Outside Land’s creators double down on music fests to help revitalize San Francisco

Outside Land's creators double down on music fests to help revitalize San Francisco

As a seasoned music enthusiast and San Francisco native, I must say that this year’s Outside Lands festival was nothing short of spectacular. The city truly showcased its vibrant spirit and rich musical history, all while revitalizing our community and boosting our economy.


As a longtime resident of the Bay Area, I have been fortunate enough to witness Outside Lands grow and evolve over the years. It started as a small music festival but has now become a cultural phenomenon that attracts tens of thousands of people each year. This past weekend marked its 16th anniversary, and it was nothing short of amazing! I attended every day, and I must say that the performances by world-class artists from various genres were outstanding. Synth-pop superstar Chappell Roan, Americana torch-bearer Charley Crockett, and avant-garde icon Grace Jones delivered sets that will be remembered for years to come.

As a die-hard cinema enthusiast, let me share some exciting news from the world of music! This coming Saturday, just days after Outside Lands wrapped up, the stage will be set for a unique, post-dark concert experience in Golden Gate Park. Featuring none other than System of a Down and Deftones, this event will mark the first standalone show utilizing the festival’s infrastructure.

As a dedicated film enthusiast, I can’t help but share this intriguing insight: “I’ve noticed that an overwhelming 90% of our audience hails from beyond the borders of San Francisco,” reveals Allen Scott, president of concerts and festivals at Another Planet Entertainment. “What’s particularly noteworthy is that these individuals aren’t merely attending the show; they’re making it a point to extend their stay, often spending entire weekends or even longer. Consequently, this influx has a substantial, positive economic ripple effect on our beloved city.”

As a passionate moviegoer, I’m thrilled to share that APE, now the leading independent concert promoter in the U.S., has deepened its dedication to the Bay Area by teaming up with San Francisco city officials to create an exciting new lineup of concerts. The ultimate goal is not just to entertain, but also to reframe the city’s image, addressing concerns about inner-city crime and poverty. Here’s to revitalizing the heart of the city we love!

Scott explains, “A story circulates claiming that San Francisco is stuck in a cycle of decline or experiencing urban decay. While it’s true that we face challenges here in San Francisco and the Bay Area, these are issues also experienced by many other cities across the nation. However, this is our home, and we’re committed to it. Our aim is to demonstrate to the world the essence of San Francisco and why it stands as a leading global city.”

For several years, APE has been assessing the financial influence of their events by carrying out surveys. Over the course of 16 years, significant concerts such as Outside Lands have contributed more than a billion dollars to the local economy according to Allen. In the year 2017, around 73% of non-local festival attendees stayed in the Bay Area for at least three nights, leading to approximately 41,448 booked hotel stays. APE’s upcoming event series aims to entice music enthusiasts from both within and outside the city to different neighborhoods, as stated by Allen.

Outside Land's creators double down on music fests to help revitalize San Francisco

Gregg Perloff, head of Another Planet Entertainment, sees these events as an extension of San Francisco’s long-standing musical legacy. As he puts it, “San Francisco has always been about more than just music – it’s about art, culture, and rhythm.” Perlof explains that APE strives to stimulate the local economy, offer employment opportunities, and cultivate distinctive, secure venues by harnessing the city’s deep-seated vitality.

“I’ve come to see things much like Perloff does: it seems that the shift towards remote work by many tech industry employees has led to some issues in San Francisco. The absence of daily commuters, as I understand it, has contributed to the closure of numerous small, family-owned businesses. And with fewer people downtown during the week, we’ve noticed an increase in homeless individuals setting up camps in a centralized area.”

“Perloff acknowledges that we’ve faced issues with tents and cleanliness, but he notes the remarkable progress made over the past year. In areas where we conduct many events, such as downtown, the problems tend to diminish significantly when there’s increased activity.”

In June, APE organized an electronic music event featuring Fred Again… and Skrillex at San Francisco’s Civic Center. The tickets were quickly snapped up, and a crowd of 25,000 people gathered to enjoy the performance outside City Hall. Mayor London Breed was spotted dancing backstage with other city officials, demonstrating the city’s support for the event. “We are thankful for Another Planet as our partners in providing fun experiences and performances for our residents and visitors,” said Mayor Breed. “Bringing Fred Again… and Skrillex together was a testament to what we can achieve cooperatively, and we look forward to building on this momentum.”

Besides organized events requiring tickets, APE is also organizing several free concerts across the city. The inaugural event happened at Embarcadero Plaza on July 21 and showcased DJs from California record label Dirtybird Records. Initially, the city proposed small, free concerts in different locations to APE, but this event demonstrated that their production team has more ambitious plans. Approximately 10,000 people attended Embarcadero Plaza for a five-hour rave on a Sunday afternoon.

As more events are planned for this year, APE is eyeing an expansion of the series for next year. “There’s a wealth of other music genres we can explore and put together entertaining lineups,” Scott notes. “We’re not just about music and events, but also about bringing culture to various parts of the city and keeping the excitement alive in diverse locations.”

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2024-08-16 22:01

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