The 17th annual Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival returned to San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park on August 8, 2025, transforming the historic green space into a vibrant hub of music, art, and culture. Known for drawing some of the biggest names in contemporary music, this year’s event offered an added treat for fans who couldn’t make the trip to the Bay Area. Amazon Music partnered with Prime Video and Twitch to livestream the festival for free, beginning each day at 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time. The broadcast gave audiences worldwide the chance to experience the performances in real time, creating a shared festival atmosphere that spanned far beyond the park’s borders.
Friday’s opening lineup set the tone for an energetic and diverse weekend. The day’s performances included rising stars and established acts such as NewDad, Destroy Boys, Inji, Almost Monday, Mannequin Pussy, Vansire, Still Woozy, MARINA, Doechii, and John Summit. The night closed with a headline performance from global pop icon Doja Cat, who delivered a show that quickly became one of the most talked-about moments of the festival. Her set, blending theatrical flair with crowd-pleasing hits, featured songs from her chart-topping albums as well as live debuts from her forthcoming fifth record, Vie. Wearing an ’80s-inspired zebra-striped catsuit and platinum-blonde hair, she brought a mix of nostalgia and futuristic pop style to the stage.
Doja Cat’s performance also carried a local twist. Midway through her set, she surprised fans with the announcement of an intimate aftershow at Oasis, a beloved San Francisco queer club set to close later this year. The announcement immediately drew excitement among attendees and underscored the festival’s strong connection to the city’s vibrant LGBTQ+ community. For many, the moment was a reminder that Outside Lands is more than a music event—it’s a cultural gathering that reflects and supports the diverse communities of the Bay Area.
Beyond the music, the festival once again embraced its reputation as a multi-sensory experience. Spread across the Polo Field, Hellman Hollow, Speedway Meadow, and Marx Meadow, the grounds hosted immersive art installations, drag performances, and interactive spaces designed for activism and civic engagement. Attendees could sample food from more than 95 Bay Area restaurants, browse pop-up shops, and even participate in on-site weddings—a tradition that has become one of Outside Lands’ most unconventional yet celebrated offerings.
The livestream, available for free to Prime members or anyone using a 30-day trial, was designed to replicate the experience for those at home. Amazon Music promoted the stream as a “virtual front-row seat,” complete with high-definition visuals, multiple camera angles, and uninterrupted coverage of the festival’s biggest acts. The online broadcast also served as a way for artists to reach new audiences, many of whom might not have the opportunity to attend in person due to travel, cost, or ticket availability.
Since its inception in 2008, Outside Lands has grown from a regional event into one of the premier music festivals in the United States, often selling out months in advance. Its location in Golden Gate Park offers a unique backdrop that blends the natural beauty of San Francisco with the creative energy of the global music scene. This year’s emphasis on digital accessibility reflects a broader trend in the festival industry, where livestreaming has become a key tool for expanding reach and building global fan engagement.
With a lineup that spans genres from indie rock to hip-hop and electronic dance music, and a programming slate that goes far beyond the stage, Outside Lands 2025 continues to solidify its place as both a cultural landmark and a forward-thinking festival. By merging in-person vibrancy with a robust online presence, it ensures that the spirit of Golden Gate Park resonates well beyond the city—making it one of the few major festivals that truly manages to bring the world together through music.
