It’s that time of the year in San Francisco when everyone’s either scrambling to find a ticket or stressing schedule overlaps for Outside Lands Music Festival. Hosted in the heart of Golden Gate Park’s picturesque forest, OSL has quickly become the Bay Area’s most sought-after festival ticket since its inception 7 years ago. In the last couple years particularly, though, the demand has exploded with tickets selling out faster than ever and a ravenous (and frankly obnoxious) secondhand ticket market. That’s all with good reason, though, considering Another Planet Entertainment raises the stakes every year and 2015 is looking to be no different with one of the strongest lineups in the festival’s history.
As always, the Outside Lands bill combines local acts, up ‘n coming bands from around the world and established contemporary stars with a few legends sprinkled on top. There’s a marked depth to the lineup this year including the Heineken House, which will serve as the designated non-stop dance tent for the weekend. As Ninjas, and senseis in the art of festival-ing, we’ll always vouch for at least one stop a day at these stages. We’ve crafted a playlist, including our favorites from the Heineken House, in chronological order of performance that we hope helps get you prepared for OSL 2015. For all of you who won’t be able to make it, you can live stream performances from the Outside Lands website.
DAY 1
Earlybird Pick: Broods
12:45PM-1:30PM || Twin Peaks Stage
Sounds like: The indie electronic set to not be missed. Mixes the synths of Caribou with the vocals of Phantogram. – Dom
DJ Pick: Wolf + Lamb vs. Soul Clap
4:30-8PM || Heineken House
Sounds like: Two production duos coming together to provide nearly four hours of straight electronic funk and groove.
Don’t Sleep On: Alvvays
4:30-5:10PM || Panhandle Stage
Sounds like: The most underrated indie rock band of this year’s festival. – Dom
Evening Pick: RL Grime
5:15-6PM || Twin Peaks Stage
Sounds like: All the bass, horns, and drops you love about trap with none of the screeching lasers that you don’t. – Dom
Headliner Pick: D’Angelo & the Vanguard
7:45-9PM || Sutro Stage
Sounds like: One of the greatest soul/R&B vocalists ever with masterfully crafted message backed by a jazzy ensemble.
DAY 2
Earlybird Pick: Mac DeMarco
2:20-3:10PM || Lands End
Sounds like: Breezy, bended guitar combined with odd, yet equally pleasant, vocals perfect for a sunny day. Expect a lot of new music as the show comes a couple nights after the release of his latest album.
DJ Pick: Moon Boots
4:30-5:30PM || Heineken House
Sounds like: Traveling through the solar system with a disco ball attached to the front of your rocket ship. – Dom
Don’t Sleep On: Giraffage
6:05-6:50PM || Panhandle Stage
Sounds like: Playful, R&B-tinted electronic music from a Bay Area native that makes for a magical live performance.
Evening Pick: Tame Impala
6:30-7:40PM || Lands End
Sounds like: A new-age take on psych rock’s greats with incredible emotional depth and intoxicating sonics.
Headliner Pick: Kendrick Lamar
8:40PM-9:55PM || Twin Peaks
Sounds like: The greatest emcee of this generation who’s latest album takes the musicality to mind-blowing places.
DAY 3
Earlybird Pick: SZA
12:40-1:20PM || Twin Peaks
Sounds like: A soulfully alternative R&B singer (think Emily King) who has mastered the technique of harmonizing over hip-hop beats. – Dom
Don’t Sleep On: Ryn Weaver
4:20-5PM || Panhandle Stage
Sounds like: A combination of Banks and Mark Johns, with a more expansive vocal range to boot. – Dom
Evening Pick: Caribou
6:40-7:40PM || Twin Peaks
Sounds like: Synth-laden soundscapes with distinct dance percussion that when translated live proves irresistible.
Odessa’
DJ Pick: Get Real (Green Velvet & Claude Von Stroke)
7:40-8:30PM || Panhandle Stage
Sounds like: Living legends in techno and house respectively, Green Velvet and Claude Von Stroke are a duo who’s rare collaborative performances promise for a crazy ride.
Headliner Pick: Elton John
7:35-9:35PM || Lands End
Sounds like: Ummmm, well, Elton John.
