Outside Lands, the Bay Area’s most anticipated festival, held its 16th year in the historic Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, CA. The festival had star-studded headliners Sabrina Carpenter, Post Malone, and The Killers. Acts like Victoria Monet, Chappell Roan, Grace Jones, Ryan Beatty, and Chance Pena captivated audiences.
Day one was an exciting day with beloved acts The Last Dinner Party, Young the Giant, the Japanese House, Renee Rapp, and Kevin Abstract. I look forward to seeing Kevin Abstract again as he opens for Omar Apollo at the Greek Theater in Berkeley, CA. The Killers were the perfect way to end the night. Playing their hits from the last two decades, the Las Vegas band created an uplifting start to the rest of the weekend.
Many of my favorite acts played on day 2. Starting the day with DARUMAS who sounded as amazing as their recordings. Those there to see them perform enjoyed every second of their set, most even cheered for an encore. I stopped by the Dolores stage shortly after to catch Baloney’s set. San Francisco gay all-male revue had a charming performance comprised of “Never Have I Ever” (strip version), a metro-themed choreographed number, and some special guests from Hex, winners of 48hills’ Best of the Bay 2023 burlesque award.
I walked over to Twin Peaks to check out Australian darlings Amyl and the Sniffers. The GA section moshed to their set as VIP and the Golden Gate Club screamed along to their songs. We sped walked across the park to listen to ScHoolboy Q’s performance. Playing hits like “Collard Greens” and “THat Part” while also mixing in a few tracks longtime fans know and love made this a great set for a wide range of listeners.
Grace Jones was the act of the day. This beloved icon dazzled the stage with her prowess. Changing outfits after each song, hula-hooping, and being elevated above the stage were just some of the wonderful elements of this show. It was an honor finally seeing her live.
Sabrina Carpenter was the last act of the day. In her first major headlining set, she pulled all the strings to make this a memorable performance. The 60s aesthetic of her performance fits perfectly with her current sound. Midway through, the artist brought out Kacey Musgraves to help her cover “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’”. Visually, Sabrina Carpenter’s set was stunning. Vocally, some aspects were left to be desired. She seemed nervous and understandably so. Since seeing her for the first time in 2022 she has grown remarkably. As one of this summer’s top artists, I look forward to seeing what this upcoming album has in store.
Day three was a discovery day. Cimafunk and Wips were artists I had not heard of before but thoroughly enjoyed their performances. Chance Peña was a folk lover’s dream come true. Performing on the Panhandle stage, his strong voice and carefully crafted lyricism left me in awe. I was excited to finally listen to this artist live after recently getting into his discography. He was the perfect transition to Teddy Swims’ set on the main stage. His rough tone filled the festival grounds and allured a crowd of both new and old fans.
My favorite act of the weekend was Victoria Monet. There’s a reason why this artist is a 3-time GRAMMY winner. The stage got wet as the Karl the fog rolled in slightly hindering how hard she and her dancers could go with their performance. Despite that, they put on a show that left me lost for words. It was provocative, powerful, and bewitching. It’s everything you wanted in a festival set.
Another memorable act of the day was, of course, Chappell Roan. The Midwest Princess brought in the largest crowd at Outside Lands. Fans adorned in their “Pink Pony Club” attire speckled the festival grounds in sparkling pink. Everyone, except the VIP section, did the “HOT TO GO!” dance along with the artist. What made this set so special was that it was the one-year anniversary of this famous song. She came out to the stage in the same leotard she wore in the music video.
Outside Lands has a wide variety of genres showcased in one three-day festival. Those into electronic music will love the SOMA stage while indie pop/folk lovers will gravitate towards Panhandle. I found myself bouncing from stage to stage trying to take in as much music as I could.
It was nice walking around the outskirts to find women dressed as forest fairies lifting bubble wands in the air for people of all ages to pop. A Grand Artique store sat behind them filled with vintage wonders. Down the dirt path was City Hall’s set-up. As I walked by, I witnessed a wedding with two grooms dressed in beautiful floral robes. This area was the most tranquil part of the festival and a great place to escape when things felt overwhelming.
It’s no wonder why Outside Lands sells out every year. There’s something for everyone on these grounds. The variety of food options, Grasslands, and Winelands are options for those taking a break from the festivities. I love Flowerlands and the ability to make a mini bouquet to wear. We hope you give Outside Lands 2025 a chance if you weren’t able to attend this past weekend.
