Iconic Golden Gate Bridge revitalizes San Francisco’s image
Another Planet Entertainment (APE), a leading US independent promoter, recently concluded a series of events at San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, marking a significant milestone for the firm. The festivities included the celebration of the Grateful Dead’s 60th anniversary with a three-night stand, the 17th edition of the Outside Lands Music Festival, and a one-off show from Zach Bryan. With a total attendance of 450,000 from 38 countries and all 50 states, the events generated an estimated $200 million for the city.
Bryan Duquette, a core member of APE and co-founder of Outside Lands, described the experience as “legendary” and the biggest success the company has achieved consecutively. Inspired by BST Hyde Park’s model of consecutive weekend day festivals, this year saw the expansion of the Golden Gate Park Concerts series, which included standalone ticketed shows and free concerts in downtown San Francisco.
The Golden Gate program kicked off with a historic three-night celebration of the Grateful Dead, featuring the band’s spinoff, Dead & Company. With former Grateful Dead members Bob Weir and Mickey Hart, along with John Mayer, Oteil Burbridge, Jeff Chimenti, and Jay Lane, the performances attracted 170,000 ‘deadheads’. The connection to the band’s rich legacy was palpable, with the celebratory stand supported by Billy Strings, Sturgill Simpson, and Trey Anastasio Band.
Leading up to the shows, the city of San Francisco embraced the event with rainbow tie-dye banners, themed transportation, and pop-up markets celebrating the Grateful Dead’s history. Apple even launched a maps integration highlighting key locations in the band’s past. Duquette noted the revitalization of San Francisco, attributing it to events like these that draw tourists and elevate the city’s energy.
The following weekend, Outside Lands took over the park, showcasing a diverse lineup of artists like Tyler, the Creator, Doja Cat, and Hozier. With infrastructure already in place from the earlier events, the festival successfully expanded to eight stages before scaling back down for Zach Bryan’s one-off show.
A standout moment of the festival was Vampire Weekend’s double-duty performance that opened and closed the Twin Peaks stage, a unique experience for attendees. The festival also introduced an elevated electronic music experience with a redesigned stage that garnered attention from agents and artists alike.
The series of events culminated with Zach Bryan’s country-infused show, bringing in 55,000 fans to cap off the successful run. Duquette highlighted APE’s commitment to energizing San Francisco and contributing to its cultural vibrancy through music events. He emphasized the importance of creating experiences that attract visitors, support local businesses, and enrich the city’s cultural fabric.
In conclusion, APE’s recent events at Golden Gate Park showcased the power of music to bring people together, celebrate legacies, and revitalize communities. By leveraging San Francisco’s rich history and cultural appeal, the company successfully curated a series of events that not only entertained audiences but also contributed to the city’s economic growth and cultural resurgence.