San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
SZA, Mitski and Phoebe Bridgers at top of ‘dynamic and diverse’ lineup
Elton John recently made headlines after declaring that “girls (are) rocking out and making the best music” right now. Based on the star-studded musical lineup for Outside Lands 2022, the British singer — who named a few acts from the festival bill to make his case — is on to something.
Outside Lands co-founder Allen Scott in a statement described the festival’s lineup as “one of the most dynamic and diverse we’ve ever had.” R&B star SZA is a clear standout as the only woman headlining the festival this year. Phoebe Bridgers and Mitski, two subheadliners whose cult following has grown exponentially since the beginning of the pandemic, are also slated to perform.
Genre doesn’t seem to be a barrier to entry either, as styles like rap, R&B, punk rock, indie rock and pop are all well represented on the festival bill. The SoMa Tent, an all-day dance experience inspired by the titular neighborhood’s clubs, throws house and electronic dance music into the mix, too.
Ahead of the three-day festival, The Chronicle offers a list of the can’t-miss all-female, or female-led, acts to catch at Outside Lands 2022.
The Marías:
Los Angeles pop band the Marías was named after vocalist María Zardoya, who was born in Puerto Rico and raised in Atlanta. Zardoya, who performs in both English and Spanish, possesses a smoky, velveteen voice that floats effortlessly above the band’s languid riffs. The Grammy-nominated 2021 album “Cinema” depicts the group’s compositional and production skills — traits typically best heard with a pair of high-quality headphones. It’ll be interesting to see how the band translates its dreamy soundscapes to a live stage.
Spellling:
Chrystia Cabral, who performs as Spellling, is a local gem, crafting enigmatic visions through myth and music in Oakland. Cabral’s instinct to grow beyond her synth-based style resulted in her theatrical third fulllength record, “The Turning Wheel,” which features performances by 31 musicians, including a pianist, harpist and string quartet. Whether you’re
enchanted by themes of divine love, or simply excited that Kate Bush's “Running Up That Hill'' is returning to the charts, you'll want to make space to witness Spellling's magic happen in real-time.
The Linda Lindas:
The Linda Lindas are young punk rock professionals. They've played with fellow Los Angeles bands like Best Coast (which plays the festival on Friday) and Bleached, even recording tracks for films like Amy Poehler's “Moxie.” But it wasn't until the band had its viral moment — when a video of the “half Asian, half Latinx” group performing the heavy-hitting song “Racist, Sexist Boy” at a Los Angeles public library blew up on social media — that their music spread to all corners of the internet.
But as their 2022 debut album, “Growing Up,” proves, there's more to the Linda Lindas than face-melting dis tracks. They've got songs about messing up, feeling invisible and their beloved
cats, too.
Rina Sawayama:
There's no pop star today who's more of a genre shapeshifter than Rina Sawayama, who writes with a massive Rolodex of influences in mind. Sawayama blends house, country, nu-metal and Y2K hits, creating her own brand of pop songwriting, uniting listeners who don't usually intersect, and making them dance.
“Got my invitation to eternal damnation/ Get in line, pass the wine, bitch/ We're going straight to hell,” she sings on “This Hell,” the first single shared in anticipation for her second studio album, “Hold the Girl.” Released just a few weeks before Pride month, the song is a tongue-in-cheek celebration of self, despite what others may think. “I wanted to write a western pop song that celebrated community and love in a time where the world seemed hellish,” she tweeted. With Sawayama, the party continues. Performing on Saturday, Aug.
6.
Baby Tate:
If you're on TikTok, you probably know how the verse goes. “I am healthy, I am wealthy / I am rich, I am that bitch / I am gonna go get that bag / And I am not gonna take your s—,” Baby Tate raps on “I Am,” a cut from her 2020 EP “After The Rain.” Since its introduction to the social media app, the track has inspired the affirmations of thousands of women. The Atlanta rapper hasn't stopped working on her extensive discography either, releasing single after single, like the bass-booming R&B anthem “Yasss Queen,” which dropped in April.
Wet Leg:
Online music communities cheered, scoffed and bobbed their heads with the release of English post-punk band Wet Leg's “Chaise Longue,” a funny, too-cool-for-school single from a group that no one knew much about, yet swiftly became one you couldn't avoid. Their self-titled debut album, which came out last April, established the band's style: infectious hooks with droning, cyclical guitar. It lends their sound a hypnotic — sometimes dissociative — quality that's perfect for the raw heat of the summer.
Outside Lands might as well be a food festival — and this year, it’s presenting its largest menu yet.
The festival is hosting 96 restaurants, including many hits from previous years like garlic noodle slinger Chef Smelly’s Creole, quesabirria sensation El Garage and Ramenburger innovator Nombe. There are Michelin-starred restaurants working deep-fryers, such as Sorrel and Lord Stanley. And lots of pizza, sandwiches, tacos and other hand-held foods ideal for eating while grooving.
For some festivalgoers, sampling the newest food options is as important as checking out certain bands. This year, there are 23 new vendors, each serving multiple items. Without a game plan, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed.
Here are five dishes worth seeking out:
Pork laab burger from Jo’s Modern Thai:
This unusual burger — a fried pork patty reminiscent of larb — got a rave review from Chronicle critic Soleil Ho. Like the meaty salad it’s inspired by, it’s heady with lemongrass, garlic and fish sauce. Makrut lime mayo lines the brioche bun, alongside lettuce and cucumber for crunch. Jo’s Modern Thai is known for big, unflinching flavors, and since it’s not in a BART-accessible part of Oakland, this may be some festival attendees’ easiest way to try the thrilling restaurant.
Fried chicken sandwiches from Fowl + Fare:
There is always a lot of fried chicken at Outside Lands, but this is the only one that made Ho’s list of the best fried chicken in the Bay Area. Celebrated for its creativity and housebaked bread, Oakland pop-up Fowl + Fare plans to serve two fried chicken sandwiches: one paired with chipotle aioli, the other topped with a charred lemon-pepper sauce and lemon aioli. Both feature crunchy thighs, a refreshing pear slaw, pickles and a brioche bun.
Mac and cheese from the Bussdown:
Pan-African soul food pop-up the Bussdown is on a break, so this appearance at Outside Lands will be an exciting return for fans. The pop-up was known for pairing the chefs’ fine dining backgrounds with classic comfort foods like Jamaican patties, jerk chicken and Southern fried chicken. The gooey, cheesy mac with crispy edges was always a hit, so expect similar greatness. Only this time, the mac will be topped with Gullah-Geechee-style prawns, a rare treat in a festival setting.
Pork Parker House buns from Daytrip:
Buzzy Oakland restaurant Daytrip recently served a version of this petite sandwich — succulent pork belly on a rich Parker House roll, given surprising depth from sake lees in the dough — so there’s good reason to believe the festival variation will also be delicious. The restaurant, known for fermentationdriven small plates with natural wine, suggested on Instagram there would be some whole hog action, and the menu promises a vegetarian alternative of heirloom vegetable rice bowls.
Vegan tacos from Om Sabor:
Unlike some vegan restaurants that focus on high-tech fake meats, Om Sabor leans into vegetables. It’s been earning a reputation for inventive, globally inspired takes on Mexican dishes, which it typically serves out of Phonobar in San Francisco’s Hayes Valley. At Outside Lands, the pop-up will fill corn tortillas with caramelized onions stained purple from hibiscus, plus shredded cabbage and avocado mousse for heft. There will also be a meatless version of chile verde, loaded with tomatillos and pinto beans.