Outside Lands coming to Golden Gate Park

A few months ago, promoter Another Planet Entertainment seemed to have everything lined up for the second installment of Outside Lands Festival in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park this weekend.

Big names like Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews, Black Eyed Peas, Jason Mraz and the Beastie Boys were all on board.

Tweaking and refining what is now one of the largest annual festivals in the Bay Area, APE and partner Superfly Productions (founder of the mammoth Bonnaroo Festival) added new attractions like “The Barbary” — a variety show throwback to San Francisco’s rowdy saloon and cabaret days, held in an authentic “magic mirror tent.”

The sound problems that marred Radiohead and Tom Petty shows the inaugural year were supposed to be fixed. More importantly, organizers appeased a band of irate Golden Gate Park neighbors who had raised a stink over last year’s traffic snarls and invading masses.

Then, a little more than a month before the festival kickoff, the Beastie Boys, the Sunday headliner closing out the festival, had to cancel after Adam Yauch was diagnosed with cancer.

As news spread to festivals all across the country, impromptu bands were called upon to fill in for the Beasties. Jay-Z subbed in at All Points West. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs filled in at Lollapalooza. But who would take their place at Outside Lands?

Enter Tenacious D — the mock rock band from Hollywood.

“I just want to say one thing: If there’s any dogs barking on the day - August 30th - before we go on, don’t be alarmed. That’s just them sensing the earthquake of rock that is coming,” cautioned actor/frontman Jack Black at a press conference a few weeks ago.

“Dogs have an innate sense of knowing when a gigantic rock storm is coming. California may be shaking loose from the rest of the country.”

While fielding questions from reporters, he threw out one of his own: “Are there going to be good burritos at this festival?”

The answer — an unlimited supply of on-site Gordo burritos — seemed to satisfy the roly-poly “Nacho Libre” actor.

But despite all the over-the-top metal props of Tenacious D, it’s hard to replace a headliner like the Beastie Boys. So far, reaction has been a little on the sour side. The message board at www.outsidelands.com says it all, with the majority of posts sounding off like this:

— “Get in where you fit in; T-D is a comedic act not a high end professional. These kind’s of theatrics can be similated by anyone with a guitar and a sense of humor. It is a disgrace to the Bay area music community.”

— “NO!!! what a slap in the face to one of the greatest hip hop acts in the world, and their fans. what were they thinking?”

- “WE GOT SCREWED BIG TIME. its so funny that TD can’t even end the show with a 2 hour set.”

Another Planet vice president Allen Scott admits, “The reaction has been pretty divided so far. When you have to replace an artist of that caliber, there’s a segment of the ticketholders that aren’t going to be satisfied by anybody.”

But, considering there are more than 70 bands to choose from this year, there should be plenty of other attractions and distractions over the course of three days, Aug. 28-30.

This year’s festival is once again heavy on indie rock, boasting Modest Mouse, Mars Volta, TV on the Radio, Silversun Pickups, Ween and Conor Oberst. World music stakes its claim with Zap Mama, Os Mutantes and the hybrid sounds of Extra Golden. Betty LaVette picks up the soul where Sharon Jones left off last year. Tom Jones will be on hand to collect his daily ration of underwear. And local reggae band, Groundation, will be representing Sonoma County.

The Winehaven returns, spotlighting Sonoma County wineries like Preston, Unti and Bedrock. Food options fall all over the map, from Pica Pica South American cuisine by way of Napa to Hog Island oysters.

Gamers get a preview of The Beatles Rock Band for Xbox. Along with MLB pitching and batting cages, there’s even an on-site salon, giving away free faux-hawks and haircuts.

And who knows, maybe the naysayers will be pleasantly surprised by Tenacious D. Itching to take the stage, Jack Black promises two things: The debut of a new track called “Dethstarr.”

“That’s spelled Dethstarr,” he clarifies. “So it has nothing to do with the “Star Wars” one, and it’s kind of a sci-fi Doomsday rock.”

And an unfailing source of stamina: “I’m going to go with one carnitas burrito right before the concert, just for energy.”

You can reach staff writer John Beck at 521-5300 or john.beck@pressdemocrat.com.