Fact: There is no better way to listen to live music than perched atop a picnic blanket on a large patch of grass.
With a bottle. And some company. And maybe another bottle.
Helping you achieve that: our shortlist of the 21 best outdoor shows of the season.
Get out your credit card — you won’t want to miss these.
Because she’s even better live than on Game of Thrones
Florence + the Machine at Concord Pavilion, May 15
Because it’s cheaper than a ticket to Havana
Carlitos Medrano & Sabor De Mi Cuba at Yerba Buena, May 16
Because she may be the best 2019 has to offer
Jenny Lewis at BottleRock, May 24
Because it’s been like a decade since you saw Buena Vista Social Club
El Gran Festival de Musica Cubana at Mountain Winery, May 31
Because you’re still out there
Dead & Company at Shoreline Amphitheatre, May 31 & June 1
Because the Tiny Desk Concert was fantastic
Betsayda Machado at Yerba Buena, June 1
Because love him or (maybe) hate him, he’s an incredibly sharp writer
Father John Misty at the Greek Theatre, June 8
Because it was gone but now it’s back
Lineup on the way but we’d go for the picnic at Phono del Sol, June 15
Because your wife still knows all the words to “Least Complicated” Indigo Girls at Mountain Winery, June 23
Because he wrote a truly superior memoir
Trevor Noah at Mountain Winery, July 1
Because maybe they’ll play “Head On” (BTW that song is older than basically everyone you work with)
Jesus and Mary Chain at Burger Boogaloo, July 6-7
Because she’s Mitski
Mitski at Stern Grove, July 14
Because sometimes all you want is to listen to the Beatles while sitting in the park
Beatles in the Park! at San Anselmo Arts Commission, July 27
Because it’s even prettier outside
The San Francisco Ballet at Stern Grove, July 28
Because your kids are going to love discovering the cultural traditions behind Moana (and real-life Pacific Islander music)
Māhealani Uchiyama at Yerba Buena, August 2
Because it’s time to get the tie-dye out
Assorted artists at Jerry Day, August 4
Because one’s wrapping up and the other’s just getting started
Paul Simon and Childish Gambino at Outside Lands, August 9-11
Because suburban angst sounds remarkably similar, even 30 years apart
Violent Femmes and Snail Mail at Thing, August 24-25
Because even if the line-up’s TBD, it’s a must-see
“Anyone who’s there” at Hiero Day, September 2
Because a little culture never hurt nobody
San Francisco Opera in Golden Gate Park, September 8
Because if she’s good enough for Barack Obama, she’s good enough for you
Brandi Carlile at the Greek Theatre, September 21
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