Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival, San Francisco, CA Reviewed

We’ve said this before and we’ll say it again – the annual Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival held in San Francisco is an event that’s not to be missed! This year, proved to be the biggest and best yet – from a huge food menu to choose from, the diverse music line-up, to the wine and beer tent pouring their goodies to festival goer’s to experience, this is the premier music festival that offers everything and more.

Elekro was lucky enough to experience the sold-out music festival. The three-day event, held from August 9-12th, took over San Francisco’s famed Golden Gate Park for the sixth year, turning the miniature city into a musical revelry.

We swayed to the legendary Sir Paul McCartney’s soulful, classic tunes, sang along to Yeasayer’s melodic tracks, danced to Zedd’s set where we didn’t miss a beat, raved out in the Dome by Heineken tent, became mesmerized by Pretty Light’s light show, was in-awe of the always entertaining Yeah Yeah Yeahs (um hello, love Karen O!), went dark for a little NIN, jammed to Baauer, jumped around for Phoenix, bounced to A-Trak and had the most epic dance party to Kaskade!

Surely, A Taste of the Bay, where featured 72 vendors cooking up their goodies to help fuel attendees in between the shows, offered gourmet food and we couldn’t help but stuff our faces with some favorites from Homeroom’s creamy, Gilroy Garlic Mac + Cheese, Nopalito’s finger-licking Spicy Awesome Chips and a local favorite Rich Table’s interesting, yet addicting Sardine Chips - all washed down with this new tasty drink we discovered called AMAzon Beverages, a fusion of coconut water and tea.

Though there is no shortage of rock and indie bands, Outside Lands knows how to sprinkle in the right amount of electronic dance music acts for the event and continues to grow the EDM line-up for Outside Lands each year that “showcase the electronic artists within a mainstream rock festival”.

“One major change in popular music since 2008 has been the rise of electronic music and DJ's into the mainstream,” said Bryan Duquette of Another Planet Entertainment. “Outside Lands has always been focused on booking relevant and contemporary music and we have begun to book more electronic music as a result.”

Ryan Raddon, better known as Kaskade, closed the festival with an electrifying headlining set, banging out songs from his upcoming album, Atmosphere, as well as playing crowd-pleasers with his new and old favorite hits. From Lana Del Rey’s “Young & Beautiful” remix, his collaboration with Project 46 “Last Chance” to “Eyes + Reload” mash-up and his latest single, “Atmosphere”, Kaskade, who is an SF native, put on the perfect set to leave us wanting more… and more, the right teaser as he gears up for his upcoming album and tour.

“We have dedicated the Twin Peaks stage to dance rock, hip hop, DJs and other forms of electronic music. Headliners on that stage since 2011 have been deadmau5, Girl Talk, Justice, Sigur Ros, Skrillex, Pretty Lights and Kaskade.”

With the festival growing and selling-out out each year, who do you think will play in 2014? Any guesses? We can only imagine the line-up won’t be a disappointment.

We spent three glorious summer days in the Golden Gate Park, chowing down on delicious culinary eats and dancing and singing from our hearts to live music under the stars. Honestly – there seriously was no better way to cap off the summer daze!

Another festival has come and gone. It’s not goodbye, it’s see you later!

Written by: Thao Le