Maria Bamford (Friday @ 12:30 & 3:45, The Barbary Stage)

In addition to all of the bands, it's worth it to check out some of the comedy at Outside Lands. The best of the batch being Maria Bamford, a comic who has grown more popular and adored over the last decade without sacrificing any of her overwhelmingly awkward and alienating delivery. She was easily the best addition to the new season of Arrested Development, and her recent special (performed in her living room, with only her parents in attendance) is an instant classic.

The Men (Friday @ 3:05, Panhandle Stage)

The Men have had such a strange journey since being introduced to the music world as part of what ended up the DOA pig-fuck revival. What's remarkable though is how the band has managed to jump around so much stylistically and lose none of its fans. In fact, they've been growing in popularity and quality with four albums in four years.

Rhye (Friday @ 4:45, Sutro Stage)

Many groups have tried their hand at R&B slow jams this year and among the best are Rhye. It's frustrating that they're playing when most people are shuffling to get dinner or see the National. It's a tough time slot to grapple with, especially since the duo of Mike Milosh and Robin Hannibal make extremely delicate music, but it's worth it hear something as breathtaking as "Open" unfold right in front of you. Don't miss this, you can eat later and it won't kill you to miss the beginning of the National's set.

Chromatics (Friday @ 7:50, Panhandle Stage)

Now, the name of this feature is "Less Obvious," not "Less Popular." That distinction is important here because Chromatics has never been more popular, and they're just coming off the buzz of releasing one of the best records of 2012. Yet when a popular band's ENTIRE set conflicts with a headlining performance by Paul McCartney, you're not just "Less Obvious" -- you're fucked. That said I implore you to take a break from McCartney's set, which is so massive you can see all of Chromatics and still catch over 90 minutes of Macca goodness. Why is it worth it? It's not just that Kill For Love is an incredible album, or that the band is already known for breathtaking live shows. You'll be getting a truly dedicated crowd due to the conflicting show. Add in that the sun will have completely set by the time Johnny Jewel's band comes out and you have the ingredients for what could be the most intimate and beautiful performance this whole weekend.

Social Studies (Saturday @ 12:45, Twin Peaks Stage)

There's at least one good reason to not get too burnt out on Friday. It's San Fran natives Social Studies, who are playing an early set on Saturday. They're a must-see for me since their single "Terracur" got stuck in my head without any sign of leaving. Natalia Rogovin's beautiful, bitter vocals are the perfect match for the band's instrumentation, built from stark drums, glitzy music box melodies, and subtle guitar work that punctuates every moody melody. "Terracur" isn't a fluke either; their new record, Developer, was almost criminally overlooked last year and I'm excited to see what they can do with it live.

Thao & The Get Down Stay Down (Saturday @ 4:40, Sutro Stage)

If you're not sure what to check out on Saturday afternoon, there's a good chance Thao Ngyuen will grab your attention. The singer-songwriter and her backing band have gone too long without the recognition they deserve, but fortunately that's been changing rapidly. Their most recent album on Kill Rock Stars featured a fantastic duet with Joanna Newsom, but my favorite has got to be "Bag Of Hammers," which is funny, sad, and sweet all at once.

Fishbone (Sunday @ 1:30, Lands End Stage)

Fishbone made some great tunes in the '80s, seemed to fall out of the public eye during the '90s, then in the last few years they've made a comeback as a really fun festival band. They're funny, catchy, and probably the only band at Outside Lands where you can expect a theremin solo. Plus you'll get to hear them play their classic "Lyin' Ass Bitch," the same song the Roots got in trouble for covering when Michelle Bachman was a guest on Fallon.

King Tuff (Sunday @ 4:25, Panhandle Stage)

King Tuff falls into that same wonderful niche of snotty and dazed punk rock as Thee Oh Sees and Ty Segall, a sound that seems almost required for a California music festival. His contribution to Adult Swim's recent Garage Swim compilation, "She's On Fire," is arguably the best track on there, the perfect soundtrack to enjoying a couple pre-dinner beers.

DJ Pierre (Sunday @ 6:00, The Dome By Heineken Stage)

Maybe Vampire Weekend isn't your thing (trust me, though, they're great at festivals) and you want something a little different. Why not hit up the history lesson/dance party that will be DJ Pierre's evening set? Pierre is simply a dance music legend, one of the original acid house DJs, who has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity. A lot of this is due to acid's signature squelchy bass sound, which has left a major impression on electronic music today. It's an opportunity for a DJ whose best singles came out before most of the kids at the festival were even born to show just how essential he still sounds today.

MS MR (Sunday @ 6:00, Panhandle Stage)

Lizzy Plapinger has done great things with the label and blog she co-founded, Neon Gold Records, and has been launching bands into popularity for a while now (recent feat: last year Neon Gold premiered the first single Chvrches ever released, before they achieved their massive popularity). Now she's focusing more on her own band, MS MR, who dropped their debut album earlier this year. It's a good move too because Plapinger is one hell of a frontwoman: commanding, confident, and a fantastic singer. Check out the public-access-meets-Videodrome music video for "Think Of You," where she bluntly repeats "I still think of you and all the shit you put me through," until it becomes a break-up anthem.