Outside Lands rocks the park

Shit, Tenacious D is still around?

You remember them: Jack Black, Kyle Gass, mock rockers who have the, uh, “greatest rock band in the world.” The “Wonderboy” crooners will be closing what’s fast becoming one of the best music events in the country: Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival. And 2009 is only its second incarnation.

Let me explain. In those “outside lands” of west San Francisco that were once deemed uninhabitable back in the day—19th century back in the day—Golden Gate Park emerged. Through the decades, the park progressed from hosting boring croquet matches to experimental hippie gatherings to finally, in 2008, awesome Outside Lands with performances by Tom Petty, Radiohead, Ben Harper and more. This year, 70 artists will pack the park, including Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews Band, The Mars Volta, M.I.A., Modest Mouse and Matt & Kim.

So anyone who doesn’t attend at least one of the three music-filled days is either dull or broke. True, the festival isn’t cheap, but purchasing individual tickets to see even a handful of the headliners would get uncomfortably close to unaffordable.

Now you’re at a crossroads: Call in sick next Friday, vow to save money by eating at home for a couple weeks and experience an amazing music event. Or be a pussy and spend your hard-earned cash on lattes and designer clothes. It’s your call.