This is Outside Lands weekend, and a surprising number of excellent non-Outside Lands related gigs are happening concurrently. So, if you don’t feel like watching Kings Of Leon getting pooped on (although who wouldn’t love to see that!), you’ve got some crazy good options. Read On!
Thursday, August 12th
Or The Whale, These United States, Winter’s Fall at Bottom Of The Hill
I found this band in Austin last year, which is strange since they are an Oakland band, and I live in Oakland. It’s funny how that works. This guys to a funky sort of nerdy dance music, and they are a solid good time. If you want to start your weekend a little bit early, this is the way to do it.
Reverend Horton Heat, Split Lip Rayfield, Hillstop at The Fillmore
[Editor’s Note: Dakin didn’t include The Joy Formidable at Popscene here. That’s probably because, unlike me, he didn’t fly to New York to see them at Mercury Lounge, spend much of last year and this obsessed with A Balloon Called Moaning, and isn’t a “rabid” follower of The Big Takeover. So I’m recommending this show on his behalf. This is an awesome band.]
Friday, August 13th
Akron/Family, White Hills, Bad Weather California at The New Parish
Akron/Family commonly get mixed up with all the folky, beard-rock bands that seem to be all the rage these days. (Local Natives, Fleet Foxes, etc) They aren’t that kind of band. Instead, they are do funky, experimental music that actually belongs in the same category as TV On The Radio. They are, indeed, super awesome, and this is a great way to spend your Friday the 13th.
FANG, Oppressed Logic, Sex Offenders, Hewhocannotbenamed, Gutwrench at 924 Gilman
Saturday, August 14th- Sunday, August 15th
Outside Lands Music Festival in Golden Gate Park
This year’s event is a bit lower key than the first two years, although that might not be a bad thing altogether. Golden Gate Park events can be a little tough to maneuver when we have too many people around, so I think this year might actually be the best line up for the big event. The following schedule is my recommended schedule for the big event:
Saturday:
People Under The Stairs 12:00 – 12:40
Electric Six 12:40 – 1:20
Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars 1:25 – 2:15
Pretty Lights 2:15 – 3:00
Gogol Bordello 3:05 – 4:05
Rebirth Brass Band 4:35 – 5:20
Tokyo Police Club 5:25 – 6:15
Beats Antique 6:15 – 7:00
Cat Power 7:05 – 7:55
Wild Beasts 7:55 – 8:40
The Strokes 8:45 – 9:55
Sunday:
Little Wings 12:00 – 12:40
Amos Lee 12:45 – 1:30
Nneka 1:25 – 2:05
The Devil Makes Three 2:10 – 2:55
Janelle Monáe 3:05 – 3:55
Al Green 4:00 – 5:00
Chromeo 5:15 – 6:05
Aterciopelados 6:05 – 6:45
Social Distortion 6:55 – 7:45
The Budos Band 7:40 – 8:25
Empire of the Sun 8:25 – 9:20
Saturday, August 14th
Jello Biafra & The Guantanamo School Of Medicine, La Plebe, Zolar X at The Great American Music Hall
Noticed that I managed to ignore the fake Grateful Dead band at Outside Lands? Because in the seedy part of town, the lead singer of the greatest Bay Area rock band [Editor’s note: Journey?] will be utterly destroying the historic confines of The Great American Music Hall. The man is AARP eligible, but he is just as bratty as he was as a youngster, and his voice is sounding better than ever! So, instead of watching Bob Weir & Phil Lesh sleep through Dark Star, skip the park and check out a real living legend in the flesh.
American Steel, Ghost and The City, The Rattlesnakes at Bottom Of The Hill
Sunday, August 15th
Maceo Parker, Darondo at Stern Grove
Have you ever looked at Maceo Parker’s discography? It’s insane! He is one of the greatest sax players in the history of music, and we get him for free, outside in the sun! Amazing! Don’t ignore this show!
Rasputina, Larkin Grimm at Great American Music Hall
Chromeo, Holy Ghost! at The Independent
Monday, August 16th
Lady Gaga, Semi-Precious Weapon at HP Pavilion
Lady GaGa is the best thing to happen to mainstream culture since Twin Peaks. Her brand of pop music of smart and subversive and, when it comes down to it, the only people that speak negatively of her are people that will never actually listen to her actively, and those people are simply closed minded and afraid of something “popular” also being good. She is one of the most gifted people working in music today, and almost everyone knows that. Some day, everyone will actually understand that. (Also playing 8/17)
Tuesday, August 17th
Billy Idol at The Fillmore
The Fillmore is a very small place. Billy Idol is a very big performer. This venue will not be able to contain him. Age has treated him well, and who doesn’t want to hear this song live:
Cyndi Lauper at Mountain Winery
Wednesday, August 18th
Black Francis, Roy Zimmerman at Great American Music Hall
You will never get a new Pixies album. Instead, you will get many new Black Francis solo albums that are light years superior to anything The Pixies put out. So, instead of waiting for another Pixies reunion gig, see the man doing what he is most passionate about. Once you see this man on his own, you’ll understand what I’m talking about.
Wavves, Young Prisms at Rickshaw Stop
I’ve got to defend Wavves. He got a lot of hype really fast, and the played one bad show on Ecstasy and everyone hates him. The guy is darn good at what he does, which is psychedelic surf punk. Thank god at least that he’s in backlash mode, because that means we are going to get real music fans at this show, instead of scenesters. This is the time to see Wavves. (Also doing a short instore at Amoeba – SF at 6 PM)
