Outside Lands 2018 is finally here — and if you’re overwhelmed by the sheer number of great acts playing and need some help figuring out who to see earlier in the day, I’ve got you.
I know you’re not dumb. I’m not going to sit here and tell you to circle Florence + The Machine, Janelle Monae, N.E.R.D., Bon Iver, and James Blake. You hopefully already beat me to it. But early in the day, there’s a lot to sort through. So cycle through what I deem to be the nine can’t miss early-afternoon Outside Lands 2018 undercard acts below.
But also, more than anything, have a great fucking time. It’s going to be mid-60s temperature all weekend long, and there’s nothing sweeter than going to a music festival and needing a sweatshirt instead of sweating balls.
Check out the new Grass Lands (though no weed available on site). Climb the North Face wall like my eight-year-old niece did last year. Check out ChocoLands. See some comedy. Catch all the great music. Enjoy the weekend!
FRIDAY
Margo Price
2:45 to 3:30 PM, Sutro Stage
There are few people as bad ass as Margo Price in the world today. Don’t believe me? Margo sells weed grinders at her shows (I only discovered this because my new roommate has one — it’s handy). Her 2017 album All American Made is different than any country-adjacent record I’ve ever heard. In interviews about the record she noted it was influenced by Tom Petty and it really comes through in the live setting. She’s a perfect Friday kickoff to Outside Lands, and it’s a great spot to just “get to the point and roll another joint” like Tom would’ve wanted.
Nick Mulvey
12:15 to 1 PM, Sutro Stage
Mulvey’s set comes as part of his second jaunt to North America for the English singer-songwriter, who calls to mind Ben Howard with his tunes. He dropped an EP in May as a follow-up to 2017’s sophomore album Wake Up Now. It has intricate guitar-picking in that Howard and Jose Gonzalez meld but with a unique take on it. I haven’t seen him live yet. But I’m betting his style lends itself well to being a blissful way to kick things off as the sun starts to make an appearance at Golden Gate Park. Make sure you get to the festival early enough Friday to catch some of his set. If you’re in LA and fearing FOMO for not being at Outside Lands, catch his Lodge Room show on Thursday, Aug. 9.
Lucy Dacus
3:05 to 3:40 PM at Cocktail Magic Stage
6:05 to 6:45 PM at Panhandle Stage
One 2018 album that needs to be talked about more is Dacus’ brilliant sophomore opus Historian that dropped in March. With a sound that crosses the singer-songwriter feel of David Bazan of Pedro the Lion with the grunge vibes of Torres, Dacus knows how to mix things up. Dacus’ angelic voice makes the depth of the songwriting much easier to swallow, as she pulls from life experiences for her songs. She was one of my favorite festival discoveries last year when I got a chance to see her early in the day at Boston Calling 2017. You’ve got two chances to see her at Outside Lands so don’t fuck it up.
