Notes from OutsideLands in San Francisco, Day 2.

“The next song came to me in a dream

I was living in Memphis

About 4am a pretty voice came to me

The most beautiful voice – much more pretty than mine

So I had to write it down…”

And so day two of OutsideLands started with those words by Valerie June in a foggy meadow right after noon.  Heads swaying to her voice from that dream as she strummed a gas can guitar, a unique and gifted soul from Memphis woke up the crowds and kicked off day two.

Saturday!  If we didn’t think it was possible, OutsideLand’s second day offered even more stellar music.  Dense fog and shoulder-to-shoulder crowds aside, everyone seemed to have a blast…and I managed to avoid the scary carnies that haunted my own dreams from the previous day.

The Kooks

Great band on the big stage – eclectic and they don’t follow any formula as they rock out.

Big Freedia

One of the most bizarre and awesome things I’ve ever witnessed – this New Orleans band put bounce on the scene years ago, influencing acts like Lil Wayne along the way.  Set up at a little stage in a grove in the woods, they energized the small crowd with their interesting take on music and food – “Booty, bignets and brunch.”  With a kitchen set and two New Orleans chefs making bignets right on stage, and Big Freedia and his gymnastic ass-tastic dancers going nuts to some deep-base southern bounce.  We didn’t want to stop dancing, but the good news was that we got to see them again later in the day, because Big Freedia played again in the afternoon on the big stage.

Tycho

Tight and unpredictable, with amazing percussions.

Haim

This sister trio (plus drummer) is one of LA’s best-kept secrets – that’s not so secret any more. 

Big Freedia

Booty shaking at its finest again, this time without the bignets.

Atmosphere

Like we mentioned yesterday, rap music doesn’t often translate well live, but Atmosphere absolutely represented and ripped it down – exuding contagious passion as he spit fire.

Tom Petty

The hardest working man in show business sounded perfect as the headliner on the big stage, showing why he’s an icon in the music world.

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

After hearing half a dozen Petty songs we sprinted across the park to catch Macklemore and his DJ.  They didn’t disappoint, playing the hits we love and even bringing a female couple on stage for a marriage proposal before playing ‘Same Love.’ 

Afterhours:

We caught The Killers at the Independent, an ear-shattering fun show and a great way to end the night – and warm up for Sunday at OutsideLands, since they’re headlining at night.