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But Outside Lands isn't for everyone. It's expensive; it's tiring; it's cold. And it's a big festival, meaning big crowds, long lines, inconvenience. It could get even bigger — the festival's permit allows for 75,000 people per day, but Scott says they're not looking to expand, yet. Doing so would require an overhaul of the festival, "to keep it comfortable" for those attending.
The Another Planet team gets this, and is able to appeal to locals and out-of-towners alike, because they live here, too. And they understand that San Franciscans aren't above a little navel-gazing.
But the question remains: Can this momentum continue through an eventual economic downturn? Perhaps. Outside Lands was able to ride out 2009 and 2010, and the organizers seem confident that they can stay in tune with the city's taste. But for now, the city, and the festival, will take things as they come.
Everyone has his or her own idea of a memorable festival moment, and it's easy to get misty-eyed when talking about Paul McCartney's three-hour set of Beatles classics, or 2012's Stevie Wonder sing-along. But when asked for their own top Outside Lands memories, Scott, Duquette, Farman, and Vaziri all go back to 2008, and Wilco's Sunday afternoon performance.
The sun had come out, and the park finally felt warm. After a rough start, Friday's madness had given way to a scene that almost felt orderly; people were starting to know their way around the festival.
The crowd felt the relief too. And as the lilting opening notes of "California Stars" drifted out, Jeff Tweedy was met with a rising cheer. Everyone sang along:
"I'd like to rest my heavy head tonight on a bed of California stars..."
It wasn't necessarily the defining moment of Outside Lands. But it was a moment when things seemed to fall into place. It was a time to enjoy the possibility of what this festival had the chance to become, in a city that knew how to appreciate it.
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