As we head into the 11th year of Outside Lands, it’s also important to commemorate the fact that this is the 5th year in a row that I’ve been encouraging you to show up early and check out the smaller stages. I am well aware of the fact that my first one of these, in 2013, managed to guide you to several amazing bands, but missed the fact that a little bass and drums duo on Fueled By Ramen called Twenty One Pilots was playing. This also proves my point that you should get there early, because you never know when you are gonna stumble across a band that’s gonna be selling out arenas in just a couple years. Other passed “bottom-halfers” included The Black Keys, Courtney Barnett, Portugal. The Man, Janelle Monae, Father John Misty, Foster The People, and others that moved on to be massive stars.
So, here are my top 10 favorite acts from the bottom half of the 2018 Outside Lands line-up.
Lizzo
It pains me that we live in a world where Lizzo isn’t one of the most famous pop stars on the planet. Her music is instantly accessible and relatable. She can tell a vivid, complete story with characters that you connect with instantly, and she does this with some of the best beats I’ve heard in a while underneath. She’s got charisma in spades, as well. One of the best live shows you will see this year.
Chicano Batman
Dressed like the most perfect wedding band you will ever see, Chicano Batman’s look may be a bit deceiving. Even when they first start playing, that may feel like a classic, lowrider oldies throwback band. Then, at some point, the acid kicks right in, and you are taken on a bilingual rock n roll journey like you’ve never been on before.
Shannon & The Clams
First of all, Shannon Shaw is a fucking legend. When all of her fellow Bay Area Garage Punkers moved to LA the moment they started getting a little popular (I’m talking to you: Ty Segall, Nick Waterhouse, and John Dwyer), Shaw has stuck it out. 2018 has already been one hell of a busy year for her, too, releasing an excellent record with her band, The Clams, as well as a stunning solo record, Shannon In Nashville, a collection of classic memphis soul and rockabilly (produced by Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys, no less), and also staged an epic reunion with her OTHER band, Hunx & His Punx!
We are lucky to live in the Bay Area, and get to see her fairly often. We are even luckier this Outside Lands, as we get a Shannon & The Clams set in the park during the day, AND a Saturday Night late show at Rickshaw Stop. There also aren’t many opportunities to get your mosh on this OSL, so please take up both of these.
Poolside
There are few sounds I hate more than that super summery, sort of jazzy house music that permeates throughout Union Square year-round. You know what I’m talking about- it’s really popular and grates the ear drums worse than 1,000 rusty nails over a broken chalkboard. Somehow, Poolside manages to make that sound not only bearable, but actually good! It might be their willingness to accept Yacht Rock as an influence, or the presence of a full band with a live drummer that makes it all feel just a little more human and a lot more fun.
Monophonics
Monophonics do the kind of psychedelic soul that’s perfect for Sunday mornings. I highly recommend enjoying this set with a nice cup of warm coffee and donuts or waffles. Once you get the carbs and caffeine in the system, you can then start dancing.
Dick Stusso
First of all, this is one of the coolest names I’ve ever seen. Secondly, if you are looking for reverb-dripped, electric folk/blues, this guy is the best guy from the Bay to make this happen since David Dondero.
Kikagaku Moyo
Tokyo’s Kikagaku Moyo might be the most classically San Francisco Psych band on all of this year’s Outside Lands line-up. (I mean, they actually have an electric sitar player, FFS!) Jumping between delicate folk, psych rave ups, and even a few Phish-influenced jams, this band is the perfect companion to dancing about a field surrounded by trees with a head full of… dreams, I guess?
LP
When LP (not to be confused with El-P of Run The Jewels) comes through town, she sells out whatever room she plays in moments. Since you already have a ticket (right?) to Outside Lands, might as well see what all the hype is about. The hype, of course, is over somebody that finger picks like Ani, arranges like Joni, and has the ability to write hooks as infectious as Taylor.
Caleborate
So, I know a few of you are still pissed that A Tribe Called Quest didn’t make their scheduled appearance last year. I know. I’m still upset, too. But, let’s stop looking into the past, and start looking into the future. Looking for someone with a sincere, musical flow and a sense of social awareness mixed with a glimmer of optimism that allows you to truly believe that good will triumph over evil? Looking for this rapping style to glide effortlessly over jazzy beats? Caleborate will have you forgetting everything about Tribe’s cancellation.
The Mountain Goats
How are The Mountain Goats still on the bottom half of the poster? After over 25 years of putting out consistent folk-influenced indie rock, it’s high time for them to be a headlining act at these things. Also, frontman John Darnielle might be one of the funniest people alive. Keep an eye out on The Barbary stage, he is likely to make more than a couple of surprise appearances.
