Outside Lands Leans Country in 16th Year Anniversary Lineup
Fans pose in front of the Outside Lands sign.
Written and shot by Mary Perez
Graphic by Rebekah Witt
San Francisco’s premier music festival, Outside Lands, returned this August for its 16th year, complete with a star-studded lineup and exciting activities to fill the time and make the festival even more special. Upon unveiling the exciting “Sweet 16” roster, the festival also announced some local vendors, including about 100 restaurants serving their specialties around the park, as well as the return of Grass Lands, a space for legal sale and consumption of cannabis on festival grounds.
Since I was in attendance last year for Kinda Cool, I already had an idea of what to expect from the festival. Presented on an 80-acre space in Golden Gate Park, fans of all ages are invited to enjoy music, art, and culture across the various spaces. Even while walking through the festival grounds, you could see graffiti artists creating special pieces, organizations promoting their missions, vendors showcasing their goods, and stands selling exclusive OSL merchandise. It is a celebration of San Francisco’s diversity and culture at its very best.
Dance party in the Dolores tent.
Day 1
The first day of OSL already promised a stacked lineup for fans of all genres. Featuring The Killers, Daniel Caesar, and Gryffin as the headliners, I was ready for another weekend of running between stages. To start my day, I caught The Last Dinner Party, the eclectic indie rock act from London. Their set included standout tracks from their debut record, Prelude to Ecstasy, such as “Caesar on a TV Screen” and “The Feminine Urge.” Spinning around the stage and dancing to the band’s elegantly compelling songs, lead vocalist Abigail Morris led the crowd in singing along to their final track of the day, “Nothing Matters.” Their theatrical set had many festivalgoers hooked, watching and even joining in.
Fans relax and grab a bite between sets.
After The Last Dinner Party, I stopped by the Media tent to check out the day’s alcohol activation. Showcasing their 2055 Center Street Pale Ale, Olfactory Brewing Co. were in the tent, speaking about their latest drink. Located in San Francisco themselves, the local brewery’s newest ale was a tasty treat and perfect for a midday pick-me-up. After finishing my drink, I headed back to the Lands End stage to see Amber Bain, best known as The Japanese House. The indie pop musician performed a laidback set, comprised of songs spanning her whole discography, including tracks from her latest album, In the End It Always Does. Opening with “Sad to Breathe,” she picked up the tempo with “Boyhood” before slowing it down again with “Over There.” I previously saw The Japanese House perform in San Francisco back in November, and their set was stunning, so I was happy to see them appear on this lineup, especially after the release of “:),” their newest song. Concluding the set with “Sunshine Baby,” the crowd sang along to the 2023 single, waving their arms to the catchy tune.
For a change of pace, I caught up with my cousins at Knock2’s set, located on the other side of the park at the Twin Peaks stage. My first DJ set of the weekend was definitely one to remember—the crowd was going wild as the Laotian DJ bumped his biggest hits, including “dashstar*” and “Laserbeam.” With their hands in the air, EDM enthusiasts celebrated as Knock2 played covers of “TAKE IT OFF” from FISHER and “Baddadan” from Chase & Status. On the other end of the festival grounds, Young the Giant performed a dynamic set, playing songs spanning their whole career, from some of their earliest singles up to their latest releases. They even sprinkled in a cover of Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso” before ending with “Silvertongue” and “My Body.” Fans sang along to every song, and the band reciprocated their energy with a lively performance. Even as the night progressed, I heard many fans talking about how much fun they had at Young the Giant.
Chicken falafel bowl from Lulu.
I had initially planned on seeing South African vocalist Tyla’s performance, but her late appearance allowed me to catch the entirety of Reneé Rapp’s set instead. A big name in pop culture for her outstanding music and stellar acting career, Rapp’s crowd was packed with fans of all ages, excited to hear her perform songs from the pop artist’s debut album, Snow Angel. I even saw Rapp’s partner, fellow artist Towa Bird, supporting from the side stage, singing along to the songs. She came out to a roar of screams, fans running down the hills to catch her at the Twin Peaks stage, as she instantly began with “Talk Too Much” and “Poison Poison.” Despite San Francisco’s signature fog and the cold conditions, she encouraged fans to give more energy, “Raise your hands if you’re cold. That means you’re not jumping enough!” She danced around the stage with infectious energy, ensuring that every member of the audience was getting hyped, even through some of the slower tunes. Showcasing her powerhouse vocals between silly moments of fan interaction, Rapp serenaded the camera during several songs, giving the whole crowd a show, no matter where you found yourself. Later, she mentioned how she had forgotten to play “Tummy Hurts” at a recent festival before gifting SF with a rendition of her 2023 R&B hit.
While Daniel Caesar started his set, I picked up my dinner for the evening near the Sutro stage. I chose to eat at Lulu, a Palestinian-American restaurant from Berkeley. The chicken falafel bowl was delicious, and the vegetables were refreshing after a long day at the festival. I’m definitely going to go to their Berkeley location at some point, especially since we love supporting Palestinian businesses! Caesar’s set was a calming way to end an action-packed day, and the performance felt like it was appropriate for the laidback vibes of the Sutro stage. Surrounded by fans slowly swaying and singing along to his R&B hits, the singer had a minimal set of mostly acoustic tracks.
After a few songs of Daniel Caesar, my cousins and I decided to head over to see the end of The Killers. Celebrating 20 years of their iconic record Hot Fuss, the Vegas rockers put on a set of banger after banger, opening with their 2004 hit “Somebody Told Me.” There was nothing but energy for the main stage headliner, playing a set of their biggest songs to the thousands of adoring fans. Singing his heart out, frontman Brandon Flowers captivated the crowd with The Killers’ anthemic tunes, such as “When You Were Young,” even showcasing his theatrical side with the performance. The band were incredibly connected with their fans, interacting with them throughout the set and even stopping the show for a fan having a medical emergency. But the night wouldn’t be complete without at least one performance of “Mr. Brightside,” as the Friday ended with a bang and two plays of their legendary debut single.
Dancing with a mushroom in front of the Panhandle stage.
Messages written on the OSL chalkboard.
Fans gather in Cocktail Magic after grabbing drinks.
Day 2
Entrance to McLaren Pass.
To start Saturday morning, I absolutely had to catch K.Flay, the powerful rockstar from Illinois. I first was introduced to K.Flay back in 2016 and have since followed her music—she even graced the cover of Kinda Cool a few years ago! Even though it was still early in the day, Flaherty got the whole crowd hyped, jumping and dancing around the stage in custom shorts, reading “Hustler. Raw Raw. Punisher,” references to song titles from her 2023 album, MONO. With a ferocious set that perfectly highlighted her unique vocals, she played a wide variety from her discography, ranging from songs from her 2017 album (“Black Wave,” “Giver”) up to her most recent album (“Raw Raw,” “Punisher”). A phenomenal performer, the day was off to a great start, as fans crowded from all over to hear the Stanford alumna sing “High Enough.”
After K.Flay’s set concluded, I headed over to the media tent to try Gray Whale Gin’s activation. The signature drink of the day, Coastal Tides, was delightful, and its lavender taste masked the alcohol well. With coconut water, lemon juice, and a garnish of a lavender sprig, the drink was a lovely treat and got me pumped for the rest of the day.
A couple gets married in Outside Lands' City Hall.
FLETCHER next graced the Lands End stage, a celebration of queer joy and love within pop perfection. She confidently took the stage with a fierce energy, belting her heart out to “Pretending” and “All Love.” Taking a moment to flirt with the camera, the Jersey singer-songwriter released her latest album, In Search of the Antidote, earlier this year, and this performance was a great example of why new listeners should check her out.
Fans take photos together in front of the reflective Outside Lands sign.
Between sets, I took some time to walk around the festival and really immerse myself in the festival spirit. One of the newest additions to the festival is Outside Lands’ City Hall, a wedding venue on the festival grounds for any attendees looking to make their special day one to remember. Nestled in McLaren Pass, I was lucky enough to catch a couple walking down the aisle, as other passing festivalgoers stopped by to watch or even join the celebration. I also strolled into Wine Lands, a designated space for wine lovers to explore various beverages from local wineries. Northern California is home to Wine Country, which makes Wine Lands a perfect addition to Outside Lands’ diverse food and drink options. They also offered charcuterie and small bites in Wine Lands, which was perfect for those looking to lounge around and grab a quick bite. There are so many designated spaces for every type of festivalgoer, and Outside Lands does an incredible job of designing places for everyone to be able to enjoy their experience all weekend long. Whether you’re looking to support local art or meet organizations who are fighting for a cause, everyone’s voice can be heard and acknowledged. As I walked around, I saw a meeting in Sober Lands, fans creating their own flower crowns, and friends taking photos in front of some of the murals.
One of the most notable organizations present was HeadCount, an organization dedicated to registering voters and promoting democratic participation. Many of their volunteers were walking around with clipboards and offering pins to those who registered with them, and HeadCount even had miniature “voting” booths set up in front of their tent. In an election year, their work is incredibly important in ensuring that people are registered to vote and make their voices heard, especially in such a critical time.
When the festival was initially announced, Tyler, the Creator was set to headline on Saturday evening, but he was later replaced by Sabrina Carpenter, the bubbly pop star from Pennsylvania. Although many hip hop fans were disappointed to hear Tyler was no longer appearing, many fans were also excited to see Carpenter take the stage. Now a household name after the success of her hit single, “Espresso,” Carpenter first found fame as an actress and later showcased her vocal abilities with a music career, releasing her debut album in 2015. I first got to see her perform back in 2018 and was astonished by her powerful voice and honest lyricism. Now, on the verge of releasing her latest record, Carpenter was set to perform a 75-minute set on the Outside Lands main stage.
As the lights dimmed on the Lands End change, her set, designed to feel like a ‘60s game show, twinkled with lights, and the pop princess herself danced onto the stage. Opening with “Fast Times,” she dazzled the crowd with her signature charming smile and sparkly outfits, singing about love and growth with a set that was equal parts exciting and entertaining. Even when Carpenter wasn’t playing a song, her dancers kept the performance lively, as they showed off their theatrical sides. She giggled her way through “Feather,” delicately kicking in that door with the dance TikTok had come to enjoy.
Once the second act of her set came around, she changed into a new outfit before bringing country superstar Kacey Musgraves on stage to perform a cover of Lee Hazlewood’s “These Boots Were Made For Walkin’” for Saturday’s Outside Lands crowd. Exchanging smiles between verses, the duo blew the crowd away. For those unfamiliar with Carpenter’s music, she always makes an original outro for her hit single, “Nonsense,” complete with references to the city where she is performing, and her OSL outro was as cheeky as ever: ‘Soon cometh my album so exciting/My heart doth pound beneath my chest, so mighty/Outside Lands, it's like thou art inside me.’ As the night came to a close, “Espresso” was a perfect conclusion to another great day.
Some of the food options available in Polo Field.
Overlooking the crowd on Polo Field.
Day 3
A well-decorated City Hall, perfect for celebrations of love.
Day 3 was a day of cowboy hat galore—after all, Chappell Roan, Post Malone, and Sturgill Simpson were all making appearances on the final day of Outside Lands. As I waited for the shuttle from Civic Center to Golden Gate Park, fans were already buzzing with excitement, complimenting one another on their outfits and singing along to their favorite artists. The bus ride even turned into a full singalong with groups of fans belting out the lyrics to “Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl” and “HOT TO GO!”
My first set of the day was Paul Cauthen, a country rockstar from Texas. Cauthen charmed the crowd with remarks about his music while also noting how many people had come to see Chappell Roan, whose set was right after his on the Lands End stage. Playing “Country As Fuck,” fans rejoiced as he called out for country lovers before playing the 2021 single.
Chappell Roan performing on the Lands End stage.
Perhaps the most-anticipated set of the entire festival came from Missouri’s very own Chappell Roan. The eclectic songstress shattered the music industry this year, making history with her catchy songs, including the viral hit “Good Luck, Babe!” and massive festival sets, including a record-breaking performance at Chicago’s Lollapalooza, rumored to have brought in over 100,000 attendees to her set. As fans packed in before her midday set, it was evident that the Pink Pony Club, a reference to her 2022 single, was buzzing to see the Midwest Princess in action, decked out in pink cowboy hats and glitter. The crowd cheered as she took the stage, wearing the blue and yellow costume from her music video for “HOT TO GO!” on its first anniversary. Nearly 10,000 attendees danced along to the cheer-inspired track and its popular choreography, eagerly spelling out the letters with their arms. Strutting around the stage, she sang several of her biggest hits, including “Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl” and “Casual,” as well as her unreleased single “The Subway.” The breakout star made her way through songs from her stellar debut record, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, smiling along to the cheeky lyrics in “Red Wine Supernova” and screaming the commands in “Feminomenon.” Truthfully, I was brought to tears when Roan ended the show with “Pink Pony Club,” a goosebumps-inducing experience as thousands of fans sang along to the lyrics about acceptance and finding a place to feel at home, nearly crying out, ‘Oh mama/I'm just having fun/On the stage in my heels/It's where I belong down at the/Pink Pony Club.’
Flower Lands.
After Chappell’s set came to a close, I quickly made my way over to Corinne Bailey Rae at the nearby stage to catch the second half of her set. A change of pace from the previous performance, the English singer-songwriter put on an intimate set, strumming along to each song gently. Pulling songs from her discography of nearly 20 years, fans of all ages gathered to watch her play songs from her illustrious career, from 2006’s “Like A Star” to 2023’s “New York Transit Queen.” To close out her set, the crowd sang along to “Put Your Records On,” her hit single from her debut record. Whether you were a longtime fan of Bailey Rae or just a casual listener, the breakout track is still a familiar favorite for many, as the Sutro stage clapped to the beat.
View overlooking Polo Field.
It was a hectic start to the day, so I headed back to the media tent, where I caught a bit of Teddy Swims on the Lands End stage. The breakout star became a household name after the success of his 2023 single “Lose Control” ahead of his debut record’s release. Even though I haven’t listened to much of his discography, Swims was a lively performer, pulling on fans’ heartstrings with his powerfully soulful voice. While looking to meet up with my cousins, I stopped at Little Sweet to pick up a Black Sugar Fresh Milk with Boba. It was just the right amount of sweetness and richness while the boba was refreshing and warm. Post Malone later took the stage, playing a special country set to celebrate his newest album, F-1 Trillion. Playing a variety of country covers, including “Carrying Your Love With Me” by George Strait and “Who’s Cheatin’ Who” by Alan Jackson, he invited David Lee Murphy for a cover of Murphy’s “Dust on the Bottle.” Donning an Eagles shirt and camo hat, the multi-genre artist treated fans to some of country’s biggest hits and his recent single, “I Had Some Help.”
Before my next set of the night, I headed over to grab my dinner for the evening from Respectable Bird, a San Francisco-based fried chicken eatery. I picked up two chicken sandwiches, which were delicious and hearty, smothered in a rich house sauce. I then headed over to MK, as he was added to the lineup after Idris Elba canceled his performance. Appearing on the SOMA stage, the open-air stage provided lots of space for fans of techno and EDM music to get their rave on.
To end the weekend, KAYTRANADA put on a great set of his catchiest songs, getting the whole crowd into the groovy rhythms from his electronic and hip hop discography. The Haitian-Canadian DJ carried the Twin Peaks stage into a beats-driven soundscape, as the night grew darker and the stage lit up the night sky. Fans pumped their fists, drinks in hand, dancing away to both his songs and collaborations with other artists. Opening with “Pressure,” a single from his most recent record, he also treated the crowd to “All Night” (Chance the Rapper), “Kiss It Better” (Rihanna), and “Nasty” (Tinashe). For dance enthusiasts, this was a perfect way to end a weekend full of stellar DJ sets and fantastic performances.
Overall, my return to Outside Lands was pretty memorable. From the food to the people, San Franciso’s chilly weather didn’t deter fans from having a great time, whether it was singing along to Chappell Roan’s viral tunes, cheering on drag queens at the Dolores tent, or even getting married in the most special venue. There were so many different ways to enjoy oneself, whether you came alone or with longtime friends and family, and the weekend was full of surprises. For example, I met Alex the Great, the most adorable rabbit wearing a pink cowboy hat, hanging out with Lumos, a therapy dog from SF. Local vendors showcased their goods, ranging from crocheted fruit-themed hats to handmade earrings to crystals, and it was so cool to see how many Bay Area businesses showed up all weekend. I had a wonderful time, and we can’t wait to see what happens next year!
Day 1 Gallery | Day 2 Gallery | Day 3 Gallery
The Mission, a space designated for organizations to share their missions.
Fans grabbing a drink in Cocktail Magic.
Artists creating in Outsider Art.
Fans meet in front of the Ranger Dave statue.
Ranger Dave waves!