And now, the rest of my Outside Lands experience.
I'll be honest, I can't do music festivals like some people can. No way I can spend all day in the presence of that many people, especially in the bitter windy cold of Golden Gate Park in August. This list says it pretty well (for #14, how about: the only drug you'll consider taking is Xanax).
But when it comes down to it, I heard lots of awesome music, and that's all that really matters.
Nikki's Non-Paul Highlights: Rhye. This band automatically gets cool points because our friend Jake from UCLA plays drums with them! Check out the sweet slow jam "It's Over" from their set. At the end, Jake ran into the crowd to hug his girlfriend, awwwww. Jurassic 5. This was Alex's equivalent of Paul McCartney (well, actually D'Angelo was, but since he dropped out, Jurassic 5 was the next best). I'm still working on my hip hop appreciation, but I feel like J5 is a good place to start (I'm a fan of "positive" hip hop, haha). I let Alex be the judge of which video I should post: "Quality Control" The Head and the Heart. This folky goodness was the perfect way to round out our Day 2. We listened to them while sprawled out on a blanket at the edge of the Sutro Stage grounds. I especially liked "Lost in my Mind." Hall & Oates. What can I say, "You Make My Dreams" = biggest dance party ever
But...my other favorite show of the weekend was, punnily enough, Vampire Weekend. I've loved their music for a long time but am an even bigger fan after finally seeing them live. Also, I have to admit that I have a fangirly crush on Ezra Koenig (it's the hair flip, I tell you!).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fybJFK-s-Tw&w=420&h=315
It's pretty impossible to say which songs were my favorite..."Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa" because Alex learned it on guitar? "Step" because of the bay area shoutout? "Diane Young" because it's so fun to dance to? They were all awesome, and I will DEFINITELY see them next time they're in town.
End of Post Disclaimer: None of these videos are mine. I knew I could count on YouTube for providing clips of every single performance I wanted to share. PS - Have you ever seen so many iPhones in your life? I mean seriously.