Outside Lands 2024 Recap: Street Art Highlights & Festival Energy

Last weekend San Francisco’s iconic Golden Gate Park was electrified by top hits from headliners like The Killers, Sabrina Carpenter, Sturgill Simpson, and the rapidly rising star Chappell Roan. But amidst the catchy tunes and a city within a city of curated cocktails and gourmet food vendors, Outside Lands 2024 was about more than just the music—it was a celebration of creativity in all its forms. 

At Voss Gallery, we’re passionate about championing local artists and celebrating those magical moments when art seamlessly weaves itself into the fabric of our everyday lives. This year, we were thrilled to immerse ourselves in the Outsider Art event at Outside Lands, where we supported the participating artists and experienced the vibrant synergy of art and music firsthand. Sponsored by Monster Energy, this art activation brought together 15 dynamic street artists, each live-painting portable murals that later adorned the festival grounds. Beyond creating new works, these artists forged meaningful connections with the community, turning the festival into a vibrant, open-air gallery brimming with creativity.

A Weekend of Art in Action

The scene at the Monster Energy tent was electric as we captured candid moments with the artists bringing their murals to life. The vibrant atmosphere was heightened by enthusiastic brand ambassadors, who kept the crowd buzzing with excitement and handed out samples of the latest Monster Energy flavors, adding a caffeinated kick to the experience.

From the bold, vibrant works of RISK to the culturally rich murals by Urban Aztec (Jesse Hernandez), each artist infused their personality into the festival’s artistic landscape. Ricky Watts, known for his fluid, colorful gradients, shared what makes painting at Outside Lands so special: “It’s the energy of the crowd, every time. I’ve done this a few times, and it’s always intense painting in front of an audience this size. It feels overwhelming and intimidating at the beginning of the day. But once the paint starts flowing, it calms the nerves, and I can have fun with the crowd. Feeling that energy and connection is such a high. By the end of the afternoon, I don’t want it to end.”

Reflecting on his work this year, Ricky added, “It was a continuation of the colorful, abstract works I’ve become known for over the years. I like to keep it loose and let the work unfold during the day. With everything going on around, it’s hard to stay focused on a plan or a sketch, so I kept it light and had fun.” His vibrant, spontaneous approach resonated with festival-goers, who watched in awe as his painting evolved throughout the day.

As we roamed the festival, we couldn’t help but feel the deep sense of community fostered by the live painting sessions, where artists like Amanda Lynn, Alyx McClain, Bud Snow, and Spice each brought their unique style to capture the crowd’s imagination.

Fun fact: Amanda Lynn guest-curated a group exhibition featuring all-female mural artists at Voss Gallery in April 2021. You can read more about it here.

The creativity extended beyond murals, with artists such as John Dozier, MESNGR, Drane, and the team at Straight Edge Creative crafting stunning tunnel paintings that added another layer of artistic expression to the festival. Adding a playful twist to the mix, Balloonski’s innovative balloon art blended forward-thinking creativity with retro nostalgia, sparking conversations and smiles alike.

Behind the Scenes at the Monster Energy Zone

The Monster Energy zone buzzed with creativity and collaboration all weekend long. It was a thrill to meet and chat with some of the featured artists, immersing ourselves in the spontaneous action that truly kept the spirit of the event alive.

Bud Snow, a Bay Area artist whose work radiates joy and connection, summed up the significance of participating at the festival: “It’s exciting to paint at Outside Lands because over the years the festival has worked with many legendary artists and graffiti writers, making it an annual institution in the Bay Area. Also, the line-ups are always insane in the best way—it’s so cool to be a part of this magic. I enjoy painting in public and connecting with art enthusiasts and the greater community. It’s fun and it’s good vibes!”

Reflecting on her creative process, Bud shared, “My work is always spiritual in nature—this year, I aimed to give voice to the ephemeral, non-physical connections we experience, like those with loved ones who have passed. I painted ravens as guardians to another realm, representing the spiritual, eternal sphere.” Her mural became a poignant piece that resonated deeply with those who experienced it.

The Power of Art to Connect and Inspire

Beyond the bold murals and a seemingly bottomless supply of energy drinks, sponsored activations like this at Outside Lands are powerful platforms for community-building and creative expression. The live painting sessions not only showcased the artistic process but also provided festival-goers with a unique opportunity to engage with the artists, fostering deeper connections to both the art and the broader community outside of a traditional gallery setting.

Daniela Arrecis of Metal Haus Gallery remarked, "Year after year, the art and murals at Outside Lands delight me. There's something magical about watching artists bring their visions to life, all while the weekend provides the perfect soundtrack and backdrop to the creative process. Shout out to Monster for being a true patron of the arts!"

Ricky Watts also reflected on the broader impact of the art component at the festival: “The live painting at Outside Lands is curated by Jeben Berg. Each year he brings in incredible talent to participate. What’s unique about this festival is every piece from every year is saved and preserved for following festivals. There are now hundreds of murals displayed throughout the park, and every year it grows a little more. It has become a massive outdoor gallery. People connect with the work, for some it triggers memories of years past. I always enjoy seeing the crowd engage with the outdoor gallery and take photos in front of the paintings.”

Monster Energy, a proud sponsor of the Outsider Art event, has consistently supported art at festivals like Outside Lands, contributing to dynamic cultural experiences that bring people together. The company believes in the power of creativity to inspire and connect communities, and this was evident through the incredible work of the artists featured at the event.

Looking Ahead

While Outside Lands 2024 may have come to a close, the impact of the art created during the festival will continue to resonate, with many of the portable murals set to be displayed at future iterations of the event. We’re excited to keep following these talented artists and see how their work evolves—much like the incredible artists we work with at Voss Gallery, who are constantly pushing the boundaries of contemporary art.

Whether you visited the Monster Energy activation during the festival or are just learning about it through our recap, we encourage you to explore the artists featured at the event by visiting their websites linked throughout this post. Their innovative approaches and dynamic styles beautifully complement the diverse array of creative minds that make our gallery a vibrant hub in the Mission District located within San Francisco’s local art scene.

We invite you to visit us during gallery hours or explore our available artwork online to discover more about the artists we represent and how their work contributes to the ongoing dialogue between art, music, and community. Let’s continue to celebrate this fusion of creativity and the powerful connections it fosters!