Outside Lands 2018

Festival guide

Taking place at the Golden Gate Park across August 10th to 12th, San Fran's Outside Lands has one hell of a line-up - even beyond the music, you know you're onto a great festival when even the comedy line-up seems unmissable (Chelsea Peretti, Michelle Wolf and Queer Eye's Jonathan Van Ness? Yes, henny!). But obviously you are here for musical wisdom, and - no matter your taste - there's someone for you at Outside Lands. From Janelle to Carly Rae Jepsen via the Internet, here are some of our picks from the glorious line-up (you can check the full thing here).

Top picks

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    Janelle Monáe

    Emotional honesty never comes at the expense of ambition, and Janelle Monáe's glorious latest album Dirty Computer maintains her reputation as Kansas’ most innovative musical export, serving up complex arrangements that encompass pop, funk and soul while frankly tackling race, gender, sex and societal inequality. And given some of the visuals this album has come with - the beaded headpiece, the "Pynk" pussy pants, the beautiful choreography - we suspect this performance is going to be especially mesmerising.

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    The Internet

    It’s funny to remember that funk-soul band the Internet started out as an Odd Future side-project, because - since their 2011 beginnings - they’ve grown into such a beautiful force. Hive Mind is the LA group's new album, and finds them fuller, more assured, and more resplendent than ever. So if you want a sweet little bop to funky, honey-smooth odes to queer love, this party with Syd, Steve Lacey et al should be the one.

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    Carly Rae Jepsen

    Queen of killer hooks and voguish, 80s-style R&B production, to our mind Carly Rae Jepsen remains pop's under-sung hero. There's that line in coming-of-age novel The Perks of Being a Wallflower where the protagonist says, "And in that moment, I swear we were infinite" - at her best, this is how Carly Rae Jepsen's songs can make you feel. If you want a set that's soaring and euphoric, this should by sugary sweet magic.

Big names

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