"Lionel Richie Is Nicole Richie's Dad?" and 7 Other Things Overheard at Outside Lands

Updated on 8/9/2016 at 10:30 AM

In addition to offering up amazing food, eye-catching style, and of course, killer bands, music festivals also happen to have some of the best people watching (and eavesdropping) you can find. The Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival took place in San Francisco over the weekend and, along with thick layers of fog, the event rolled into Golden Gate Park and brought with it a smorgasbord of hilarious quotes that had me laughing out loud, shaking my head, and rolling my eyes. Here are the eight best things I overheard throughout the weekend.

1. While walking to the festival entrance behind a group of 20-somethings:

Girl, after singing Train's 2001 hit "Drops of Jupiter": "Is Train just one guy?"
Her friend: "I don't think so."
Girl: "Is Train at Outside Lands?"
Her friend: "I don't think so."
Girl: "Ugh . . . I love Train."

2. Right before Chance the Rapper's set:

Girl on the phone trying to find her friend: "Are you standing by the balloon, or the person holding the balloon? The balloon keeps moving!"

3. During Chance the Rapper's set:

Chance the Rapper: "This is fun. You guys are pretty good."
Drunk guy next to me: "My man's being a smart-ass! STOP BEING A SMART-ASS!"

4. During Major Lazer:

Walshy Fire of Major Lazer: "Shout-out to Harambe!"
Drunk guy behind me in homemade "RIP Harambe" t-shirt: "See? He gets it!"

5. While waiting in line for food:

Woman to her husband: "Here's what I think we should do: once we finish eating at one place, we'll just get in line for food at another place. By the time it's our turn to order, we'll be hungry again."

6. While waiting in line for the Porta-Potties:

Girl: "OK, explain it to me again."
Her friend: "He sings the 'Hello' song . . . from the '80s, I think?"
Girl: "The one they tried to mash up with Adele?"
Her friend: "Yeah . . . and he's Nicole Richie's dad."
Girl: "Holy sh*t! Wait, what the f*ck? Lionel Richie is Nicole Richie's dad?!"
Girl: *Proceeds to be in shock for the next two minutes*

7. During a DJ set:

Friend: "Is he playing his own songs or just other people's songs?"
*DJ plays "Black Skinhead" by Kanye West*
Same friend: ". . . Other people's songs."

8. On the way to watch Kehlani:

Drunk woman to her friend: "Is Jenna meeting us for Third Eye Blind?"
Friend: "Jenna went home, like, two hours ago."
Drunk woman: ". . . What?"
Friend: "You don't remember? She threw up in the dirt and said she was getting a Lyft home."
Drunk woman: "That was Jenna?"