San Francisco’s 21 Don’t-Miss Outdoor Concerts

And one inside, because you know it’ll rain

By The Editors
June 6, 2016 9:00 am

Nothing says summer like outdoor music and beer.

Which is conveniently S.F. can expect in spades over the next four months.

Anthemic ’80s classics? You’ll see plenty. Same goes for ’90s rock gods. And ’00s emo dudes. And ’10s future-classics-in-the-making.

We’ve got 21 of the best outdoor shows rolling through town this summer. Pick a date, pony up your cash and pull out the picnic blanket.

Because it’s Bob F-ing Dylan
Bob Dylan and Mavis Staples at the Greek Theatre, June 9-10

Because your girlfriend can’t get that song out of her head
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros at the Greek Theatre, June 11

Because she earned the comparisons, way back in 2013, to both Bowie and Prince
Janelle Monáe at Stern Grove Festival, June 19

Because after 20 years, BLACKsummers’night (part two) really is coming (on July 1)
Maxwell at Mountain Winery, June 21

Because it’s the buy-one-get-three ticket of the season
k.d. lang, Neko Case, and Laura Veirs at Mountain Winery, June 25

Because “The Most Beautiful Girl in the Room” is even funnier live
Flight of the Conchords at Shoreline Amphitheatre, June 28

Because Daveed Diggs is just one of Oakland’s great hip-hop voices
Hieroglyphics at Stern Grove Festival, July 3

Because emo is surprisingly more digestible a warm summer night
Dashboard Confessional at Concord Pavilion, July 12

Because they’re the best thing to come out of Ohio since chili over spaghetti
Twenty One Pilots at the Greek Theatre, July 21-22

Because “Boys of Summer” on the lake is a good situation
Don Henley at Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena at Harvey’s, July 24

Because “Float On” will always be a superior summer song
Modest Mouse at the Greek Theatre, July 28

Because literally anything could happen
Guns ‘n’ Roses at AT&T Park, August 9

Because freshman-year-on-the-quad nostalgia
Dave Matthews Band at the Greek Theatre, August 29

Because you needed a reason to get out to Tahoe early for Labor Day weekend
Stevie Wonder at Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena at Harvey’s, September 2

Because a dark heart has rarely sounded so utterly danceable
Tame Impala at the Greek Theatre, September 2-3

Because you just Netflix’d Deutschland 83 and want a live equivalent
“Lost 80’s Live” with A Flock of Seagulls, Wang Chung, Cutting Crew, Berlin, Nu Shooz, Tommy Tutone, Dramarama at Mountain Winery, September 3

Because there’s more to us than tech
“San Francisco Fest” with Santana, Journey, and the Steve Miller Band and the Doobie Brothers at AT&T Park, September 4

Because desperation sounds best coming out of this particular mouth
Ray Lamontagne at the Green Theatre, September 9

Because 20 years later, Car Wheels on a Gravel Road is still breaking hearts
Lucinda Williams at Mountain Winery, September 14

Because “Pour Some Sugar on Me” has aged surprisingly well
Def Leppard, REO Speedwagon and Tesla at Shoreline Amphitheatre, September 25

Because what’s your age, again?
Blink 182 at Shoreline Amphitheatre, September 28

Photos: Stern Grove by Scott Wall. Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros by Laure Vincent Bouleau. Flight of the Conchords by Matt Grace. Tame Impala by Matt Sav

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