Janelle Monáe performs at Outside Lands in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, August 12, 2018.
San Francisco weather. It’s an anomaly that often doesn’t make sense. One day, it’s sunny and hot as hell. The next, it’s windy and cold.
The final day of San Francisco’s three-day Outside Lands festival attracted fog and gusty winds. Still, people paid good money to have fun and kick back, wrapped all in sweatshirts. Already sore and tired, moving forward to the last day brought out the last of my energy. I decided to spice up my schedule, sticking to music acts and food trips.
Afie Jurvanen, also known as Bahamas, started off midday with an easy-going impression of very technical, wine country-like folk music with his band at the Sutro stage.
At the northern-most part of the Outside Lands grounds, Bahamas ripped high guitar notes a new one with his technical solos. Every note was on point and led me to a point of tranquility on a summer night in the valley.
Bahamas’ folk sound isn’t fast-paced, and it was a perfect way to regenerate a part of myself that died from lack of sleep the day before.
I stayed just behind the crowd, swaying back and forth to his bleak “No Depression.” Supported with a joyful melody, maybe this is what our times need; a day to relax and take it easy, even if your world is dark.
On this last day of a beautiful weekend, I couldn’t help but indulge in the sins of gluttony. Well, with a limit.
With 2018, Superfly, the company behind Outside Lands, brought on more food booths than I could count. I went with what I craved at the moment. Each day I ate something new and refreshing.
Up & Under Pub and Grill’s filling crazy waffle fries, The Little Chihuahua’s crispy flautas, and Rosamunde Sausage Grill’s savory sausage poutine helped feed the hungry mobs. Some smaller vendors struggled to put out enough food to meet demand without delays.
At 6:10 p.m., the sounds and visuals of Beavis and Butthead coming from the main stage speakers and screens carried loudly throughout the polo field, introducing Portugal. The Man.
Alternative Rock band Portugal. The Man from Arkansas unleashed a medley of classic rock and metal from bands like Pink Floyd and Metallica. Psychedelic closeup graphics of shimmering bubbles spread across on the middle screen, making me feel like I was tripping acid.
The band’s humor stuck out like the lead vocalist’s red beanie on stage. The giant center screen read:
“We are Portugal. The Man just making sure you’re at the right concert.”
“Modern Jesus” took over and my body would not stop moving. The catchy tune led by groovy keyboards and bass was their highlight.
At this point, though, the heavy fog rolled in even more and it was a struggle to focus on the music.
Before Portugal. The Man, Janelle Monáe was queen of Land’s End, quite literally.
Belting out funky signatures like “Make Me Feel” and “Electric Lady,” Monáe boogied with the audience and her dancers, all dressed in black and white-patterned jumpsuits.
During “Q.U.E.E.N.”, stagehands carried a throne to the top of the platform on the stage. With every step, the crowd grew into a bigger and bigger frenzy of delighted cries. Monáe’s infectious songs beat all the other Sunday acts, and she self-crowned herself as queen.
This weekend was a moment. August’s second weekend was a moment to let go; a moment to not think about work or life’s problems. From the smiling faces in the waves of fans to their hands swinging in the air, for those who love and those who like to have fun, Outside Lands 2018 was a success.
Last modified August 15, 2018 1:38 am
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