Outside Lands - Broken Social Scene

Canadians, everywhere... and they blend in, just like us! This humongous, ever-evolving super group from Toronto brought more than just the sun out the last day of Outside Lands in San Francisco. The band had a huge crowd screaming in celebration of life and love. Best quote I've seen regarding Broken Social Scene: it's like going to the orchestra for the slacker generation."

Photo & Words ~ Dru

Outside Lands - Rodrigo y Gabriela

Master guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela showed off their gypsy flair, rocking flamenco and Mexico City roots the third and final day of Outside Lands in San Francisco, playing many songs from their most recent release, 2006’s Rodrigo y Gabriela. They also teased the crowd with excerpts of Metallica, Extreme, The White Stripes and finally an inspired version of Stairway to Heaven, also from the latest record.

Photo & Words ~ Dru

Outside Lands - Sunday - Sharon Jones

No one was safe from Sharon Jones of Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, who brought the traditional spirit of funk and soul to the final day of Outside Lands. She dominated the stage with blistering, howling vocals and an ecstatic performance. A number of backstage guests as well as audience members were commanded on stage, like this young man, whom she serenaded and dirty-danced with. "He's young," she said, "but I can show him."

Photo & Words ~ Dru

Outside Lands - Saturday - Happy B-Day to Kaki King

Kaki King nearing the end of her set at Outside Lands was surprised when the audience turned the tables and sang her a round of Happy Birthday. She said she'd remember the moment forever. She and the band will be back in San Francisco Oct 23 at the Independent and Oct 24 at the Fillmore with the Mountain Goats for the Last Happy Night Of Your Life Tour.

Photo & Words ~ Dru

Outside Lands - Friday

Northern California Bay Area festival Outside Lands kicked off Friday, Aug 25 in Golden Gate park to a crowd numbering over 60,000. A concert of this magnitude has not seen the light (or fog) of day in San Francisco since the proverbial Summer of Love over 40 years ago. Opening night saw some of the biggest draw bands such as Beck and headliners Radiohead, which were the first band in the park's history to ever play after dark (and who blew the power. Twice). A wide range of acts also performed, such as heavy bluesmen The Black Keys, reggae giants Steel Pulse, and Berkeley-based rapper Lyrics Born... a historic testament to the birth city of the band that started festival touring-- The Grateful Dead-- and the legendary concert promoter-- Bill Graham-- that changed live music forever. 

Photo & Words ~ Dru

Radiohead - Thom Yorke

Beck

The Black Keys

Photos by: Photos by Jeff Kravitz