San Francisco’s Outside Lands Music Festival has earned a reputation for bringing some of the biggest names in music to Golden Gate Park and recruiting some of the best restaurants and food trucks San Francisco has to offer to feed attendees.
This year, the sold-out festival welcomes Paul McCartney, Nine Inch Nails and Red Hot Chili Peppers as headliners Aug. 9-11, with more than 50 other acts performing on six stages throughout the weekend.
We’ve paired some of the bands performing this year with some of our favorite menu items at the festival.
Paul McCartney with S’mores and Hot Chocolate from Charles Chocolates
Connection: S’mores and hot chocolate are the ultimate summertime comfort foods to accompany comforting Beatles and McCartney classics among the trees and mist at Golden Gate Park.
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.
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.
Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk with Chicken and Waffles from Farmer Brown’s Little Skillet
Connection: 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.
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.”
Willie Nelson with Grilled Cheese Sandwich from American Grilled Cheese Kitchen
Connection: An American music classic meets an American food classic.
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.
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, Barbecue Shrimp & Creamy Grits.
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.
Gary Clark Jr. with Cheeseburger from 4505 Meats
Connection: A meaty meal to accompany meaty riffs from Austin, Tex., guitar slinger, Gary Clark Jr.
Zedd with Bratwurst from Rosamunde Sausage Grill
Connection: Zedd was raised in Germany, famous for its wonderful sausages. Rosamunde is just about as good as it gets in San Francisco.
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.
ALSO SEE: The Ultimate Outside Lands Playlist, the Outside Lands Night Show Lineup and Craft Beer Options at Outside Lands from our friends at SF Station.
Keith Mizuguchi contributed to this report.
.Musical Feast: Music and Food Pairings at Outside Lands
