By Jimmy Fontaine via Big Beat Press

By now you know the Outside Lands headliners: Florence + the Machine, Janet Jackson, The Weeknd, yada, yada, yada. But what about all those names in tiny print at the bottom of the flyer that you have never heard of? Who the hell are they and are they worth listening to? As much as a music nerd as I am, I have never heard of a number of the bands at the bottom of the bill. So, I sat down and tirelessly listened to hours of obscure music to help you figure out if these bands are worth seeing, worth adding to your summer playlists, or not worth paying attention to all, on Saturday. Check out Friday’s list here.

KIKAGAKU MOYO – “Tree Smoke”

Genre- Psychedelic rock
Verdict – If you took your acid a little bit too early in the day, you’re gonna have a good time!

KNOX FORTUNE – “Lil Thing”

Genre: What R&B will sound like in 2021.
Verdict: This is one of my top 10 artists to see at OSL this year. If you like Chance the Rapper, you’ll like this guy.

JACK HARLOW – “Dark Knight”

Genre: Hip-hop/trap.
Verdict: If you’re into braggadocious teenagers who might just be Post Malone’s nerdy younger brother, you might like this.

GOGO PENGUIN – “Raven”

Genre: Jazz.
Verdict: If you brought your grandma to Outside Lands this is the one band she will definitely dig.

FREYA RIDINGS

Genre: Singer with a piano type stuff.
Verdict: Really beautiful singer, but not what I would be trying to see at a festival, unless you’re longing for church hymnals.

EMMIT FENN

Genre: Singer/Songwriter R&B type guy.
Verdict: This is the kind of music you might put on if you’re trying to astral project.
Bonus points for being a Berkeley native.

PALE WAVES

Genre: Indie rock/goth-pop.
Verdict: If you have ever wondered what a Panic! At the Disco cover band fronted by Robert Smith’s theoretical daughter would sound like this is for you.

AMEN DUNES

Genre: Psychedelic folk rock.
Verdict: If you go to music festivals for the kombucha samples, this is for you.

CUCO

Genre: Teenage quinceanera singer fronting a melancholy indie band.
Verdict: This is actually one of the artists I want to see again because there is a bit of “Beatle-mania” surrounding him, just be prepared for a lot of screaming and crying teens.

POOLSIDE – “Feel Alright”

Genre: Disco for millennials.

WHETHAN – “Superlove”

Genre: Electro/Future bass/Music for pre-teen Fortnite players.
Verdict: If you’re in third grade, and love listening to EDM while sipping on your juice box, you’ll be in heaven.

All the bands in tiny print at Outside Lands you need to know