Before anyone realized it, Day 3 had come and gone. Outside Lands 2021 over Halloweekend had come to a close, but not before putting on the biggest Halloween parties in the Bay.
Festival attendees flooded the festival grounds in costume. Many sporting couples and group costumes with their friends. Outside Lands on Halloween was a huge success, it would’ve been easier to count the number of people that weren’t in costume. Even artists put on their best costumes to perform their set. Caroline Polachek kicked off the day in an intricate Marie Antoinette costume, mxmtoon dressed up as Steve from Blue’s Clues and Tame Impala closed out the night dressed as The Wiggles.
Aside from the headliners, the biggest crowd drawn was a mid-day set at none other than Nelly. There were a few Nelly fans in the crowd actually coming to the festival in his merch, and once his set started Nelly reminded everyone of his deep discography. Nelly flew through his hit singles and collaborations through his 20+ year career. He got plenty of help with the entire festival singing along to “Hot in Herre,” “Dilemma” and “Just a Dream.” Outside Lands was not short of “folks in California that been rocking with Nelly since day one.”
Finally the moment everyone had been waiting for all weekend had come. Electronic group Rüfüs Du Sol, after turning the main stage into a club dance floor, left the stage and told the crowd to get ready for a mind blowing set from Tame Impala next. And they were right.
The lights cut out and a faux pharmaceutical ad came on the screens with a doctor talking about a drug called “Rushium.” Eventually the ad and voice became more and more distorted, until the lights cut out again. A voice came over the PA saying Tame Impala would no longer be performing that night, and would be replaced by the legendary group The Wiggles. Of course this was all in fun, and Tame Impala came trotting out in all smiles colorful The Wiggles emblazoned sweaters.
It took no time for the Tame Impala experience to start, and for minds to be blown. Along with Kevin Parker and the band’s incredible sound, the show featured intricate visuals including lights, lasers and smoke. Their song “Apocalypse Dreams” showed the extent of their custom lighting rig, as it descended onto the stage like a UFO. The rig emitted even more smoke and flashing lights as the band continued to amaze their audience.
It was an unforgettable show, to end an unforgettable day and weekend. Outside Lands 2021 was a huge success, especially after the year+ everyone had gone through. It was a fantastic way for many to return to the old festival circuit, and an incredible milestone for the festival organizers. Security, workers and volunteers told everyone to get home safe while thanking them, and telling festival attendees to come back next year. After the weekend that was put together, it’s no doubt fans can’t wait to do it all again in 2022.
For more information on Outside Lands, visit their website.
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