By Azzam Bilal 
HangupsMusic.com – San Francisco, as the coastal fog begins to roll across the lush greenery of Golden Gate Park, the city prepares for the return of its most iconic musical gathering. Outside Lands is officially back for its 2026 edition, scheduled to take place from August 7 through August 9. While the festival has long been a staple of the Northern California summer, this year’s installment carries a particular emotional weight. It marks the first gathering of the Outside Lands community since the passing of its beloved co-founder, Jonathan Mayers. Mayers, a visionary in the festival industry who also helped launch Bonnaroo, left an indelible mark on the live music landscape, and his legacy is expected to be honored throughout the three-day event.
This year’s lineup is a masterclass in curation, blending massive global superstars with avant-garde indie darlings and rising stars across the electronic, hip-hop, and rock spectrums. Leading the charge are headliners Charli XCX, the Strokes, and RÜFÜS DU SOL. These acts represent the diverse sonic palette that Outside Lands has become known for over the decades. Beyond the headliners, the bill is stacked with a formidable roster of talent, including a rare appearance by the xx, the high-energy hardcore of Turnstile, and the lyrical prowess of Baby Keem. For those unable to make the trek to the Bay Area, the festival is continuing its tradition of accessibility through a comprehensive digital broadcast. In partnership with Amazon, the festival will be available via livestream on Prime Video and the Amazon Music Twitch channel, with broadcasts beginning daily at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time.
Friday’s kickoff promises an eclectic mix of genres, setting the tone for the weekend. On the main stages, attendees can expect a journey through the pop-experimentalism of Grace Ives and the desert-blues-infused electronic sounds of Kerala Dust. As the afternoon matures, the park will ring with the country-folk stylings of Sierra Ferrell before transitioning into a powerhouse evening. Tinashe is set to bring her signature R&B choreography to the stage, followed by the post-punk energy of Geese. One of the day’s most anticipated moments will be the return of the legendary rap duo Clipse, whose influence on the genre remains unparalleled. The night will culminate in a double-header of monumental proportions: the pop-cultural phenomenon Charli XCX, fresh off a period of immense global dominance, followed by the explosive, genre-defying energy of Turnstile.
Simultaneously, Channel 2 on Friday will cater to those seeking a different flavor of intensity. From the raw punk of Die Spitz to the soulful, theatrical performance of Durand Bernarr, the second stage is designed for discovery. Pop-punk fans will flock to see The Story So Far, while the quirky, infectious indie-rock of Wet Leg is sure to be a highlight of the afternoon. The evening takes a turn toward the electronic with ALLEYCVT, followed by the cinematic soul of Labrinth. Modest Mouse will provide a nostalgic yet vital indie-rock set before the night closes with the massive bass-heavy collaboration of GRiZTRONICS.
Saturday serves as a testament to the festival’s commitment to indie excellence and electronic innovation. The day begins with a sense of mystery as the TBD slot on Channel 1 invites speculation, followed by the poignant songwriting of Lucy Dacus. As the sun begins to set, the ethereal and haunting melodies of Ethel Cain will fill the park, followed by the infectious indie-pop of Djo. The evening reaches a fever pitch with the xx, whose minimalist and emotive soundscapes are perfectly suited for the San Francisco atmosphere. The night concludes with the legendary cool of The Strokes, a band that helped define the sound of the 21st-century rock revival.
For those watching the second channel on Saturday, the day offers a deep dive into underground and experimental sounds. Acts like Read Leather and Haute & Freddy provide an early-day spark, while Yard Act brings a sharp, British post-punk edge to the proceedings. The evening shifts into a global electronic showcase, featuring the likes of UK1MAT$U and the gritty, high-octane energy of Snow Strippers. The night will wrap up with a unique presentation from Odd Mob & Omnom, who will debut their Hyperbeam project, a must-see for house music aficionados.
Sunday traditionally serves as the grand finale, and 2026 is no exception. In a rare scheduling move, Death Cab for Cutie is slated to perform twice on the main channel, bookending the day’s festivities. This double appearance likely signals a special celebration of their storied career or a performance of two distinct sets. Joining them on the final day are the Australian synth-pop legends Empire of the Sun, whose theatrical live shows are the stuff of festival legend. Hip-hop fans will be treated to the frenetic energy of Baby Keem, while The Temper Trap will provide a soaring, anthemic afternoon set.
The second channel on Sunday offers a more communal and diverse experience, beginning with the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus—a local institution that embodies the spirit of the city. The lineup continues with the fuzzy indie-rock of Momma and the smooth, contemporary R&B of Destin Conrad. As the festival nears its end, the focus shifts toward the dance floor with Sultan + Shepard and Disco Lines. The weekend will find its emotional and rhythmic conclusion with the R&B stylings of Mariah the Scientist and a closing set from the melodic house master Lane 8, whose "This Never Happened" ethos provides the perfect meditative end to a whirlwind weekend.
Outside Lands has always been more than just a music festival; it is a celebration of the unique culture of San Francisco. Beyond the stages, the festival’s "Taste of the Bay" program remains a major draw, featuring dozens of local restaurants that elevate festival dining to a gourmet experience. Similarly, the "Wine Lands" and "Beer Lands" sections offer curated selections from Northern California’s world-renowned vineyards and breweries, ensuring that the local flavor is present in every aspect of the event.
As the festival moves forward into this new era, the shadow of Jonathan Mayers remains, but so does the joy he helped create. The 2026 edition stands as a bridge between the past and the future—a place where the legacy of a founder meets the evolving sounds of a new generation. Whether experienced on the grass of Golden Gate Park or through a screen thousands of miles away, Outside Lands continues to prove why it is one of the most vital cultural events in the world.
Below is the complete streaming schedule for the weekend, allowing fans worldwide to synchronize their watches and join the celebration.
Outside Lands 2026 Livestream Schedule
(All times listed in Pacific Daylight Time)
Friday, August 7, 2026
Channel 1
3:05 PM – Grace Ives
3:50 PM – Kerala Dust
4:40 PM – Sierra Ferrell
5:45 PM – Tinashe
6:40 PM – Geese
7:45 PM – Clipse
8:40 PM – Charli XCX
10:05 PM – Turnstile
Channel 2
3:05 PM – Die Spitz
3:55 PM – Durand Bernarr
4:50 PM – The Story So Far
5:40 PM – Wet Leg
6:35 PM – ALLEYCVT
7:30 PM – Labrinth
8:50 PM – Modest Mouse
9:55 PM – GRiZTRONICS
Saturday, August 8, 2026
Channel 1
3:05 PM – TBD
4:00 PM – Lucy Dacus
4:55 PM – Łaszewo
5:45 PM – Ethel Cain
6:50 PM – It’s Murph
8:05 PM – Djo
9:10 PM – The xx
10:30 PM – The Strokes
Channel 2
3:05 PM – Read Leather
3:30 PM – Haute & Freddy
4:20 PM – Yard Act
5:10 PM – After
5:55 PM – Audrey Hobert
6:50 PM – ¥ØU$UK€ ¥UK1MAT$U
7:45 PM – Malcolm Todd
8:50 PM – Snow Strippers
9:40 PM – Odd Mob & Omnom present Hyperbeam
Sunday, August 9, 2026
Channel 1
3:05 PM – Death Cab for Cutie
3:55 PM – Sosocamo
4:45 PM – Jade
5:50 PM – The Temper Trap
6:45 PM – Empire of the Sun
7:50 PM – Not for Radio
8:45 PM – Baby Keem
10:05 PM – Death Cab for Cutie
Channel 2
3:05 PM – SF Gay Men’s Chorus
3:45 PM – Momma
4:35 PM – Balu Brigada
5:30 PM – Destin Conrad
6:25 PM – Kingfishr
7:20 PM – Sultan + Shepard
8:15 PM – Disco Lines
9:20 PM – Mariah the Scientist
10:25 PM – Lane 8
