Outside Lands Food and Music Pairings Guide

The lineup for the Outside Lands Music Festival is eclectic as ever this year, with acts ranging from Paul McCartney to Nine Inch Nails, and there are several new interesting new food options to match.

From a music festival experience, there is really no match for the food, beer and wine presented at Outside Lands.  Not the normal “concert grub” or selection of cheap beer and wine, it is all about celebrating the best the Bay Area has to offer.  With that in mind, we paired some of the food offerings this year with some of the artists performing at the three-day festival.

Friday

Paul McCartney with S’mores and Hot Chocolate from Charles Chocolates
Connection: S’mores and hot chocolate is the ultimate summertime comfort food to accompany comforting Beatles and McCartney classics among the trees and mist at Golden Gate Park. (Matt Crawford)

Zedd with Bratwurst from Rosamunde Sausage Grill
Connection: Zedd was raised in Germany, famous for it’s wonderful sausages. Rasamunde is just about as good as it gets in San Francisco. (Keith Mizuguchi)

Pretty Lights with Bacon Wrapped Hot Dog from Brass Knuckles
Connection: The perfect late-night artist meets his match with the perfect late-night snack from Brass Knuckles. (KM)

Midi Matilda – Gilroy Garlic Mac and Cheese, Homeroom.
Connection: This San Francisco duo packs a punch, just like the Mac and Cheese at small Oakland restaurant, Homeroom. (KM)

Saturday

Nine Inch Nails with Pork Belly Burger from Big Chef Tom’s Belly Burgers.
Connection: A dark, complex band bursting with energy meets a complex burger bursting with flavor. (KM)

Youth Lagoon with Tater Tots with Chili Lime Aioli from Q Restaurant and Wine Bar
Connection: Trevor, aka Youth Lagoon, was raised in Idaho, home of the potato. (KM)

Gary Clark Jr. – Cheesburger from 4505 Meats
Connection: A meaty meal to accompany meaty riffs from Austin, Texas, guitar slinger, Gary Clark Jr. (MC)

Baauer with Gourmet Funnel Cakes from Endless Summer Treats
Connection: The man behind “Harlem Shake” grew up in Pennsylvania, where the popular festival item was first introduced. Tip: Don’t attempt to eat while doing the “Harlem Shake.” (KM)

Sunday

Willie Nelson with Grilled Cheese Sandwich from American Grilled Cheese Kitchen
Connection: An American music classic meets an American food classic. (MC)

Red Hot Chili Peppers with Spicy Pork Fries from Bacon Bacon
Connection: A band that brings the heat, in performance and name, with a dish that does the same. (KM)

Vampire Weekend with Escape From New York Pizza
Connection: New York’s reigning champs of indie rock with San Francisco’s best attempt at New York pizza. (MC)

Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk with Chicken and Waffles from Farmer Brown’s Little Skillet
There’s something inherently funky about the chicken and waffles from Farmer Brown’s Little Skillet—syrupy with a hot sauce kick and a side of cornbread to mop it all up—and Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk is about as funky as it gets on the bill this year at Outside Lands. (MC)

A-Trak with Lamb Poutine from Whole Beast featuring One Market
Connection: The Canadian DJ celebrates with a dish well known in his country. (KM)

Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue with Shrimp and Grits from 1300 on Fillmore
Connection: Modern NOLA funk that pays tribute to the musical city’s heritage pairs perfectly with a Louisiana dinner table staple, BBQ Shrimp & Creamy Grits. (MC)

Kurt Vile and the Violators with Philadelphia Cheesesteaks from Earthly Delights
Connection: Mellow stoner rock from Philly paired with a hearty stoner meal (also from the City of Brotherly Love) from a festival regular with a very mellow name. (MC)