Outside Lands is bigger than ever in 2023, with a footprint that includes seven music stages in addition to the unique Cocktail Magic stage, Grass Lands, Beer and Wine Lands and Taste of the Bay Area. Even if you’re going strictly for the music—which isn’t as common as it used to be—you’re going to be pulled in multiple directions simultaneously.

The four main stages are joined by the SOMA dance tent, Dolores stage and a tent sponsored by Toyota. And on Saturday, you’ll be choosing between Lana Del Rey and Foo Fighters, playing the two most distant stages at the same time.

Our long-time readers may be used to a column that guides them through a choose-your-own adventure of music, but because of the many choices this year, we’ll keep it simple. Here’s a list of undercard acts you should really catch each day, other than Kendrick Lamar, Lana or the Foos, and The 1975. We’ve made these selections with distance and energy levels in mind; after all, we don’t expect you to walk 10 miles back and forth in Golden Gate Park, braving the city’s microclimates. This year, take it slow and enjoy these great artists.

— editor Roman Gokhman

Friday

Nation of Language

1:15 to 2 p.m. at Sutro

Brooklyn band Nation of Language does post-punk and darkwave pop better than anyone among their peers. They’re catchy and contagious fun. If you’re lucky, they’ll play their cover of the Pixies’ “Gauge Away.” The song has droning guitars, vocals filled with frenetic energy, and will get your feet moving to start Outside Lands’ first day. — Rachel Goodman

Ethel Cain

2:30 to 3:20 p.m. at Sutro

Witnessing Ethel Cain perform live is often compared to a spiritual experience. The Floridian singer-songwriter dives into Southern gothic Americana, exploring themes of growing up in a religious household and the trans-generational trauma that surrounds that. Her sound is influenced by pop, gospel and folk. Together, it sets a haunting scene. Get ready to move and be moved. — Chloe Catajan

J.I.D.

5:25 to 6:25 p.m. at Land’s End

Sure, seeing NBA star (or, as the current Outside Lands demographic knowns, him, NBA commentator) Shaquille O’Neal spinning records at Twin Peaks will be cool for a few minutes, but unless this incarnation of the Big Aristotle is also going to rap, the better all-around experience will be with Atlanta rapper J.I.D. He’s arguably one of the best up-and-coming rappers around, and he has the backing of J. Cole and the Dreamville crew. His soulful style has attracted a large following within and outside of hip-hop. You may recognize his collab with Imagine Dragons from the soundtrack of animated Netflix series “Arcane,” called “Enemy.” — Derek Tobias and Mel Bowman.

Aespa

6:55 to 7:45 p.m. at Twin Peaks

This is the trickiest stage conflict of the day. At Land’s End you have Janelle Monae, whose new album is likely to be highly lauded when the next round of Grammy nominations rolls around. Then there’s rock and soul artist Willow (Willow Smith) over at the Sutro stage. And alt-pop and indie music fans might just go with singer-songwriter Samia. But our money’s on Outside Lands’ first K-pop act, aespa. If you’re a long-time fan of this festival, go see history being made. Also, this is a great entry point into the genre. If you’ve never been to a K-pop show, let Karina, Giselle, Winter and Ningning show you one of its very many sides. — Roman Gokhman

Saturday

We can’t predict the winner of Lana Del Rey vs. the Foo Fighters, but both have compelling stories and new albums this year. The Foos also have a new drummer. Lana might be joined by The 1975’s Matty Healy (our guess). But that’s not the point of this story.

Lovejoy

2:25 to 3:10 p.m. at Twin Peaks

The U.K.’s Lovejoy would slot perfectly into Live 105’s 2004 song list, right along the Killers, Bloc Party or the Bravery. But wait! It’s 2023! They’re one of a kind at this incarnation of Outside Lands. That makes Lovejoy a can’t miss for anyone lovelorn over jangly guitars and syncopated beats. Don’t miss jams like “Call me What You Like,” “One Day” and “Portrait of a Blank Slate.” — Roman Gokhman

Zack Fox

2:50 to to 3:20 p.m. at Sutro

Rapper Zack Fox is also a comedian and actor—he’s the unenlightened, man-boy ex to Quinta Brunson’s Ms. Teagues on “Abbott Elementary”—so we’re not exactly sure what this performance will include. But if it’s a mix of stand-up and his actually very self-aware and enlightened hip-hop set to woozy instrumentals, we’re in. — Roman Gokhman.

NIKI

5:25 to 6:15 p.m. at Twin Peaks

If you’re looking for a good vibe, NIKI’s set is the place to be. Hailing from Jakarta by way of Los Angeles, the self-produced singer-songwriter delivers silky smooth R&B tunes perfect for unwinding on a Saturday evening. — Chloe Catajan

L’Impératrice

7 to 8 p.m. at Sutro

Get ready to groove to disco-infused beats as French electro-pop sensation L’Imperatrice takes the stage. Fronted by the mesmerizing Flore Bengigui, the band’s dreamy arrangements promise to sweep you away to a whimsical, retro-futuristic dance party. We loved “Anomalie Bleue,” and there’s a lot more like in this group’s arsenal. — Sery Morales

Sunday

Tonight’s headliner is…. Odesza? This year’s Outside Lands is even heavier on electronic dance music, so the choice to put them on the main stage over The 1975 makes sense. But if you prefer guitar, bass and drums, you already know you’ll be at Twin Peaks for the mercurial Matty Healy and co. And Sunday is stacked the lower down the bill you go.

UPSAHL

12 to 12:40 p.m. at Land’s End

Arizona pop artist UPSAHL is big-time now, recording and touring with the likes of Oliver Tree, K-pop group Le Sserafim, Tove Lo and others. But that talent, both glossy and rough at the same time, has always been there. For those looking to start the final day of Outside Lands 2023with a pop, there’s no better place to be. Hopefully she plays some of her sweeter earlier songs, like “The Other Team,” as well as her newer bangers. — Roman Gokhman

Nanna

1:55 to 2:40 p.m. at Sutro

There’s a couple great ethereal folk artists on the Outside Lands lineup (we’re looking at you, Wild Child and Jessie Murph), but Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir from Of Monsters and Men is our pick in this category. The singer-guitarist’s debut solo album, How to Start a Garden, is lush and expansive. A compelling live act, Nanna is likely to bring the intricate and vibrant energy that made the album a must-listen. As a vocalist, Nanna is a compelling presence, and her band ups the ante. — Mike DeWald

Inhaler

3:25 to 4:10 p.m. at Twin Peaks

If you like U2, you have to check out Inhaler. Hailing from Dublin, the band has U2 vibes going on. Elijah Hewson has a similar vocal sound to his very famous father, Bono (nee Paul Hewson). You don’t want to miss out on hearing their ballads, bangers and other head-bopping material. They’re another of the very few, but very terrific guitar rock and pop bands on the Outside Lands lineup. — Rachel Goodman

Beabadoobee

4:55 to 5:45 p.m. at Twin Peaks

British-Filipino artist Beabadobee’s sound is a little bit grunge and a little bit bedroom pop. Bea Laus has attracted fans to her guitar-heavy sound around the world since 2017. She’s toured with Bleachers, The 1975 and Clairo, and opened for Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour last spring. — Rachel Alm

Joy Oladokun

5:45 to 6:35 p.m. at Sutro

Folk-pop artist Joy Oladokun played at the White House last year in support of marriage equality. Her album Proof of Life came out in April, and featured duets with fellow Outside Lands performer Noah Kahan, as well as Chris Stapleton. While she first broke out for her socially conscious call to action, “I See America,” her latest material is warm, inspirational and festival-friendly. — Rachel Alm

Megan Thee Stallion

6:20 to 7:20 p.m. at Land’s End

OK, so she’s not an unknown artist. But she’s somehow not a headliner at Outside Lands. Fresh off of a starring role in upcoming comedy “Dicks: The Musical,” Houston’s Megan Thee Stallion, known as much for her sexy music and bars as her steamy outfits and dancing, is likely her crowd to hits like “Gift & A Curse,” “Body” and “Thot Shit.” In that hour-long slot, you’ll likely get to hear all your favorite songs while shaking your butt along to the music. — Mel Bowman.