Outside Lands: Through Southern Eyes
Words and Photos by Mack Brown
As I climbed the foresty,steep grey steps of Polo Field, looking for a bite to eat I stumbled among somewhat of a portal— Hellman’s Hollow; a whimsical wonderland of lush lawns, interactive art instillations, wearable antiques, and the smell of delicious food. I could feel the hum of aniticipation in the air; rushing in, my curiosity gave way to the moment. The nippy, San Francisco air hit different for this Texan, whom, might I add is used to the dry and blistering heatwave of summer.
A local I met named John L. said “During the evening time, the Alaskin winds, carry over a thick fog, and mist. You can’t see anything out there”- and he wasn’t lying. The slow mist rolling in, softening stage lights, mixed with the layout of the surrounding woods create an other-wordly effect for the average concert-goer.
Fans taking photos in front of the famous windmill at Outside Lands in Golden State Park on Saturday, August 9th, 2025.
Mack Brown / Tongue Tied Magazine
Experience:
Day 1 was among us and I couldn’t have been more filled with excitement. My first time in San Francisco; First time in Outside Lands( in its 13th year history) —three-days of art, music, food, beer and cannabis ; sounded like a dream on a paper. In person, it was louder, bigger and wilder in the best way possible.
As you enter through the gates of Polo field you’ll be greeted with long stretches of dirt paths, sprinkled with patches of beautiful flowers and vegetation. Each path leading towards a different stage, unique with its own vibe and energy. Alongside, the walls bear huge artist murals and their tag; from hand painted alien ships to hippie bears. The lawns showcasing a sea of picnic blankets and half-empty cans. Fans and friends alike eargely awaiting their favorite artist, with the smell of smoked meats and funnel cake mix in the air.
Every space seemed to be of use , from live graffiti exhibits to smaller disco stages (Bacardi). The weather made it perfect to layer up and be cozy. I seen plethora of trippy bucket hats, ripped hoodies and jackets, with colorful fannypacks and backpacks. The vibe is similar to what I’ve seen at my local festival; Austin City Limits.
As someone who’s lapped miles at Austin City limits,located in Texas, Outside lands comparitelvly is like ACL’s distant, cooler cousin. With less artificial turf and more magic; still Big-festival vibes but more tress and lights.
Marisa Dabice of Mannequin Pussy performs on the Land’s End Stage at Outside Lands in Golden Gate Park on Friday, August 8th, 2025.
Outside Lands focuses on waste management (keeping the woods pristine and well-kept) despite creating over 321,000 pounds of waste last year, with an impressive 89% being recycled, reused, or composted. And thanks to partnering with Clean Vibes and the local San Francisco fire department, all of the single-use cups, plates, bowls, and utensils are 100% compostable. On-site, there is an area called ‘The Mission’ where attendees can learn all about sustainability and social consciousness through an educational forum; not including the plenty of refill drink stations scattered throughout the grounds— I can vividly remember visiting the Monster Energy tent (live DJ) where they gave complimentary monsters, as long as you finish it in the area and recycle it. I was pleased to see such a massive festival with little to minimal litter, which in and off itself really reflected the festival’s values and its standards. I’ve been to over 10 festivals and i can honestly say this has been the cleanest one.
I’m usually gung-ho about anything rock, metal related but nothing could prepare me for the first set of the day— Mannequin Pussy. A Philly-based, punk rock band, coming with all the rage and charm to knock your socks off. From the moment they took the stage, Missy, the band’s lead singer, really set the tone of the day; loud, brash, and unapologetic.
“I got a loud bark,” she screams, leading into their hit Loud Bark from their recent LP. What once was a two-man team has since evolved into the four-piece band of today: Missy, Bear, Kaleen, and Maxine. It was their thrash and dream sounding album, I Got Heaven, that really cemented their likeness and unique flair. What captivated me was how charismatic Missy was, in particular asking all the conservative men to scream “pussy” as loudly as they could. She also took a radical stance, expressing her disdain for Billionares —“ F**k Billionaires…they don’t want us to win in this country” and “Free Palestine… and the killing of innocent people” to thousands.. Let’s just say the message and the music turned me from a spectator into a fan.
Ube Milkshake from Marley’s Treats at Outside Lands in Golden Gate State Park on Sunday, August 10th, 2025.
Mack Brown / Tongue Tied Magazine
Food:
They say that Texas’s BBQ is like no other, well, I’m vegetarian, so I wouldn’t know, nor compare it to local spots haha.. However, OL did a good job in proving a taste for any palette; tacos, pizza, burgers, wraps, etc. From local Bay Area restaurants to pop-ups, wether that’s French crêpes, Lebanese foods or Smash burgers, they have it all. Im known for my ‘sweet tooth’ and I ordered this all Ube, purple drizzle, milkshake from Marley’s Treats, originally located in Hayward CA (it was one of my highlights of the day) , and ‘The Heddy’ veggie dog from Hayz Dog.
Admittedly, the prices are somewhat expensive; several one-item foods were in the $18+ range. I can remeber paying over $30 for a burger and fries, or $14 for a slice of pizza. But maybe this is reflective of the larger Bay Area and its higher cost of living.
Getting There:
Anyone whose ever been to a concert or festival in general knows that alternative methods of transportation work best at getting around , (e.g rideshare, bikes, scooters, city bus). Outside Lands offers a 3-day shuttle pass ($70) to and from the grounds, especially convenient after dark. The festival takes place at Polo Field, within the beautiful grounds of Golden State Park, this well-manicured 1,000 acre sprawl of vibrant flowers, mini lakes, unique architecture, family picnics and local events. It isn’t uncommon to see people in active recreation like archery, basketball, and soccer. In my opinion, BART, the local bus system, is key. You can download the app and find routes going to and from the Park all day. I decided I’d take a scooter (~20 min from my hotel) as close as I can to Polo field , through the park, and walk the rest, it best decision I could’ve made. I got to see the city from a different perspective, alongside catching a cool breeze, making it even more enjoyable.. Post festival, I recommend walking 3-4 blocks and catching rideshare with friends, because of surge pricing and foot traffic.
Fans entering through the gates at Hellman Hollow at Outside Lands in Golden Gate State Park on Friday, August 8th, 2025.
Mack Brown / Tongue Tied Magazine
One artist I made sure to see was 2 Hollis, this 21-year-old “ eagerly experimental savant” according to Pitchfork. His set was scheduled later in the evening at the smaller Sutro stage. His producing and songwriting are what really shine; hyper pop and rap, fused with electronic beats that make anyone go crazy. His rise initially began last year, in July 2024, when he toured as an opener for Ken Carson, another rocker with a similar taste for punchy and explosive beats. He opened with his smash hit “Jeans,” and that got the crowd moving, opening up several ‘mosh pits’ during the breakdown. As a fan, i naturally found this set to be a pure delight.I think he has a strong stage presence and the ability to work a crowd. He almost has a cult-like following online. He dropped his latest LP, Star, and the reception was well-received.
“Tell me” hits hard, with these whisper and distorted-like vocals against these electro synths and deep bass drop. Later in the show, , he brought out all of his friends, including Nate Sib, and they turned the crowd up another level. The set seemed to finish, but after 10 seconds, you heard 2 Hollis chanting “Jeans, Jeans, Jeans” as he played “Jeans” one last time.
Outside Lands isn’t just a three-day fest, it’s a world of immersion through love, sound, and community. From the misty woods of Hellman’s Hollow to the vibes of Dolores stage, I knew from the beginning that this was the best place to be. The attention towards sustainability, the mix of local cuisine, and the diverse lineup makes OL shine unlike any festival I’ve attended. For the first time in San Francisco, it was an unforgettable experience and introduction— one that left me with a camera full of memories and appreciation for The Bay.
