Festival Outside Lands 2010, much more than music

Courtesy of OSL A spectacular view from the main stage at the Outside Lands 2009 Music Festival in San Francisco during a performance by the band Tenacious D. This year, the festival renews its bet to maintain the ³San Francisco style² of good music, accompanied by good food and wine.

VISALIA, California.- The third edition of the Outside Lands Music Festival in San Francisco is almost here. It will take place on August 14th and 15th at the spectacular Golden Gate Park.

Aside from its natural beauty, the park contributes an incredible element which helps the audience enjoy the music like no other of this nature: the vegetation acts like a natural insulation, preventing the music coming from one stage from mixing with the other.

Last year, Outside Lands provide five stages, one of which was run with solar energy.

For the 2010 edition, the list of artists is led by American rock bands The Strokes (Saturday, August 14th) and Kings of Leon (Sunday, August 15th ). Also Sunday, Colombian band Aterciopelados will perform. They play an original mix of rock en español with Latinamerican tones: a must see and listen.

“I love San Francisco, it’s a place that I really enjoy every time we perform there,” said Natham Followill, the drummer for Kings of Leon during a telephone press conference. “I think we’re going to have a very good time at the festival.”

This popular alternative rock band, originally from Nashville, Tennessee, is made up of three brothers and a cousin. It was formed in 1999.

For Natham, coming to Outside Lands (OSL) as the main band is an honor. But he also regrets that the tours and performances keep him from spending more time with his family.

“What allowed us to become one of the most popular bands?…The intense work, the dedication,” the drummer assures. “Since we are family members, this also may help because we have a solidarity and a competitiveness amongst ourselves.”

In reference to the songs they are preparing for OSL, Natham commented that lots of times this type of festival allows them to better understand the connection between certain songs and the public.

“Besides, one has a responsibility in front of the audience.”

For this reason, the members of Kings of Leon talk over every aspect of their performances, Natham explains. “We want the public to have a good time, but we also want to have a good time at each performance.”

The musician also commented that he’s been warned that music festivals in the country are facing difficulties. “It could be due to the economy, lots of young people who want to go have to travel, have expenses, so then they have to decide if they’re going to spend the money on a festival.”

But, he highlighted the importance of these events.

“Besides the music, you meet people.”

The coming together of so many people is an important part of massive events of this nature. But only at OSL can good food and fine wine also be enjoyed. “The first year of the festival (2008) we prepared sandwiches and we took advantage of seeing the best bands for free,” said chef Scott Youkilis from Maverick Restaurant in San Francisco. Then, in a more serious tone he added, “Our sandwiches are really good, a bit spicy and they go well together with the music!”

Finally, Youkilis recommended the wines produced by Sutton Cellars. “They are also currently producing an excellent vermouth that we serve in our restaurant.” Sutton Cellars is one of the wineries in the area that participates in OSL in the tent dedicated to wines called “Wine Lands.”

The telephone press conference ended with the participation of Eugene Hutz from the band Gogol Bordello from New York dedicated to gypsy-style music. The group, which also was formed in 1999, has put on shows around the world and enjoys great popularity among supporters of this type of music genre.

According to Hutz, the presentation of Gogol Bordello amongst so many rock bands will add a special spice to Outside Lands. No one doubts it.

Information: For the complete list of artists and bands that will perform at Outside Lands or to buy tickets, visit www.sfoutsidelands.com

*  Tudor Stanley contributed to this article