Sneak Peek Guide to Outside Lands Arts + Music Festival

The countdown begins and we're hours away from San Francisco's beloved music festival in the historic Golden Gate Park. For the first-timers or frequent OSLers, we put together a guide to help you voyage your way through the seventh annual Outside Lands music festival, which takes place from August 8-10. So listen up and get ready for a musical weekend in one of America's favorite cities packed with music, food, wine, and art - we promise, you won't want to leave this enchanting place. Read on.

Sounds

Have you picked out who you’re who you’re going to see? What’s great about Outside Lands is the mix of music genres, which means there’s something for everyone, from old favorites to new music discoveries. Everyone from Cut Copy, Duck Sauce, The Flaming Lips and Tegan & Sara, it’s going to be hard to pick your favorites to catch. View the full line-up here. A few of our musts below!

Kanye West – You love to hate him. Endless rants, customary to controversial outbursts, a mouth with no filter, sometimes annoying but yet so entertaining. The American hip-hop hitmaker has won 21 Grammys and has sold more than 30 million albums - Mr. West is a must-see performance on Friday. Whatever you do, be sure to schedule him into your night and make your way to the Lands End mainstage, he’s going to blow out the Golden Gate Park like no one has ever seen. Even if you’re not a fan, you’ll likely become one by the end of the night…or be intrigued to stay long enough to watch his entire set to see what kind of antics he’ll be up to.

-Disclosure - If you had a chance to check out their record, they are even better live. Trust us on this one – a set not to be missed. The best ‘feel good soul dance’ music, a perfect compliment to the scenery and the true meaning of music under the stars. They are magical. Haven’t heard of them? Check out ‘Latch’ ft. Sam Smith and put it on repeat. You’re welcome. These two electronic sibling cuties will be sure to electrify your evening.

-Arctic Monkeys – Their latest album “AM” has been a glorified record for the English indie rock quartet. With nothing but rave reviews, the new release is filled with nearly 42 minutes of a sexy, lusty, powerful, retro sound with catchy tracks such as ‘Do I Wanna Know’, ‘R U Mine’ and ‘Arabella’. The perfect nightfall performance on opening night, it’s going to feel like a personal love devotion dedicated to you.

-HAIM – These sisters are rad. They are worth the hype if you haven’t had a chance to catch them live. The pop-rock trio sold more than 90,000 copies of their debut album, “Days Are Gone” in the first week and with their catchy melodies and lyrics, it will surely guarantee a sea of bodies mouthing along to every word. With their second album slated to come “very soon”, the twentysomethings may even get us a little teaser of the new stuff.

-Capital Cities – Yes, these are the dudes who sing “Safe And Sound”. Yes, you’ve heard it everywhere – and yes, it’s for good reason. The album is actually something pretty great and makes for a good dance party. Part Phoenix, part Fitz and The Tantrums groovy sound; the indie electro/pop duo isn’t just a one-hit wonder act. A highly recommended act to catch!

-Flume – This Australian, who’s real name is Harley Streten, is an electronic musician and producer has been a beatmaker since 13. Taking inspiration from his peers, this DJ and electronic instrumentalist, who is on the rise and one to watch, produces and remixes with his own unique twist of heavy bass and attitude, leaving you wanting more. Have you heard his remix of Disclosure’s “You & Me”? Pretty badass.

-Tiësto – What music festival would be complete without a superstar DJ? This guy needs no introduction. No stranger to electronic dance music, San Francisco has housed and welcomed the top artists to the city. The Dutch DJ sensation will cap off the festival with an electric set celebrating his latest release, “A Town Called Paradise” with new tracks featuring everyone from Matthew Koma, LadyHawke to Hardwell and Icona Pop, as well as old favorites. Get ready to sing-a-long to every vocal-track (like John Legend’s “All Of Me”…sigh), dance to his pulsing beats and everything that comes with an EDM megaparty, And who knows, maybe Tegan & Sara will stick around for the weekend and make a surprise appearance for “Feel It In My Bones”? One can only hope!

Pours...

Did someone say drinks on drinks on drinks? For all you adult beverage connoisseurs, wander the field and you’ll find #WineLands and #BeerLands, two incredible tents offering delicious craft brews and celebrated wines to help get your groove (and drunk) on at the festival. Beer Lands will be located in the Polo Field w/ a 40-foot Neon Beer Mug that says "Ye Ol Beer Lands" that will let you drink you way to beer goggles through a selection of 64 beers and ciders, from 30 breweries, many which are local to SF. Looking for something more…sophisticated? Wine Lands will be uncorking 120 wines from 37 winemakers in the Hellman Hollow Field for its third year, letting folks get their drink-on with a few classy sips through wine tasting and even chat-up a storm with the winemakers themselves. Score yourself a few free pours, maybe? Oh, and did we mention you can roam around with your drinks? Double-fist anyone?!

Hungry?

Need some food to go along with those drinks? Overload with the Bay Area's culinary culture with its delectable menu - from smoked oysters, gourmet pizza, clam chowder, sushi burritos, garlic mac n' cheese to chicken + waffles, (salivating as we write this...) the "Taste of Bay Area" line-up is mouth-watering with more than 60 restaurants and food trucks. Nothing says the best comfort food to go along with the memories to be had! Be sure to fuel yourself in-between sets, while you're trekking through the park, from stage-to-stage, your belly is going to want everything in sight. We did, for the past three years, and WE.ARE.NOT.SORRY! Grub up on some of our favorites: Homeroom’s Gilroy Mac N' Cheese, Rich Table's Dried Porcini Donuts, Bacon Bacon food truck, Tacolicious tacos and Farmer’s Brown’s Little Skillet to name a few. Ahem, you may want to pack some stretchy pants with you for this... #OLFood

Unplug!

A no phone zone. Can you handle it? At the Digital Detox area – you better leave your smartphones and gadgets at the ‘door’. Break away from the uberconnected sphere for a bit and the urge to reach for your phone every 10 seconds and embrace the green, fresh nature of the awesome park and just… be in the moment. Just you and people around, for your body and soul to chill out and relax without any digital devices in your pretty little faces.

Laughs

There’s nothing like a good laugh to make everything better. Between the music, friends, food and booze, add some more laughter in your Outside Lands experience at The Barbary, co-curated by SF Sketchfest, a comedy ‘magic-mirror’ tent featuring today’s funniest stand-up comedians around including Grammy-winning comedian Lewis Black, Aisha Tyler, among many others. Previous acts were Neil Patrick Harris, Chris Hardwick, Adult Swim and Craig Robinson. Get ready to L.O.L!

The Sweet Life

Yes, there’s more goodness and it’s pretty sweet, literally. Behold Choco Lands, a decadent experience, filled with the sweetest treats to help satisfy that sweet tooth. From dipped chocolate brownies, rice crispys, s'mores, hot chocolate, chocolate french macarons, chocolate crackled cookies, white chocolate macadamia cookies, chocolate and white milk – the menu will be a delicious upgrade from the usual chocolate bars. Also new to the line-up this year will be Humphry Slocombe Ice Cream, a city favorite, will be scooping its 2014 signature Outside Lands flavored ice cream. Choco Lands will be located in McLaren Pass. Now, LET’S GET CHOCOLATE WASTED!

Marketplace

The Outside Lands spirit doesn’t have to be over just because the festival is. Take a piece of memory home with you and be sure to checkout the ‘marketplace’. Lust over gypsy jewelry pieces, handmade tote bags, discover new brands and items, Outside Lands gear (the cutest blanket), pretty little knickknacks, because let’s be honest, who doesn’t love little pretty knickknacks? Who knows, you may find the best keepsake treasure at a place you would never expect.

And lastly, we just want to let you know about Karl the Fog. Embrace him. He's a legend in the city - without him, he does not make SF... SF. He'll be making his way into the park, here and there, hovering over you, possibly devouring the entire city by nightfall, so make sure to bundle up, layer up (or cozy up with that someone...wink) at the festival. It's going to be a chilly one… nothing like 'summer' in San Francisco.

Will you be attending Outside Lands this year? Be sure to follow and tweet us @elektro for the latest updates and pictures from #OL2014.

See you there.

-Thao Le