Outside Lands 2018: The Weeknd, Janet Jackson, Florence and the Machine Top This Year’s Festival

Adi Mehta

The eleventh annual Outside Lands festival will take place in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park on Aug. 10-12. It will boast three days of music from an impressively diverse and star-studded lineup, along with art installations, comedy, and curated selections of food, wine, and beer from the Bay Area. This is a bit a more on the, let’s say, normal end of music fests — no camping or any of that, so leave your steampunk attire, glowsticks, amulets, and giant tents at home, but feel free to bring backpacks and small coolers.

Janet Jackson is an icon and Outside Lands will provide a rare opportunity to catch this legendary artist at a particularly special time. The Weeknd has been something of a steady fixture at the festival circuit in recent years, and about to headline two weekends at Coachella after just releasing his latest project “My Dear Melancholy,.” You’ll likely be able to catch the full sobfest in The Bay Area, although the summery vibes might result in a different type of Weeknd performance, with most Starboy fare. Florence + the Machine has been working on their upcoming album, “High As Hope” for ages, and will be debuting new material later this month at the BBC Biggest Music Weekend. They’ll be riding the wave come August, and will be sure to deliver one of their spellbinding performances.

Apart from these three headliners, there is a stunning lineup of artists spanning virtually all genres, bringing huge names and budding talent from all over the world, and quite sure to offer something exciting for people of all musical persuasions. Among those set to perform are Future, Beck, Odesza, Bon Iver, DJ Snake, Portugal the Man, N.E.R.D, Chvrches, James Blake, Jamie XX, Janelle Monáe, Illenium, Mac Demarco, Tycho, Father John Misty, Carly Rae Jepsen, Chromeo, The Internet, Jessie Ware, Børns, Gryffin, The Growlers, Tash Sultana, SOB x RBE, Big Gigantic, Broken Social Scene, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Daniel Caesar, Billie Eilish, Perfume Genius, Goldlink, Chicano Batman, Jessie Reyez, LP, Rex Orange County, Sabrina Claudio, Margo Price, Kelela, Claptone, The Mountain Goats, Lauv, Lizzo, Whethan, Smokepurpp, Quinn XCII, Poolside, Bahamas, Saba, Cuco, Amen Dunes, Shannon & the Clams, Aquilo, Dermot Kennedy, Pale Waves, Tyler Childers, Lacy Dacus, ikMkey Ekko, Olivia O’Brien, Sasha Sloan, Gang of Youths, Kailee Morgue, Hobo Johnson & the Lovemakers, Freya Ridings, Caleborate, Durand Jones & the Indications, Nick Mulvey, Gogo Penguin, Jack Harlow, Knox Fortune, Monophonics, Kikagaku Moyo, Hot Flash Heat Wave, Sweet Plot, Dick Stusso, and more to be announced.

In addition to all this music, there will be comedy and even cabaret provided by Outsider Art, Eco Lands, and The Barbary. There will be cocktail bars set up throughout the park, hundreds of California wines and beers, and over 200 menu items from restaurants in the Bay Area. Several food and drink features specific to the festival, such as Tastes of the Bay, Wine Lands, and  GastroMagic, will also return this year. 3-Day GA and VIP passes are available, and for the first time, there’s a Layaway Plan option that allows you to pay in four installments.

Outside Lands will take place Aug. 10-12 at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, CA. Passes are available here.