[Recap] Outside Lands 2011

This wasn’t my first trip to the Outside Lands Festival in San Francisco, but it was certainly the best. Since its inception in 2008, the festival has grown immensely, attracting food junkies, die-hard music fans, wine connoisseurs, artists, and everything in-between. Yet while the people of Outside Lands are each amazingly unique, it is the location that truly separates this gathering from anything else. No festival experience can compare to this harmonious gathering in Golden Gate Park, so describing it to someone who’s never been is almost impossible since they can’t experience the same sights, smells, and sounds; but here goes my best attempt.

The festival had an odd start as we hopped into a cab with water bottles of vodka strapped to our thighs plus one angry driver who didn’t want to bring us too close to the venue. Thank God it was a quick trip and we were able to see MGMT gracing the main stage with trippy visuals zig-zagging and popping on the two giant screens set on either side, but the set was only mediocre as they neglected to play one of their greatest hits “Kids”. Luckily, they saved the day with “Time to Pretend” and “Electric Feel”. Meanwhile, Ellie Goulding was setting up for an amazing, Starry Eyed Sunglasses laden, performance on the smaller Sutro stage.

The fog never left, leaving grey skies and antsy crowds dancing and huddling in small groups to stay warm. Ellie provided a glamorous performance with her uniquely rough voice pounding out “Under the Sheets”, “Starry Eyed” and a number of other hits to close off her American tour.

Big Boi didn’t perform, yet I can’t complain because Dave Chappelle came on stage to fill the gap, providing a brief comedy routine.

To finish the day, The Shins provided a tambourine-laden performance with a beach vibe suited perfectly for a festival on the West coast. Luckily for us they played almost every song from Wincing the Night Away, and a couple songs from their new album slated to release something in 2012. Andalu‘s delicious fried mac ‘n cheese fingers kept most of the crowd pleasantly content.

By the time day two rolled around, it was great to hear some British alternative rock, and the Arctic Monkeys didn’t disappoint. “Crying Lightning”, “When the Suns Goes Down”, “Fluorescent Adolescent”, “I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor”, and a new single were just a couple of highlights. During the show there were plenty of attempts to jump the fence and use the sound-booth out-houses, but security swiftly whisked the perpetrators away to avoid any situation.

In addition to playing on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon all the way in New York, The Roots also find time to tour, write new material, and practice. Quite the band, and it shows. They are so finely tuned, somehow always on the same page jumping into song after song with no hesitation. Playing everything from their own “Fire” to the Guns and Roses “Sweet Child O’ Mine”, the crowd energy soared past the trees and into the clear skies. Then, there were the lasers. Musewas on the main stage laying down power-ballad after power-ballad, interlacing them with soulful piano solos, unleashing gigantic balloons into the crowd, and shooting lasers that could probably be seen from the moon. At one point, Matthew Bellamy started plucking “House of the Rising Sun” on his guitar, to which the whole crowd began singing along.

Day three saw !!! setting the stage for Major Lazer. While both were insanely energetic performances, we’d seen Major Lazer play at 6 in the morning at EDC, so watching them play in the middle of the day without the support of front-man, ladder-diving, champagne drinking/spraying, hump-happy Skerrit Bwoy didn’t quite stand up.

Beirut and Little Dragon both provided slower tempo shows to calm the crowds, then Deadmau5 took the stage. Aided by his trustful vocalist Sofi, he began the set 20 minutes early. Dropping almost the entire 4×4=12 album, plus some older hits like “Ghosts ‘N Stuff”, “The Longest Road”, and Daft Punk’s“Harder, Better Faster, Stronger” he proved that he essentially ruled the EDM side of Outside Lands (with the exception of runner-up Major Lazer). As the festival came to a close, a group of USD students began the Olé chant in an attempt to lure the mysteriou5 mau5 back on-stage. It was the perfect end to a perfect festival.

By: Spencer Handly

All Photos Courtesy: Grady Brannan