The music festival Outside Lands returned to the Golden Gate Park in 2022 (August 5-7) for another year of music, culture, art, and food. This year was packed with a lineup of performers and about as many local food and drink vendors, and the weather was tremendously beautiful, giving high 70’s. Headliners include SZA, Phoebe Bridgers, Disclosure, Green Day, Kali Uchis, Post Malone, Mitski, and Illenium, who will share the stage amongst other big-name acts, local musicians, and performers. Outside Lands attracts more than 220,000 fans and is definitely one of the largest, most popular and successful festivals in the country with about 4 main stages, and 4 mini stages that cover DJ’s and culinary acts.
Day 1 was surprisingly packed. Our day started with Odie, Duckwrth, Hiatus Kaiyote, Dayglow, Lil Uzi Vert, and headliner SZA up at the Lands End main stage. Glad I was able to capture some portrait shots of Dayglow outside before his set from the media tent, which was perfect timing.
Dayglow was filled with thousands of people at the Twin Peaks stage for Day 1, August 5th. He played his number one song on Spotify “Can I Call You Tonight” with over 382 million plays. He was an incredible performer and had a super summery vibe in the background. Dayglow’s music is a blend of alternative and indie pop. His music style is between Tame Impala and The Greeting Committee. Would you believe this man is only 22? Crazy!!
SZA’s performance was absolutely insane. Her set was as big as Tyler, the Creator’s set from when he also headlined in 2021. It was giving lighthouse boat flowery vibes. She was on top of her little lighthouse for the first two songs. She performed hits from her debut ‘Ctrl’. SZA sang “Love Galore”, “Miles”, “Normal Girl”, and her unreleased single “Shirt” as fans sang along.
Let’s get on to Day 2: We were able to capture Benny Sings, Robert Glaspher (who was featured in songs with H.E.R, Music Soulchild, Terrace Martin, and 9th Wonder), San Francisco’s very own Larry June, Jack Harlow, and headliner Kali Uchis at the Twin Peaks stage. Benny Sings performed at the Sutro stage. He is a creative songwriter, producer, and artist from Amsterdam. His music style has a vibe between Jordan Rakei and Mayer Hawthorne. Benny Sings music blends genres to create catchy melodies and groovy vibes.
Headliner, Kali Uchis, took over the Twin Peaks with a bang. She performed songs from her ‘Sin Miedo’ and ‘Isolation’ album, with a remix vibe of my favorite featured song ‘Sad Girlz Luv Money’. Super hyped!! She put on a fantastic show, with great vocals (despite the technical issues at the beginning of her set), she had an intense stage presence. From the stage lighting to the high energy choreography along with her backup dancers.
Lastly, we head to Day 3. The last day of the 3-day festival, was a bit exhausting yet bittersweet covering Tyla Yaweh, Amber Mark, Pusha T, Dominic Fike (the handsome man from Euphoria), and one of the headliners, Post Malone. They all took over the Lands End main stage with over 20k people. I’ve never seen Amber Mark and Dominic Fike perform live before, and I just want to say, hands down, they were both outstanding performers.
Amber Mark performed many of my top favorites “Lose My Cool” and “Mixer”, to name a couple. She also performed her rendition of the ‘Thong Song’ by Sisqo. I’ve been following her for the past few years and watching her obvious talent grow and evolve. Amber’s melodic phrasing sets her apart. She was beautiful and filled with ecstatic energy along with her band. Her music is the embodiment of “bringing light out of the darkness”. Her music was felt. She is such a great grounded artist! Check her out!
The only time I’ve seen Dominic Fike was on the second season of Euphoria, but never on stage. His stage presence was as pretty as a picture. His music gives a 2000’s alternative pop to it. Very nostalgic. Dominic Fike with the vocals and Blu DeTiger playing bass was a big surprise for many people.
Day 3 headliner, Post Malone, rapper and singer, ended the night with probably more than 25k people because the way it took me more than 10 minutes to get out of the photo pit to exit through the crowd of fans was insane. It was just as packed and wild as it was for Green Day from Day Two. Posty’s stage presence was filled with fire, lots of stage lights, thousands of phones shot up from thousands of fans, and beer, lol. He was killing it, he was a true rockstar on that stage! I love seeing musicians showing mad love to their fans. 10/10
If you weren’t able to make it out this year, don’t worry Outside Lands will be returning August 11-13, 2023. In the meantime, check out our photo recap below. Enjoy!
Words and photos by Kayla de Guzman.
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