Review: Outside Lands 2024
Despite early negative public opinions about the lineup, Outside Lands 2024 proved that it remains one of the most exciting music festivals in the country, even when Karl the Fog decides to crash the party. The fog was in full attendance all weekend, but instead of being a damper, it added to the moody vibe that San Francisco likes to deliver. The festival-goers were still showing up in droves and embracing the festival's atmosphere, proving that Outside Lands can weather any storm—or in this case, fog.
Sabrina Carpenter: A “Short & Sweet” Headliner’s Debut to Remember
Sabrina Carpenter took to the stage on Saturday night, delivering what can only be described as a headline performance for the ages. It was her first time performing a headline set for a major festival, and she didn’t disappoint. With a setlist that peaked with what I would call the 2024 Summer anthem “Espresso” and a surprise duet with Kacey Musgraves on “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’,Carpenter demonstrated why she deserved to headline. While some of her songs might have dipped in energy, her overall presence and connection with the crowd kept the audience locked in. It was definitely a magical performance to remember.
Chappell Roan: The Headliner that wasn’t a Headliner
While the official lineup had its stars, the true breakout of the festival was undoubtedly Chappell Roan. Despite not being a headliner, Chappell managed to draw the largest crowd of the entire weekend, with an estimated 50,000 of the 75,000 attendees that day flooding in to see her perform, per Allen Scott President of concerts and festivals at APE (San Francisco Chronicle). It was the anniversary of the hit record “Hot To Go” which inspired her outfit of choice being the original outfit she wore in the music video. Which, speaking of the song, brought a funny moment of Chappell putting the VIP section on blast for thinking they were too cool to do the popular dance associated with the song.
Post Malone’s Hot Country Set
Post Malone made his return to Outside Lands, this time with a set that leaned heavily into his country influences. The set was filled more with covers and songs that Post really enjoys and is inspired by rather than his own songs. It was definitely a different approach to the typical sets artist play, and do note that his new country album F-1 Trillion is set to release August 16th so there not being many of his songs makes sense as he probably didn’t want to give out any spoilers. The audience was thrilled when he invited David Lee Murphy to the stage for a rendition of Murphy's 1994 hit “Dust on the Bottle.” He also brought out Jimmy Olander of Diamond Rio to perform their classic “This Romeo Ain't Got Julie Yet.” These moments of inviting artists established in the country genre to perform on stage, which has been a trend for Posty recently, alongside his covers of George Strait, Luke Combs, and Toby Keith, showcases his inspirations and love for country music.
Schoolboy Q’s SF Return: Making the Most of a Tough Slot
Despite being in a less-than-ideal spot on the lineup—a result of Tyler, The Creator's cancellation—Schoolboy Q still managed to deliver a performance that resonated with his true fans. Slotted awkwardly on the day Sabrina Carpenter was set to headline, there were moments where the crowd’s energy seemed not fully there, considering most of the fans in the crowd by that time were there in preparation to see Sabrina. However, Q’s raw energy and stage presence ensured that he left an impact, even if the connection with the broader audience wasn’t as strong as it could have been throughout the entire set. Still, for those who came to see him, Schoolboy Q’s return to the stage after a five-year gap since his last SF performance was nothing short of a banger. I and many others' first reaction when Sabrina was announced as the replacement wondered why the festival didn’t replace Tyler with another rapper/hip-hop artist to keep consistency. We all love Sabrina and loved her set but it still begs the question on what happened there with choice of replacement.
Grace Jones makes Grand Entrance
Iconic doesn’t even begin to describe Grace Jones’ set. The legendary performer brought her signature blend of fashion, dance, and music to the festival, delivering a show that was timeless. From suspended midair entrances; which set an Outside Lands record for tallest entrance/performance, to multiple costume changes, Jones captivated the audience with every move, proving that she still knows how to steal the spotlight. I personally am not too familiar with Grace Jones discography but she definitely left an impression as a top tier performer, at the age of 76 at that!
Standout Sets Beyond the Headliners: Fletcher, K.Flay, and More
While the headliners grabbed plenty of attention, Outside Lands 2024 delivered a treasure trove of performances that kept festival-goers buzzing. Fletcher had the crowd in the palm of her hand with a vocal performance that was as emotionally raw as it was powerful. She laid it all out on the stage, creating an electrifying connection with the audience from the front row to the back. Out of all non-headliners Fletcher would be in my top 5 for best sets of the entire festival. K.Flay, meanwhile, brought a fierce almost “f***k you” energy (in a good way) with her unique blend of rock and hip-hop, driving the crowd wild with hits like “Blood in the Cut” and “Black Wave.” Her stage presence and energy stuck out the most compared to all other artists I was able to catch. Paul Cauthen’s country rockstar voice cut through the San Francisco fog, offering a dose of country-rock swagger that added a soulful depth to the festival’s eclectic mix. His performance brought a taste of Texas to the West Coast for sure.
Shaboozey also made a big splash on Friday with his highly anticipated set. His performance had the crowd engaged from the start, with “Horses and Hellcats” to everyones favorite “At the bar getting tipsy”. Which congrats to him, the song was #1 on the Billboard for 5 weeks & went #1 on Country Radio. His voice did seem to start fading through his set but seemed to hold on till his set finished.
Shaboozey also made a big splash on Friday with his highly anticipated set. His performance had the crowd engaged from the start, with “Horses and Hellcats” to everyones favorite “At the bar getting tipsy”. Which congrats to him, the song was #1 on the Billboard for 5 weeks & went #1 on Country Radio His voice did seem to start fading through his set but seemed to hold on till his set finished.
The Japanese House provided an almost magical escape, it was an ethereal and relaxing experience to say the least. It's amazing how they were able to create a serene atmosphere that transports you to a dreamlike state, making it a moment of tranquility in an otherwise bustling weekend. It was the perfect pause, allowing the crowd to recharge before diving back into the festival’s crazy energy, especially with Young The Giant following up. Teddy Swims didn’t just sing—he poured his heart out, connecting with the audience through his soulful voice and his ability to be really vulnerable on stage. Every note felt like it was meant for the listener alone, making his set one of the most intimate of the weekend. Young the Giant had the crowd jamming along to every one of their anthems, proving once again why they’re festival favorites. Their energy was infectious, turning the grassy fields of Golden Gate Park into a sea of dancing fans. And then there was Tyla, who, despite being 35 mins late, delivered a fiery performance. There was mixed reactions I overheard while heading over to catch Renee Rapp, some people were glad she had only played about 3-4 songs considering those were the only ones they knew and they wanted to see Renee, while of course others were upset because they wanted to see more and waited 35 mins for just a few songs.
2024’s iteration showed that Outside Lands isn’t just about the headliners or the lineup in general. It’s about the experience, the community, and the magic that happens when music, art, and nature collide in San Francisco’s beloved Golden Gate Park. Whether you were there for the big names, the rising stars, or just to soak in the atmosphere, this year’s Outside Lands was a testament to why it's one of the biggest festivals in the country.
