Sunday. Backed by a full band, Ferrell was charismatic and smooth as he brought his own flare of jazzy tunes to the festival. The same can be said for this year’s breakout artist Sienna Spiro, who performed to a huge crowd on the Sutro stage. Other artists who are primed to return for later sets include Night Tapes, who had the Panhandle stage crowd swaying and dancing, as well as Haute & Freddy, whose set was complete with circus, theater and 80s-infused dance-ready tunes. Finally, the duo of Rio Kosta, comprised of Mike Del Rio (Powers) and Kosta Galanopoulos, were the perfect fit to kick off Saturday on the Sutro stage, as their groovy 70s-inspired vibes were fun and filled with catchy melodies.
A theme from many amongst the crowd on the ground and online was the mantra “rich in life”. Taking place at the beginning of August, right before the start of the upcoming school year, and the beginning of the end of summer, many attendees treat Outside Lands as a final summer hurrah and go all out. With so many groups of friends, families and music fans throughout the festival seen dancing, hugging and vibing it was evident that Outside Lands achieved its goal of bringing people of all walks of life together. Rich in life indeed.
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