Outside Lands
The annual Outside Lands Music Festival took place at its home in Golden Gate Park San Francisco. Being its fifth installment this festival has grown to a considerable size becoming one of the largest of the Western U.S., both in its attendance and what I can only assume in general land area as well. Nestled in the beautiful forest that acts as San Francisco’s own and unique Central Park, this particular city festival is an amazing blend between music, food, and arts of all shapes and sizes. Traveling to OSL isn’t anything more than a ride on the BART and a quick little jaunt, all you have to do is follow the crowds, with an average daily attendance reaching up to 60,000 eager patrons, there’s definitely enough people to follow.
YACHT
After the hustle and bustle of getting in to Outside Lands, and gathering ones bearings, YACHT was the first act that we were able to truly prepare ourselves for. Having watched YACHT throughout their career it’s always a pleasure to listen to their psychedelic electro-pop. Jona and Claire’s energy have always been an infectious event to witness, through all their sets they’re constantly playing off the audiences feedback harnessing the enjoyment their creating, and thus engineering a delightful cyclical nature.
Beck
Beck’s mid-day slot on the main stage was peculiar at best, especially since over the years I’ve generally only been able to catch him closing a festival. It felt like this was the general response to the situation, as the audience was a little less than enthused with his overall performance. However after seeing him at Sasquatch! at the Gorge in George earlier in the summer it kind of hurt to see the lethargic response, that was the consideration the festival seemed to have shown him. Despite the lack of love Beck may have grown accustomed too, his professional nature shined through playing through a delectable collection of his catalog.
Die Antwoord
Having never see Die Antwoord before it was nice to be able to catch them in between sets. Walking down to Hellman Hollow and the Twin Peaks stage, off in the distance I began to hear a faint sound that initially felt like sound difficulties, low and behold it was actually the eccentric trio from South Africa getting underway. Knowing very little of their library left me in an extended state of wonderment for what I was actually witnessing. The erratic nature and often-abrasive interaction was enjoyable to watch, if only due to its odd nature.
Of Monsters and Men
Desperately in search of refuge from Die Antwoord I found myself wandering towards the Sutro stage on the other side of the festival grounds. I had enjoyed Of Monsters and Men earlier in the summer atSasquatch!, and felt they could provide the perfect respite from the day rave that kept making me feel as if I was going to watch an animal sacrifice. It was around this time I learned an important thing about myself…I’m definitely at/past the point of wanting to get weird in the afternoon at a dance show, and instead enjoy a softer more tranquil atmosphere,(at least when these are my only two options.)
Andrew Bird
I’ve been a huge fan of Andrew Bird, there’s just something about a man that can whistle like…well like a bird—it gets me everytime. It sings to very core of my soul, much like how the harpies of ancient Grecian lore would enchant wayward wanders, except with less death and destruction. On the other hand I’ve personally become a little tired of the folk resurgence that so many bands seem to be amidst; most notably Band of Horses, and The Decemberists. I understand this is a core pillar to some of these bands but where’s my Armchair Apocrypha?!? I get it, that was five years ago, but give me a little bit.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Neil Young has always been a personal favorite; I’ve enjoyed countless hours while Neil’s country folk rock has acted as my soundtrack. Alas this wasn’t a particular show that I could find myself getting into. After watching the first half I found myself counting the seconds, and that really shouldn’t ever be a feeling one has while at a festival. I assume the fault lies with myself, as there were a huge number of fans having the times of their lives.
Justice
Leaving the main stage and making my way back to Twin Peaks it was obvious whom the majority of the attendees were really there to see. The tight alleyway between the trees where the Twin Peaks stage laid at the end was filled with people trying to defy basic laws of physics, the Pauli Exclusion Principle definitely has illuminated our understanding in explaining how matter works—simply put, if there’s a wall of people in front of you, pushing won’t make them disappear, nor will you slip through the empty space between their atoms. SO STOP F@!#ING PUSHING! Its understandable though, Justice is amazing, both in philosophical thought, and in its personification as an electrifying French duo that can put on one hell of a show.