Golden Opportunity

Arcade Fire, Phish and Deadmau5 to rock Outside Lands Year Four

By David Downs

A wailing Muse, some groovy Phish and the doom-laden Arcade Fire will help draw perhaps 180,000 music fans to historic, magical Golden Gate Park Aug. 12 to 14 for the fourth annual Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival.

Backed by the live show titans Deadmau5, MGMT, Girl Talk, The Roots, Arctic Monkeys and Diplo’s Major Lazer, it’s not shocking that advance three-day tickets for $185 have sold out. As of press time, promoters Another Planet Entertainment, Superfly Presents and Star Hill Presents made single-day tickets and regular three-day tickets available. But it wouldn’t be shocking if the whole, 80-band festival sold out.

Outside Lands debuted in 2008 with a lineup that included Radiohead, and has gone on to feature Pearl Jam, Further and Al Green, among hundreds of others. But it’s also been a bit dogged by a severe national recession. The three-day festival shrank down to two-days in 2009 and 2010, but it has revved back up again and will retain its title as San Francisco’s No. 1 music festival.

This year’s lineup is also loaded with bands beloved by our local herb culture, including Collie Buddz, Best Coast, Latyryx and Sound Tribe Sector 9.

Martin Collins, a.k.a. DJ Deevice, helps anchor The Dome by Heineken—a dedicated dance tent—alongside 16 others DJs at Outside Lands. Taking a break from his radio show at Radio Valencia, he said San Francisco’s progressive cannabis policies are battling long-entrenched, global stigma.

“Lots of good work happening in San Francisco,” he says. “Educating and changing people’s perceptions.”

Outside Lands hits near the relative end of the national festival season and weather tends to be mild, yet mercurial. It might be plenty hot in the pit at midday under the direct sun, but come sundown, it can quickly become hoodie weather. Festival goers should pack light, wear comfy shoes and bring layers. Water bottles can be refilled, but bring some cash for food and drinks. Outside Lands spokesperson Ken Weinstein notes the event occurs in the epicenter of the West Coast’s foodie culture and will feature about 43 rock star foodmakers; from Rosamunde’s legendary sausages to Charles Chocolates’ organic s’mores.

“I’m calling it ‘The World’s Only Gourmet Rock fest’” he says.

Outside Lands’ website makes no mention of medicating area, and notes that “illegal drugs” are not allowed at the event. While medical cannabis is legal under state law, San Francisco banned any smoking in all parks in 2005. That said, the city remains steeped in its ’60s roots with a regular Golden Gate Park toking location dubbed “Hippie Hill.” And while Outside Lands security reserves the right to bounce rule-breakers, the reality is that courteous, inconspicuous consumers of all kinds are tolerated.

“San Francisco is a city full of amazing and creative people,” DJ Deevice adds. “I’m really excited to be playing at a festival that has become one of the most recognized of the summer, and I’m really looking forward to seeing Erykah Badu, The Black Keys, The Roots and Eskmo live this year.”

www.sfoutsidelands.com.

IN PLAIN SITE

The choice to hold Outside Lands at Golden Gate Park is no coincidence. It is merely the latest in a long, long tradition of the park serving as a venue for free events and gatherings of fringe, counter or alternative culture. It was the site of 1967’s Human Be-in, which was followed by the oft-cited Summer of Love. More recently, the urban park has also hosted what used to be called the Strictly Bluegrass Festival and it will be the venue for next year’s (rescheduled from this year) Power to the Peaceful Festival.