The tradition of holding rock concerts in Golden Gate Park began with the Great Human Be-in held at the Polo Fields on Jan. 14, 1967.  A record crowd of 20,000 people attended that historic event (some put the number closer to 30,000) and the entertainment included The Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Country Joe and the Fish, poets Alan Ginsberg, Gary Snyder, Lawrence Ferlinghetti  .  .  .  and much more.

The Outside Lands Music Festival (returning to Golden Gate Park for a fourth year this weekend, August 12-14) is sort of  like the Human Be-in on steroids (or LSD?).  Attendance at the first Outside Lands Concert, in 2008, was 130,000 people, boosted by the headlined band, Radiohead!  In 2009 and 2010 attendance was smaller, around 85,000.  This year there’s an impressive line-up of bands;  here’s the web site for the full schedule:

http://www.sfoutsidelands.com/

And here’s a preview from SPIN, the online music magazine:

“victory lap performances by some of 2011’s biggest touring bands — Arcade Fire, Black Keys, Muse — plus SPIN faves like Arctic Monkeys, MGMT, Big Boi, and the Joy Formidable.  .  .  [and] 10 wide-ranging SPIN recommendations. Check them out, listen to their music, and watch their videos!”

Preview by Peter Gaston

CLICK HERE TO BEGIN: 10 Must-Hear Artists at Outside Lands Fest | Park Rangers | SPIN.com.