Among historic traditions like Stern Grove, free yearly events like Hardly Strictly and loud newcomers like Portola Music Festival, San Francisco has no shortage of music festivals. But none compares quite to the anticipation of the annual three-day takeover of Golden Gate Park: Outside Lands. And it’s clear from Tuesday morning’s lineup announcement, which came a few weeks earlier than usual, that it’s going to be a very good year.
Top-line billing goes to Charli XCX, taking enough of a break from her budding acting career to headline the fest. Next is perennial big-font EDM act Rufus Du Sol, who spilled the beans Monday via a comment on Outside Lands’ Instagram. Given how young the festival skews these days, the next two acts are a bit of a surprise: aught rock favorites the XX and the Strokes (returning five years after thumbing their nose at COVID restrictions). Critically lauded R&B singer Dijon, who scored the accolade of second-best album of 2025 from Pitchfork, gets high billing, as does quadruple-platinum rapper Baby Keem. Rock bands of the moment Turnstile and Geese are slated to make appearances, and Griztronics will surely supply heavy EDM vibes. Labrinth will likely bring out a few tears from Generation Z emo fans, Empire of the Sun supplies more aughts nostalgia, and “Stranger Things” act Joe Keery’s Djo project rounds out the top line.
Festivalgoers listen to DJ Pee .Wee, aka Anderson .Paak, at the Panhandle Stage at Outside Lands in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco on Aug. 9, 2025. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE)
The undercard features a few more emo throwbacks (Death Cab for Cutie, Modest Mouse), resurging lyrical stalwarts Clipse and trending rapper GloRilla. Critical darlings Wet Leg and Momma, rowdy U.K. rockers Yard Act, Portola Music Festival DJ favorite Yousuke Yukimatsu, and indie sleaze revivalists Snow Strippers are also in the lineup, plus many, many more.
Ticketing is a little different this year, with several stages of presale tickets leading up to the general sale on March 5 at noon. The discount “Eager Beaver” passes have been discontinued in favor of the “Loyalty Presale,” starting at noon Tuesday, for those who’ve attended the festival in the past five years (fans must have signed up to receive their code by 11 a.m.). A Chase cardholder presale also launches Tuesday, with the “Ranger Presale” launching Wednesday.
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This article originally published at San Francisco’s Outside Lands announces killer lineup.