Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo takes the Land's End main stage for Saturday's headlining spot. Brandon Yadegari
Day 2 got off to a fine musical start with bands such as San Fermin and Joseph filling in the earlier performance slots. While the Lands End stage highlighted groups with a hard rock edge — gearing the mood up for the night’s headliner Metalica — over at the Sutro stage, the atmosphere was awash with sounds for more pop and folk minded listeners.
Real Estate got the crowd going with their rocking set list, before Australian favorite Vance Joy took the stage. The sun came peeking through the fog as Joy launched into “Mess is Mine” from his 2014 record Dream Your Life Away. His clear bright voice filled the grove as he ran through his hour-long set that included “Wasted Time,” Red Eye,” and a rousing cover of Paul Simon’s “You Can Call Me Al.”
Next up were the Grammy-nominated brothers Scott and Seth Avett. They opened with “Head Full of Doubt,” a heartfelt semi-ballad from their breakthrough record I and Love and You. Accompanied by a drummer, bass player, and formidable string players, the Avett Brothers trotted out 14 songs during their set, pulling mostly from I and Love and You, The Carpenter, Magpie and the Dandelion, and their latest, True Sadness.
Particularly moving was their rendition of Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun”; the brothers killing the difficult vocal range with seeming ease.
As night fell on the verdant setting, colored klieg lights shone into the trees fringing the polo field, enchanting the open space. Heavy metal legends Metallica closed the night at Lands End with their shredding guitars and agro vocals delivered by frontman James Hetfield.
At the opposite end of the Outside Lands expanse, Australian duo Luke Steele and Nick Littlemore of Empire of the Sun wowed eager fans with their dazzling costumes and tight performance.
Hundreds of thousands of people gather in Golden Gate Park for the annual Outside Lands Festival. For its 10th anniversary, the music and arts event featured a stellar lineup, including Empire of the Sun, Metallica, The Avett Brothers, Lorde, and Cage the Elephant, to name a mere few of the bands on the slate.Brandon YadegariAnticipation filled the air as Dawes fans excitedly awaited the L.A.-based folk rock group. Lead singer Taylor Goldsmith (pictured) and his bandmates did not disappoint the packed crowd during their mid-day set at Sutro stage.Marianne KugaHailing from Melbourne, Australia, indie pop singer Vance Joy spread good cheer with his sparkling set list, backed by a killer band that included trumpet and saxophone players. He closed his show with his platinum-selling hit "Riptide," from his 2014 record <em>Dream Your Life Away</em>.Marianne KugaScott Avett of the Avett Brothers slayed the crowd with his rapid-fire speak/singing on "Slight Figure of Speech" during the duo's set at Sutro stage on Saturday.Marianne KugaThe cypress trees ringing Golden Gate Park's polo field became a kaleidoscope of hues as the sun went down, giving the festival a magical feel.Michelle DrownCage the Elephant frontman Matthew Shultz made the most of the stage's promenade that jutted out into the crowd, contorting like a live wire and keeping the energy level high for their entire set.Marianne KugaMetallica co-founder and frontman, James Hetfield wailed through a set of pulsating tunes, capping off a hard-rock leaning day at Lands End stage.Michelle DrownAs expected, Empire of the Sun brought their flair and dynamic musicianship to the Twin Peaks stage on Day 2 of OSL. Luke Steele pictured.Brandon YadegariWith masses of people and bogged down cell networks, many festival goers opt to bring unique totems so friends can find each other in the crowd. Thanks to one attendee, Aziz Ansari was present for Dawes set. Marianne KugaOutside Lands not only has myriad musical delicacies, it was also one of the first festivals to highlight area cuisine. As such, enticing aromas emanate from the many food tents set up to sell their edible wares. Behind the scenes folks work hard to make sure festival goers are well fed. Michelle Drown