We decided to give Outside Lands another chance after they announced a fairly good lineup this year. We went the first year of the festival to see Radiohead and what I remembered from that year was no parking, walking miles, and a ton of people. Very much the same deal this year, attendance being about 60,000 and there wasn't one dedicated parking lot and some of the crowds for certain sets just were ridiculous. Over the first two days we saw three full sets and pieces of a few others, Beck, the Kills and an incredible set by Foo Fighters highlighted the first 2 days. The third day had a certain mystic to it from the beginning. The Third Man Records Rolling Record Store had made it's way from the home base in Nashville to various spots like Indy, Chicago, Omaha, Denver, LA and they had tweeted overnight being near the Pacific Ocean. We hoped they'd be inside the gates but couldn't be too sure, and once we were inside the venue we were stuck inside. They mentioned they'd be at Outside Lands around 9:30, however with the gates not opening until 11 we were in limbo for about an hour and a half. We found parking, walked towards the gates but of course were abruptly told, 'you can't stand here' go figure. Quickly I replied, 'we're waiting for a friend,' as the crowd began to thicken around us the security inquired 'how long before they show up?' which at that point we had absolutely no idea. We were asked to stand across the street with another couple who had the same answers to the usher's questions so I didn't hesitate to inquire if we were waiting for the same thing, which we were. So the four of us waited until the announcement of the Rolling Record Store being open and then we ran inside! It really started a sense of panic and we hoped we wouldn't be too late to get the Jack White Lightning Bolt Blunderbuss. It was a surreal scene, a bright yellow truck in the middle of the forest selling vinyl rarities and above anything else on the west coast. So with the task of tracking down our vinyl completed we were ready to enjoy some music! We caught one act and then returned to the RRS where we noticed a huge gathering, we knew there was probably a Jack White secret show in the works but we just hoped we weren't too late! We found spots behind an amp which turned out to be ok but not a terrific spot for us to see Jack and the full band, however after a brief 3 song set Jack wrapped up and passed the mic to Tom Morello which we did have a better spot for the one man act. This saved the weekend from being a total disappointment. Stevie Wonder closed out the festival and played all kinds of hits, from his own and even a song by the King of Pop, a perfect way to top off the festival.
