As day two of Outside Lands began, the crowd rushed through the gates as early as they were allowed to see a lineup so robust that even the first acts of the day had headlined some of the biggest festivals in the world. While the acts of the day proved eclectic at a glance, many of those who drew the most passionate audiences highlighted the deep connection the fans continue to feel to the Bay Area’s connection to the history and present of hip hop.

Performing early in the day and bringing a level of sentimentality to the Lands End stage, Vallejo’s next emerging artist in their storied hip hop legacy, LaRussell, reminded the audience that the creative community in the East Bay is still alive and thriving. As he walked onstage to the cheers of tens of thousands in attendance, he started his set on a tender note, saying, “Before I start, can I share something as a human?” as he spoke about his experience growing up just a short distance away and the personal significance of this performance to him both personally and professionally. His native roots were a central theme of his set in many ways, as the artist covered a plethora of hits from local artists, including Too $hort’s “Blow The Whistle,” and Mac Dre’s “Thizzle Dance.” Taking every opportunity to speak with the crowd, the artist took a seat midway through the show, grabbed a cup of tea, and confessed, “This was the first time in a long time I was a little nervous, and it was a really beautiful moment for me because I got to go back to the child, the human in me. You’re never bigger than real life and your emotions… You don’t have to be perfect, you just have to show up.”

Bringing the star power to the same stage just a few hours later, legendary Atlanta performer Ludacris took the stage a few minutes before his scheduled start time in a performance that showcased the artist’s seemingly never-ending body of hits from throughout the decades. The “Act A Fool” rapper took full advantage of his presence on one of the largest stages in live music, making the space his own and engaging with the audience through his physicality. The artist consistently reminded fans just how big of a presence he has been throughout culture in the 2000s, as he went through a laundry list of chart-topping hits that featured his verses, including Justin Bieber’s “Baby,” Taio Cruz’s “Break Your Heart,” and Usher’s “Yeah!”

Closing out the often overlooked Panhandle stage, DJ Pee .Wee, the alter ego of hip hop artist and percussionist Anderson .Paak, showed the full range of musical versatility the musician has developed through their lifetime in music. Showcasing the artist’s talents behind the turntable, the set featured the exclusive spinning of classic vinyl in a decision that added a layer of artistry to the performance. In a cheeky reference to his upcoming headlining set the following night, midway through his performance, the artist grabbed his microphone and exclaimed, “My friend Anderson .Paak is playing tomorrow… He’s awesome!”

In an Outside Lands first, New York Indie Pop veteran act Vampire Weekend gave a showstopping two-set performance, both opening and closing out the Twin Peaks stage. Proving to be one of the most adored acts of the weekend amongst their devout fanbase, thousands flocked to the stage at the early hour of 12:45 pm for their matinee, giving a sense of community to a set time that would typically have a fraction of the number of fans in attendance. As the band began to take the stage for their second set, seven hours later, the crowd began to chant “No repeats,” as a reminder to the musicians of their promise not to duplicate a song between either of their sets. The artists did not disappoint on that assurance, but showed that over their decades of making music together, they might not have had enough time to fit enough of their work in. In what came as a shock to many, the band’s 2013 single “Step” was notably absent from both of their sets in Golden Gate Park, despite the song’s numerous references to the San Francisco Bay Area. Despite this omission, singles like “A-Punk,” “Oxford Comma,” and “Harmony Hall” seemed like enough to keep the audience entertained as they performed for over two hours throughout the course of the day.

Check out more photos of Outside Lands Day Two.