This year's SF OSL was my first music festival and I LOVED it! The event was held at Golden Gate Park, which by the way, makes for a beautiful backdrop. I had a wonderful experience at the festival... there's something about tens of thousands of people having a good time wanting to listen to live music (no, not like Woodstock). We saw the best and worst of the weather, going from hot humid to freezing by the third day. The following are pictures and reviews of what I saw, heard, touched, drank, ate, etc.
Day 1: Incubus
The first act I saw. To be honest, I do not remember it well because I showed up in the middle of the show and strangely, the San Francisco weather decided to be hot and humid-- ick! I also haven't heard about Incubus.. I don't know.. since high school? I'm not saying they were bad-- they were good.
Day 1: Pearl Jam
Plaid shirts, jean shorts and dock martens... that was the attire for Eddie Vedder taking me back to the 90s. Pearl Jam closed the first night and they rocked, however, all I saw were shoulders of guys-- remember I'm short? What I thought was funny was how many guys were in the audience singing along and really getting into the concert! Guys who were in their late 20s - 30s. P.S. Eddie played TWO tambourines... there's a special place in my heart for tambourine players.
Day 2: Things to do...
One of the best parts of OSL are the booths and different tents. The Beatles were there-- in spirit inside the Beatles Rock Band tent. We were able to rock out to the Beatles tunes before the game was released. Barbary also set up a tent with a sort of tricked out burlesque singer. She had some diRRty lyrics!
The mood was happy... fellow outsidelanders were happy... there was an end of the world puppet show... huh?!?
Day 2: Mr. Tony, Toni, Tone... or is it Lucy Pearl?
Oakland native Raphael Saadiq brought the funk to OSL. His new album which he actually uses his real name is more funk and Motown style. It was entertaining and this white couple next to me were so into it... haha.. I love it! They were cute. I secretly wished Raphael Saadiq would have sang "Feels Good" or "Anniversary" or "It Never Rains in Southern California" -- basically become Tony, Toni, Tone again.
Day 2: Jason Mraz... I'm Yours.
Just close your eyes, relax and groove... that's what Jason Mraz's show is like. He sings about love, life and happiness... I felt like we all should've been holding hands and swaying in unison. It made me happy :) Jason Mraz is a good performer because he really engages the crowd. My favorite part of the performance was when he said, "All the short people sing." He also gave a little shout out to Bob Marley... my ultimate feel good music. We all sang, "Baby don't worry, about a thing. Every little thing, is gonna be alright" and I believed him. haha.
Day 2: Tonight's Gonna Be a Goooood Night! Black Eyed Peas
Black Eyed Peas opened for Dave Matthews Band. What can I say about BEP I haven't said... nothing. Here's some photos. BTW... I just noticed that Will.I.Am spells WILLIAM! haha!
Day 2: Sittin' on top of the world with my legs hanging free... Dave Matthews Band (my reason for being here)
The moment I found out DMB was going to be at the festival, it was a must that I attend. DMB is one of my all time favorite bands and they are the best band to watch live. They are incredible musicians. They sang a lot of the songs they typically sing at their live shows like "Stay or Leave," "Lie in Our Graves" and my favorite "Ants Marching." Dave is really strange... he told the audience they reeked and he loved the smell of dirty underwear-- gross. I like to think that was code for pot because that's all I smelled all weekend long.
One of the highlights and I would say an epic concert moment was when Dave brought out Black Eyed Peas to sing and dance battle. Dave dance battling a BEP member - comedy. Unfortunately I don't have a picture of that once in a lifetime event... but here's a different picture.
If you have not seen DMB live go watch them live. I was not a huge fan until I saw them live. Now I'm hooked. P.S. Carter Beuford: kick ass drummer.
DMB also played songs from their new album which was dedicated to the late LeRoi Moore, their saxophonist. The band isn't the same without him, but his replacement did LeRoi justice.
Day 3: Big Light and Cage the Elephant - let's body surf
On the third day of the festival, San Francisco finally showed it's true colors - it was cloudy and freezing. The first show I saw of the day was a band called Big Light. I've never heard of them and to be honest I can't remember what they sounded like.
The second band I saw was Cage the Elephant. I have never heard of them before either but according to Bethany she read somewhere that this band was a must see at Coachella. So we saw them. They were very lively... especially the lead singer. The best part was his body surfing... he had some good hang time. They sounded punk/hardrock... I think. I really should've written this right after OSL.
Day 3: What's Art? Are We Art? Is Art, Art? Pretty things at OSL
After all, this also was an art festival and there were some pretty cool stuff hanging around... like fish in the forest...
...or bird sculptures fashioned out of small paintings. I loved these... a good representation of love, peace and music.
It wouldn't be SF if it weren't green :) P.S. Toyota had the best booths because the had a photo booth, arts and crafts for souvenirs and silk screened canvas tote bags.
Day 3: Fun, crazy and scary...
Gooferman - scary clowns. The stage dancers molested a rubber chicken and drank what was made to look like windex out of a windex bottle during the performance. Scary clowns come to life. They sounded heavy metal-goth(ish)... but like I said, I should've written this earlier because my memory is rusty.
The Intel ladies with blue juice and my concert buddies!
At OSL, you stand and walk A LOT. If you want a good spot for a show, you better stake your spot! And once you do, forget about trying to go to the bathroom (or in this case porter potties).
Day 3: A Good 'Ol Fashion Nightmare and The Show - Matt & Kim and Lenka
I was looking forward to seeing Matt and Kim. I do not think they sound great live, but they are very funny and very likable. They really can't put on a big production, after all, there's only two of them! No back ups, nothing. Two people, one keyboard and a small drumkit. Matt makes all the guitar noises and everything else on the keyboard. I also learned a new term from Kim - Hoochie Hoops (aka hoop earrings which I wear ALL the time!).
P.S. My favorite songs out of Matt & Kim's new album, "Daylight" and "Good 'Ol Fashion Nightmare."
I first heard Lenka while I was in Bloomingdales in SF. The store played "The Show" and at first I thought it was cheesy, then heard it again and I really like Lenka. Plus she's got great style. I didn't get to watch her entire show, but in my opinion, she had the best outfit :). She's kind of like Lily Allen minus the sass.
Day 3: A Little too Modest Mouse
I don't know if they're being too modest, socially awkward or total jerks... but Modest Mouse does not know how to put on a live performance. Musically, they're phenomenal live-- but they said "hello" to the audience 40 minutes into the show. I felt neglected. That was the only time they talked to audience or even really looked up until they were done and literally just said "thank you." wow. I don't even know why they do a live performance when live shows are all about music, and showmanship.
Day 3: No One on the Corner has Swagger Like MIA
MIA Delivered at OSL. She's fun, energetic, full of life and colorful much like her music. She was wearing this really cool dress that if you look closely is a tiger's head with the large shoulder pads as ears.
I was pretty close to the stage during MIA's performance which was great, but I was pushed up against this kids who just couldn't get enough of their pot and one of them was showing off to me how great he rolled his joint. Yeah. He's a real winner. During MIA's performance, she threw out these horns to the audience, I think I was the only person where in my area who didn't catch one.
From what I saw of MIA's performance at OSL, I'm guessing she puts on an amazing show in-doors with all the lights... She's definitely someone I would go see again. Tenacious D was the closing act at OSL... which I was really disappointed that they were chosen as a stand in for the Beastie Boys. I mean... at least get a band with the same caliber as the Beastie Boys! I saw about 20 minutes of Tenacious D. They were funny but I think they would be just as funny if I saw them on TV. By this time my feet were aching from three days of walking, standing, walking standing, I was freezing and tired, so we left.
OSL was so much fun and I have a lot of fond memories from those three days. Whenever I think about the summer, I think of OSL and wish I was there again :) I guess I'll just have to wait until next year.
Festival Facts
Venue: Golden Gate Park - San Francisco, CA
Seat: GA
Attended with: Danny and Bethany
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