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On Scene for Aug. 29

Friday, August 29, 2008

Better than music?

There are few things I like more than music. I spend hours at my computer finding new bands, and I can’t run more than 10 steps without my iPod. So when I heard the Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival was being held a few blocks from my best friend’s apartment in San Francisco, I immediately bought a ticket.

Not only did it promise great bands — Radiohead, my favorite, as well as up-and-comers Bon Iver, The Cool Kids, etc. — it also afforded me an excuse to travel to San Francisco.

On Friday afternoon (Aug. 22) my friend John and I headed to Golden Gate Park and were greeted by the sounds of Beck. We weren’t greeted by Beck himself, because the view of the stage was partially blocked, but at least we heard the infamous two turntables and microphone.

We went on to Radiohead, where huge screens behind and to the sides of the performers ensured that even if you weren’t close enough to see Thom Yorke’s droopy eye in person, the singer was larger than life on the screens.

Amazed and dazed, we wandered away from the concert toward John’s apartment.

For the second day, John — who works a low-paying job helping emotionally distraught children in downtown San Francisco — didn’t have the money for a ticket to the festival. I had purchased my tickets far in advance, so I planned to have lunch with John and his longtime girlfriend, Jenny, before hitting up the second day’s acts of Cake, Liars, Lupe Fiasco and the headliner, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers.

We had a picnic in the park as the three of us caught up and reminisced about that time so long ago — two years — when we shared an apartment in college.

Suddenly, John turned to me and with panic in his voice said, “What about the concert?”

Without realizing it, we had spent the better part of the day traveling around the city and lazily eating croissants in the park. It was now 3:45 p.m., and several of the acts I had wanted to see already had played.

“Well, this is what I really came to San Francisco for,” I said, realizing it was true even as I said it. “I’ll catch them some other time.”

We finished our lunch, took another bus and spent the rest of the day walking around Market Street, trying on silly hats and laughing .

Music is great. But it turns out that some things are even better.

— Zach Fridell, 4 Points