As the fog turned to rain and then back to fog, the ominous tone set by the weather created a fitting mood for a climactic end to the festival. The third day of Outside Lands largely focused on genres born in our own backyard. From living legends with decades of experience revolutionizing their genres to fresh faces who have seemingly appeared out of nowhere to define this year’s summer soundtrack, there was an undeniable spotlight on artists representing their roots in the American Midwest and South.
Playing early on the Lands End stage, Texas neotraditional country artist Paul Cauthen brought infectious energy and a welcome hint of Southern irreverence. With a deep, resonant, and almost operatic voice that served as his vehicle to deliver his unique style of music to San Francisco, Cauthen began his set with gusto, opening with his recent hit 'Hot Damn.' His demeanor, coupled with the lyrics of songs like 'Country as Fu(k,' culminated in a show reminiscent of the late Toby Keith, setting the tone for the day to come.
Drawing arguably the biggest audience of the entire weekend, Midwest artist and rising phenomenon Chappell Roan packed the Polo Grounds to capacity with her midday show on the Lands End stage. In the moments before the performance, a marching band was broadcast on the screen, walking around the grounds and covering the artist’s songs, foreshadowing the upcoming set. Largely defined by her creative costume choices, Roan did not fall short of expectations for her Bay Area performance, wearing the same wardrobe from her career-defining 'Hot To Go' music video, which had been released exactly one year prior. Her setlist did not disappoint, featuring a full array of staple hits from 'Pink Pony Club' to 'Femininomenon,' as well as the debut of her newest single 'Subway' from her upcoming album. A person of the people, Roan made a point of noting the differences between classes, calling out the VIP section for not dancing with the same passion as those in General Admission, screeching into her microphone, 'You’re not fun!' in displeasure.
Juxtaposed with the young blood of the next generation of music, some artists proved they could redefine themselves even decades into their careers. Known largely for his role as the lyrical powerhouse behind the hip hop duo Run the Jewels, Atlanta-born Grammy winner Killer Mike delivered a soulful, gospel-inspired performance across the park at the Twin Peaks stage, offering a window into his gentle soul. Displaying his lyrical prowess early on, he emerged onstage in all-white clothing to open his show with his 2023 hit 'DOWN BY LAW.' His set then took a turn more in line with the artist’s roots, as the show almost transformed into a spiritual revolution. Taking a significant portion of his set to introduce the half-dozen vocalists onstage alongside him, he allowed each artist to have their moment in the limelight, performing a solo to the crowd as they gave their name. Killer Mike acknowledged his evolution and venture into gospel music midway through the set, announcing, 'I don’t know what’s going to happen next in my career, but I’m happy to be on this damn fine stage with y’all people… I hope you’ve had a unique and genuine experience today… all I want to do is enrich us all.' Paying homage to the musical roots of the Bay Area, he made sure to give a shoutout to local artists E-40 and Too Short, acknowledging the history of the city he was performing in.
Closing out the night and the weekend, Outlaw Country veteran Sturgill Simpson sent fans off into the night with a deeply personal and emotionally evocative set. While this was the artist’s first time at the Outside Lands festival, he quickly acknowledged his previous performances in Golden Gate Park, noting the two times he headlined at the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival in years past. After a short harmonica solo introduced the performance, the bright lights sharply appeared as Simpson came onstage to begin the evening with his 2013 single 'Railroad of Sin.' In appreciation for the crowd who stayed despite the inclement weather, he announced, 'Get hearty, motherfuckers. Rain’s coming.' The artist’s presence created a transformative experience, and while he may have been playing on one of the largest stages in California, the show felt as intimate as a small gig at a local dive, with the scent of Marlboro Reds wafting through the crowd, adding to the rustic ambiance. Simpson took a break from the fast-paced tone of the performance with a sentimental cover of When in Rome’s 1988 hit 'The Promise,' the lyrics taking on a new and personal meaning coming from his voice. Characterized by long, flowing guitar solos, he surprised no one when he declared, 'We’re going to rock the fuck out real quick if that’s alright with y’all,' before launching into a rendition of his 2019 hit 'Fastest Horse in Town.' He ended the weekend on a high note, sending his fans home with a quick and heavy slice of country life, closing with his 2016 classic 'Call to Arms' to punctuate his time in San Francisco.
Check out more photos of Outside Lands Day 3.
