Just as expected, Outside Lands 2022 was a non-stop three day extravaganza that celebrated not only the best art, food, beer and wine that the Bay Area has to offer, but also the return of live music and our city's enduring devotion towards this magnificent local festival.
With over 100 of the biggest and hottest names in music gracing our Golden Gate Park, each of the days elicited several immensely electrifying moments and unforgettable memories exclusive to Outside Lands only. We have a few of the key highlights that occured throughout the weekend that truly created festival's magic and will be honored for the years to come.
See also: Crash-Course On The SF Bay's Hip Hop Scene, Preeminent Artists, And Signature Hyphy Sound
Oliver Tree Playfully Storms off Stage
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A prominent character in both the creative music scene and internet sphere, Oliver Tree's afternoon performance at the Land's End stage was the perfect confluence of theatrics, artistic prowess, and comedic entertainment. Aside from powerfully delivering his hits of “Life Goes On” and "Hurt," he also supplemented his vibrant set with colorful outfit changes, elaborate props, encouraging a mosh pit, and a dramatic act where he stormed off the stage to rile up his audience to become more lively. The highlight here is Oliver's ability to create an interactive performance with banters that playfully admonishes his fans to keep them engaged and become even more hyped.
Lil Uzi Vert Cares for a Fan
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Following Oliver Tree at Land's End was Lil Uzi Vert's fast-paced and high octane barrage of fan-favorite hits. The crowd here matched Vert's intensity when ripping through “XO TOUR Llif3,” and “Sauce It Up,” just as a member of the crowd attempted to rush onto the stage halfway through the show. This created a divergent spectacle to which Vert effortlessly calmed both the crowd and man with a 30 second pause to take a photo using his phone. Vert's repeating of "Don't hurt him, don't hurt him!" showcased a valiant effort to care for his audience that resonated with the crowd's emotions as much as his evocative rap.
Disclosure Entrances Their Longtime Fans
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Many filled the Sutro Stage Friday evening to hear the catchy house rhythms of British duo Disclosure. They kicked off their entrancing vibes with their early "F For You" and "White Noise" from their first album. This was a groovy show with striking sky lasers and a consistent thumping beat that pulsated between all of their albums, with additions from their latest Energy album from 2020.
Phoebe Bridgers Dives into the Crowd
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A divisive scenario of Friday night was having to decide between Phoebe Bridgers at the Twin Peaks stage, and SZA at the Land's End stage at the park's antipode. For those who chose to experience Phoebe's delightfully serene and heartfelt ballads, they were given all of her hits. Starting with the ever-popular "Motion Sickness," she continued to transition smoothly to others like "Garden Song" with sardonic quips preceeding each one. "Who has a complex relationship with their dad?" was a fun one that garnered plenty of agreeing noise, along with her current events critiques like, “it’s nice to have a good time while we watch the world burn around us.” An unforgettable close to her show came with her ending to "I Know The End," which she dove into the crowd for, creating another iconic variation to her guitar-smashing at SNL.
SZA Takes Us to Sea
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Those at the other end of the park received an absolute full SZA treat. An enormous crowd packed in for this brilliant headliner, who created both a turbulent and intimate atmosphere with a sea-themed background that synchronized with her emotional hits. "Supermodel," "Broken Clocks," "I Hate U" and "Doves in the Wind" were just a few of the most exciting renditions, enhanced by her personal anecdotes and statements before each one. “Rights are being taken away, I heard the Earth is spinning like twice as fast as it once was," the 32-year-old superstar proclaimed when noting how not normal times are before her song, "Normal Girl."
It was a performance that engaged the crowd and left them all reverent of both the times and of their personal relationships, putting a satisfyingly sweet cap on the just the first night of this jam-packed festival.
Phil Rosenthal Throws Fruit
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At the GastroMagic Culinary Stage Saturday afternoon, beloved travel and food host Phil Rosenthal of his Netflix masterpiece "Somebody Feed Phil" was joined by his daughter Lily, and Tik Tok cooking sensation Salt Hank for a demonstration on a Chicken Parm sandwich and more. In his natural comedic fashion, Phil kept the crowd laughing, taking selfies with his devoted fans, answering popular questions like, "how do you stay in shape?" and "how's Richard?" (a joke on his comical rivalry with his brother). A key moment was him answering if he loves San Francisco, which he immediately said yes to with confidence while also recalling his SF episode in season four. He also threw plenty of the stage's real fruit such as mangoes, lemons, and tomatoes that weren't part of Chef Hank's cooking, to which the audience excitedly caught.
Mac DeMarco Serenades and Screams
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As a true fan of the Bay Area, Mac Demarco showed genuine excitement to return and play his hits of "Freaking Out the Neighborhood," "Chamber of Reflection," "Passing Out Pieces," and more. "We cancelled a lot of shows but it means a lot to me to be here," he divulged to his Land's End masses in between his playful remarks and jolting screams that proved he could both calm you with his mellow crooning and keep you on your toes in true unpredictable Mac fashion.
Rina Sawayama Performs Her New Album for the First Time
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Queer pop icon Rina Sawayama slayed the Twin Peaks stage, enthralling her stans with her mesmerizing dance moves and catchy hits both emotional and vogue-inspired. She effortlessly strutted across the stage in intricate choreography while flawlessly performing hits off of her debut album Sawayama, like the explosive "Dynasty" and "STFU!" and catchy "XS" and "Comme Des Garcons." While also admittedly nervous, she courageously unveiled performances off of her upcoming new album Hold the Girl, a triumphant and exclusive first for both her and Outside Lands.
Kali Uchis Powers Through Technical Difficulties
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Later on at the Twin Peaks stage was another pop songstress, Kali Uchis. She began her headlining act with three groovy showstoppers of "10%," "Rush," and "Loner," all amid an elegant palatial background and in a seductively regal white ensemble. Her sultry femininity exuded through all of her Spanish and English hits, also proving her perseverance by powering through several technical issues to deliver "Fue Mejor" and "telepatia." After struggling with her mic pack and not being able to hear herself, she ultimately ended her set 10 minutes early, though she was able to still successfully provide sharp choreography and smooth singing.
Green Day Brings a Guitar Prodigy Onto Stage
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The incredible induction of Green Day to Outside Lands was perhaps the most highly-anticipated act, and the 30+ year old band tremendously did not disappoint! With fireworks, flames, audience invitations to stage, and several encouraging chants, Green Day supercharged the packed crowd, blasting their longtime fans with all of their hits nonstop. "American Idiot," "Holiday," "Know Your Enemy," "Welcome to Paradise," and more all played smoothly back-to-back, each ending with unexpectedly invigorating fireworks and other fiery theatrics. An unforgettable and life-changing moment was when he asked the audience for a guitarist, pulling up a 10 year old boy who radiantly stole the show with his stellar performance of Operation Ivy's "Knowledge."
100 Gecs Collabs with Binging with Babish
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It may be hard to top the previous two days, but Sunday was just as electric. A fun and unexpected collaboration came with hyperpop duo 100 Gecs teaming up with YouTube cooking mastermind Binging with Babish at the GastroMagic Culinary Stage.
Kim Petras Is Confidently Sex-Positive
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Blonde bombshell Kim Petras at the Twin Peaks stage rocked a military-chic outfit while bolstering sex positivity with hits off of her newest Slut Pop album. As a prominent trans pop star icon, several fans were in attendance to dance to her confidence-inspiring and female-empowering anthems of "Superpower Bitch," "XXX," and "Throat Goat."
Weezer Revives Y2K Nostalgia
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As another early 2000's nostalgic spectacular, Weezer sounded no different now at the huge Land's End stage than when they first performed their much-adored "Hashpipe," "Beverly Hills," "Say It Ain't So," "Island In The Sun," and more.
Post Malone Performs 18 Songs Without Missing a Beat
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Post Malone ignited the night with his pyrotechnics and consistently evocative belting of 18 of his hits. He truly made Outside Lands his own through both acoustic, and high energy rap, rounding out the night with a jaw-dropping "Congratulations."
Mitski Closes the Night with a Passionate Bang
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Lastly, those who didn't see Post Malone or Illenium came to chill out with Mitski. with her dedicated followers singing "Nobody," "Washing Machine Heart," and "I Bet On Losing Dogs," all word for word, her performance was much more intimate, emotional, and a fantastically heartfelt way to close out all three nights.
There were so many more amazing performances from Jack Harlow, Dominic Fike, Flamingosis, Pusha T, and more, and we're excited to see who fills the lineup next year!
See also: Our Key Transportation Guide For Getting To Outside Lands 2022
Photography by: Alive Coverage
