Music Artists, Videos and News

MTV News has been keeping a close watch on the backstage happenings at the 2009 Outside Lands Festival, and we’ve been talking to so many artists that it’s sometimes difficult to find the time to actually stand in front of a stage and watch a band perform. But there was one person I definitely wanted to be in front of this weekend at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, and that person was Slug from Atmosphere. The Minneapolis rapper brought a healthy dose of hip-hop to the early afternoon proceedings and drew an impressive crowd despite the chilly conditions and the normal final day malaise that settles over most festivals.

Those of us who crowded in to see the show were not disappointed, as Slug ripped through a rugged set full of call-and-response anthems like “God Loves Ugly,” “Guns and Cigarettes” and “Trying to Find a Balance.” He brought out fellow Minnesotan Brother Ali to run hype and tag-team on a few verses, many of which included shout-outs to the Beastie Boys, who were supposed to headline Sunday night’s festivities but had to pull out because of MCA’s cancer treatment (they were replaced by Tenacious D, who close out the weekend tonight). Slug dropped in references to Beasties hits like “Intergalactic,” “Slow and Low” and “Sabotage,” all of which were greeted warmly by the rhyme-loving crowd nodding their heads and waving their hands.

It was a classic Atmosphere set, full of equal parts swagger, angst, funk and fury. Slug’s lyrics may be complex and hyper-literate, but like any good MC, he still knows how to move a crowd.

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There’s a chill in the air in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, which suits Jack White just fine. His latest band, the Dead Weather (a collaboration with members of the Kills, Queens of the Stone Age and the Greenhornes) took the stage in the middle of the afternoon on the final day of the 썙 Outside Lands Festival, but not before sitting down with MTV News to talk about the dangers of festivals, writing on the road and what makes the Dead Weather “evil.”

“I had heard that it was going to be 100 degrees here today, so I’m really glad it’s a little chilly,” White told us. Singer Alison Mosshart’s concerns were different. “I’m worried that it’s the middle of the day and still light out. It’s better in the dark.”

The band wears darkness well. Each member was clad in all black, and when asked what each member gets out of the Dead Weather that they don’t get with their other projects, Mosshart said that this band was “more evil.”

But what makes them so evil? White had the answer. “This guy,” he said, pointing to unassuming bassist Jack Lawrence. “He says evil things in his sleep. That’s how we write songs.”

Lawrence must be doing a lot of subconscious babbling, because White says the group already has 15 new songs ready to go, and they plan to record them (as well as a few covers) as soon as possible. “We’re really looking forward to getting back in the studio for a new record,” said White. “I’m really excited for these songs.”

The crowd was excited too, as the Dead Weather laid out thick slabs of roadhouse art-blues that inspired more than a few mid-afternoon freakouts. And yes, it sounded more than a little bit evil.

(Check out more photos from the 2009 Outside Lands Festival, featuring Black Eyed Peas, Jason Mraz, Dave Matthews Band and more!)

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Last night before their bouncy, euphoric performance at the Outside Lands Festival, MTV News caught up with Fergie, Taboo and Apl.De.Ap of the Black Eyed Peas to talk about their recent chart record and the inspiration behind their summer smash “I Gotta Feeling,” but they also took time out to mourn a friend. DJ AM had worked and partied with the Peas on multiple occasions, and the news of his death hit them hard.

“”We couldn’t believe it. We were just with him [last] Friday in Las Vegas,” explained Taboo. “We DJed with him and we took a couple pictures, and to hear it is devastating.” The night in question was AM’s standing Friday night gig at the Palms Casino, which often featured guest appearances by the DJ’s famous friends (of which he had many).

Fergie not only appreciated AM as a friend and collaborator but also as an artist who inspired her. “I remember going to this club called Firehouse back in the day,” she said. “It was, like, the summer of ‘98 and he used to spin there. It’s a big dance club and this one night I remember there was basically 10 people in the club, but I really wanted to dance that night. They kept the club open and he kept spinning really good music. He was so cool like that.”

Like many of the artists paying tribute to him, Fergie noted AM’s kindheartedness. “There wasn’t a mean bone in that guy’s body,” she told MTV News. Though the Peas did not acknowledge AM during their performance a few minutes later, the group members are clearly holding their fallen friend in their hearts.

(Check out photos from this year’s Outside Lands Festival, including Black Eyed Peas, Dave Matthews Band, Jason Mraz and more!)

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As we move into the third day of the 2009 version of the Outside Lands Festival in San Francisco, the number of memorable musical moments are already piling up. Pearl Jam delivered a veteran set, Black Eyed Peas moved thousands to collective euphoria and the Mars Volta absolutely scorched Golden Gate Park. But there has been one particular performance that has really stuck with me, and luckily I’ve been able to see it again and again. And it’s not even from a band listed on the official lineup — rather, it’s the Outside Lands theme song, sung by a couple of puppets.

This video plays periodically before the main stage bands appear, and it’s a fantastic little bluegrass ditty that name-checks many of the groups at the show. It’s gotten stuck in my head more than once this weekend, but the real joy is the accompanying video, in which three puppets play the tune using jugband instruments. The vocals are handled by Ranger Dave, who acts as a sort of patron saint of Outside Lands (he even “writes” the festival’s official Twitter). Washboard duties are handled by some sort of small woodland creature (a beaver perhaps?), while the banjo playing is left up to a bison. The bison is the power animal of this weekend’s festival, showing up in much of the literature and artwork (the passes MTV News has been using all weekend are even labeled “Bison”). It’s a reference to a famous herd of bison who live in a paddock in the park.

In between conducting interviews with stars and catching some sweet music, this video has made me laugh every time. Maybe I’m just wrapped up in the energy of the weekend, but you can decide for yourself.

SF Outside Lands from Outside Lands on Vimeo.

(Check out photos from this year’s Outside Lands Festival, including Black Eyed Peas, Dave Matthews Band, Jason Mraz and more!)

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Following a set of loose, groovy surf music, Jason Mraz stopped by the MTV News tent at the Outside Lands Festival in San Francisco to explain how a raw food restaurant inspired his album, the science behind his record-breaking smash “I’m Yours” and what he hopes his music inspires in his fans (which apparently has a lot to do with high-fives).

“I want people to high-five a stranger during my show,” Mraz told us. He then proceeded to do just that, grabbing a passerby and bringing him into the interview. “How are you feeling today, man?” Mraz asked, suddenly auditioning for the job of MTV News correspondent. The guy he grabbed — who I later learned is the frontman for the Morning Benders — played right along, repeatedly high-fiving Mraz and talking about love. When Mraz had enough of him, he sent him away, only to make the hand phone gesture and mouth “Call me” after his exit.

(Check out photos from this year’s Outside Lands Festival, including Black Eyed Peas, Dave Matthews Band, Jason Mraz and more!)

But the excitement surrounding Mraz didn’t end there. By the end of the interview, a small crowd had noticed that we were talking to him and gathered in an area just below us. As soon as we wrapped up, people swarmed to grab photos and shout adoration in the singer-songwriter’s direction. Feeling wrapped up by the moment, Mraz lifted his shirt to flash the crowd (which resulted in a big cheer) before disappearing into the backstage area. Mraz knows how to have a good time and knows what the people want, and on Saturday at Outside Lands, he was firing on all cylinders.

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