San Francisco's iconic Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival returns this year after an expected cancelation in 2020 and an anxious delay earlier this year that pushed the event out to Halloween weekend for the first time. With the well-behaved Bay Area having had some of the strictest health mandates in the country this past year and a half, Outside Lands, along with the magic of All Hallows Eve, is set to provide an overdue level of cathartic release for festival fans.
This year's lineup is stacked. With headlining acts like Lizzo, Tame Impala, and The Strokes, Outside Lands 2021 is set to be a truly memorable experience. But beyond the obvious "Can't-Miss Acts" such as Sofi Tukker, Nicola Cruz, Young Thug, Kaytranada, Khruangbin, EARTHGANG, Walker and Royce, and more; here are a few not-so-obvious acts that require you to forgo that exhaustive Lobster Roll line this year so you can make it to these stages in time.
1.) Bartees Strange – Friday / SUTRO Stage – 1:25 PM – 2:10 PM
Friday afternoon openers are always the most challenging acts to catch, especially for weekend warriors who drive out to SF. Outside Lands is making a statement right off the bat with this multi-talented D.C. singer, musician, and badass rock star. With the lyrical prowess of Leonard Cohen, the complex songwriting of Flying Lotus, and the melodic awareness of Paul McCartney, Bartees Strange creates a sonic experience that's incredibly evocative and in-your-face rocking all at the same time.
2.) Noga Erez – Saturday / SUTRO Stage / 1:55 PM – 2:40 PM
The Tel Aviv bass-heavy pop maven, Noga Erez, is a mesmerizing act full of quick-witted, politically charged lyrics delivered through an endless drip of charm and swagger. Fans that make it to this set will be privy to a pounding bass and waves of various orchestral sounds trying desperately to combat the tyrannical lyricists on the mic.
3.) The Hu – Friday / LANDS END Stage / 1:15 PM – 2:05 PM
The Hu is a Mongolian folk rock meets heavy metal band with formal training at the Mongolian State Music and Dance Conservatory that sing in their native tongue through the ancient art of khoomei (throat singing). They shred using traditional instruments such as the morin khuur (a two-stringed, horse-head fiddle), the tuvshuur (a Mongolian tin guitar) and a tumor khuur (a jaw harp). I mean, what else do you really need to know?
4.) Marc Rebillet – Saturday / SUTRO Stage / 7:10 PM – 8:00 PM
Few artists were able to glow up harder during this pandemic more so than Marc Rebillet. His painfully funny and inescapably catchy YouTube videos racked up millions of views from fans seeking comedic relief during such a dark time. Having already collaborated with major artists like Erykah Badu, Rebillet's set at Outside Lands is anticipated to be one of the most entertaining and blushworthy dance parties of the weekend.
5.) Moses Sumney – Friday / SUTRO Stage / 4:00 PM – 4:50 PM
While San Francisco's Fall rain has thankfully passed, for now, people can still expect a flood of tears pouring from the hearts and souls of fans touched by the mesmerizing falsettos of the angelic vocalist Moses Sumney. While most fans are ready to dust off their dance shoes and release their pent-up energy to some high-octane music, Sumney will provide the cathartic opportunity to surrender yourself to the dazzling sounds of live instrumentals and a seraphic vocal range.
6.) DRAMA – Friday / SUTRO Stage / 5:20 PM – 6:10 PM
Well, this is easy; hold down your great spot from the Moses Sumney set at the Sutro Stage and make your friends run to grab you a drink, and you can stay for DRAMA. While DRAMA would certainly be considered a more obvious can't miss act to talk about, I will mention a not-so-obvious fact that deserves additional Bay Area support. While their hit breakout album 'Gallows' garnered admiration from critics and fans around the world, followed by a sold-out tour for their sophomore album 'Dance Without Me' should be reason enough to not miss this bewitching electro-R&B duo, they also happen to be local Bay Area, small business owners. Outside of crafting ethereal and moody synth-laced tracks, the band opened a restaurant in San Francisco's Knob Hill neighborhood called Chisme. So, dance away to shimmering sounds, and soulful vocals all while supporting local business owners at the same time
7.) SG Lewis – Friday / SUTRO Stage / 6:40 PM – 7:30 PM
I didn't even do this on purpose, I swear, but since you've already claimed an incredible spot at the SUTRO Stage for Moses Sumney and DRAMA, you might as well stick it out for SG Lewis. And SG Lewis is another artist that is by no means new to your playlists, but he has had a remarkable skyrocketing trajectory since his 2015 'Shivers' EP. An honorary artist of San Francisco, with performances at almost every dance venue/music hall in the city that you can think of, SG Lewis returns with a wealth of exciting new music for fans to listen to. Unless you've been keeping close track of his work this past year, then you may be unaware that he's been diligently in the studio producing some of the most innovative dance music coming out right now; all while collaborating with an army of incredible artists like Nile Rodgers, Robyn, Channel Tres, Elton John, Lucky Dave, and more.
8) LP Giobbi – Sunday / SOMA Tent / 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
LP Giobbi is another act on this list whose professional trajectory is climbing at a 90-degree angle. Not only is this piano-wielding multi-instrumentalist pushing the boundaries of modern house music, but she also heads up a thriving non-profit organization battling the lack of representation and equity in electronic music (FEMMEHOUSE). Her intoxicatingly radiant stage presence and her unrelenting on-stage musical performances have left memorable impressions overseas of fans at festivals like HARD, Moogfest, EDC, Coachella, and more. You can expect her to do the same this weekend as she continues to be one of the most exciting new acts in dance music to follow.
While all the artists above will be on my personal "music critic" radar this weekend, I, of course, will be making a point to check out the local acts performing for their hometown fans like Rexx Life Raj, Madeline Kenney, Brijean, Boy Scouts, mxmtoon and more.
Tickets for this year's festival are currently sold out but 3-day VIP and Single Day VIP tickets featuring a unique experience crafted by iconic San Francisco designer Ken Fulk are still on sale. Buy Tickets Here
