Outside Lands 2024 was an experience to remember, offering a unique blend of music, art, and culinary experiences in the iconic setting of Golden Gate Park. With over 15 years under its belt, the festival has honed its reputation as one of the most well-organized events in the Bay Area. This year, the lineup had something special for EDM fans, particularly those who enjoy house music.
The Bay Area festival featured a great selection of electronic artists, including Griffin, Chris Lake, Kaytranada, SIDEPIECE, Snakehips, Seth Troxler, and Knock2. While we couldn’t catch every set, Knock2‘s performance stood out with its energy and crowd engagement. However, the real highlight for us was Daily Bread. While he performed on the smallest stage, he had the largest impact, captivating the audience with his unique sound and vibe.
Outside Lands isn’t just about the music. The festival also showcased over 100 local food vendors, catering to a wide range of diets, from vegan to gluten-free. The food options were diverse, but our favorite meal of the weekend was the mac and cheese from Total Meltdown in the Grass Lands area. The crispy cheese topping took it to the next level, and the generous portion was perfect for sharing. Our favorite sweet treat was the FroYo at FroGo, which was also big enough to share.
The festival’s setting in Golden Gate Park added to the overall experience. Surrounded by trees and art installations, including sculptures and graffiti-style murals, attendees could feel a deep connection to nature while being in the heart of a big city. The art was a highlight, with various interactive and visually stunning pieces scattered throughout the grounds. Businesses also set up engaging booths, like the serene ocean room at the White Whale Gin pop-up, offering a peaceful escape from the festival’s busy atmosphere.
For those 21 and over, Outside Lands offered specially curated areas like Wine Lands, Beer Lands, and Grass Lands. Each provided a distinct experience and a variety of vendors, making them feel like mini-festivals within the larger event. These areas had a more relaxed atmosphere, offering a nice contrast to the main stages.
When it comes to transportation, driving in is not recommended due to limited parking and heavy traffic. Instead, we suggest taking public transit or the festival shuttles from Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, which made the journey smooth and quick. Leaving a bit early also helped us avoid the post-festival rush.
While EDM might not be the first genre that comes to mind when you think of Outside Lands, this year’s house-heavy lineup made it a must-visit for dance music lovers. We really enjoyed the chill atmosphere and its connection to nature, as well as the variety of cool experiences and great food throughout the Bay Area festival’s grounds. If you’re a fan of house music and like a more chill festival vibe, Outside Lands is definitely worth adding to your festival list for next year!
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