Known for his unrivaled skill as a rapper from hits such as “Sunflower” and “Circles,” Post has quickly made a name for himself as a top country artist. Through collaboration with the likes of Morgan Wallen and Blake Shelton, the former rapper proves he is more than a one trick pony. His Texan roots finally get to take center stage for his first country music performance at Outside Lands 2024.
The stage was set with everything a country band could need, minus the jug and washboard. Guitars, violins, drums and other instruments were all taken to. Post Malone then walked on stage in his blue jeans and a concert shirt for the Eagles. Holding a red cup in one hand and a blunt and mic in the other, the rapper-turned-country-artist was ready to rock.
The set started off strong with a Hank Williams Jr. song titled “A Country Boy Can Survive.” Even though his fans were used to hearing him rap, Post’s singing voice was undeniable as he perfectly captured the country music flair. His Dallas upbringing shined in every growl as the artist sang his first song. During the last chorus of the cover, a bang erupted from the stage as sparkler cannons shot towards the sky.
The cover ended to audience shouts of “I love you Post” and massive cheers. After hyping the crowd up some more, the performer introduced himself as Austin Richard Post. He then explained how he had been invited to Outside Lands to perform a set filled with his favorite country tunes. Post thanked his audience for enduring the gloomy Bay Area weather and then turned up for his second song.
Pyrotechnics flailed and the good vibes thrived as some of the band members turned this concert into a real hoedown by shredding out some solos. These boot knocking beats quickly turned into a slow jam for Post’s third song, “Carry Your Love with Me,” by George Strait. The artist strummed his guitar as he sang this soulful ballad of love.
During the song, however, trouble ensued in the crowd as audience members were shouting to get medical assistance. Noticing the situation, Post stopped the song and alerted festival security to the issue. Once the emergency was taken care of, Post closed out the heartfelt number. In light of the now resolved problem, Post told his fans to alert him to any issues so he can make sure they get taken care of. Shouts of “I love you Posty” ripped through the artist’s adoring fans and he returned the affection with a genuine smile.
The performer picked back up the energy with another George Strait song titled “The Fireman.” This honkey-tonk throw down lit the crowds ablaze with its upbeat rhythm and fire cannons that exploded for the choruses. While introducing his next song, “Dust on the Bottle,” Post realized it wouldn’t be right to do it without the man who wrote it, so he brought out special guest David Lee Murphy to sing it with him.
Post’s admiration for the musician was obvious as small fireworks literally went off when they hugged and sang together. The two shared verses and Post was clearly having the time of his life. Murphy soon left and Post asked the crowd if they liked Tyler Childers, to which everyone in attendance shouted a resounding yes. Post then tuned his guitar and began to play one of his favorite Childers songs, “Feathered Indians.”
Post Malone picked up his guitar to perform a rendition of "Carrying Your Love with Me," by George Strait. Smoke and haze shrouded the artist as this time fire shot up into the sky. Photographed by Caleb Velasquez/BruinLife.
Sparklers and pyrotechnics erupt into the sky as artist Post Malone and his band perform "A Country Boy Can Survive," originally by Hank Williams Jr. Post Malone gave Outside Lanes a special country set, performing many covers and bringing out guest artists along with it. Photographed by Caleb Velasquez/BruinLife.
After a roar of applause, Post Malone begins to sing, grabbing the microphone with both hands as a cigarette is also held in one of them. Photographed by Caleb Velasquez/BruinLife.
Country music fans instantly recognized the popular tune and loved Post’s faithful version of it. Going from a newer country hit to a classic one, Post pulled out Tim McGraws, “Just to See You Smile.” The upbeat rhythms and happy melody had festival goers knocking boots at the cramped barricades. After the song ended, Post finished his drink and cheered for his stage hand, Pat, as he brought out another one.
“Daddy’s Money” by Ricochet, was the seventh song of the set list. Post said this is was a song he could not get enough of, and spectators could tell by the way he wiggled through the song. With only a few songs left of his set, Post brought out another special guest who he said wrote some of the most complex songs he had ever listened to. Legendary guitar player, Jimmy Olander joined Post on stage to play the strings on his band’s song, “This Romeo Ain’t Got Julie Yet.” This jamboree jam had everyone jamming along, especially when Olander broke out into a short, but still incredible, guitar solo.
After the song, Olander stayed on stage to play a Luke Combs tune named, “When It Rains It Pours.” Post expressed his love for the country artist and literally poured one out for him during the line that gave the song its name. An out of breath Post then wished Olander a farewell.
10th on the docket was a little hit titled “Brand New Man.” Whether it was easy to learn or incredibly well known, the audience sang along with each one of the choruses. The crowd then went wild when Post said his next song was a Morgan Wallen cover. Post strutted and shook it to the bonfires country hit with the help of his fan base who knew the lyrics from the get go.
Before announcing his last song of the night, Post made a joke about no one caring that the 49ers beat the Cowboys. The artist then got serious for a moment while he paid his respects to the country music star, Toby Keith. Post closed his set with one of Keith’s songs named, “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue.” The tune about the pride behind the American way was the perfect way to close out a set that paid its respect to so many country music legends.
Post’s palpable love for the genre that helped make him made for an emotionally resonant Outside Lands 2024 headlining performance.
