Outside Lands 2011 Local Music Preview (VIDEO)

People usually consider the best thing about giant music festivals like Outside Lands to be seeing a diverse selection of bands from all over the world they would normally never get a chance to watch, let alone all in one place.

Where else could you watch a set by the guy who wrote "Ms. Jackson" followed by the person the song was actually about?

On the other hand, this year's festival has put together a lineup of some of the best independent and not-so-independent artists who call the Bay Area home. While its tempting to treat Outside Lands exclusively as a chance to see bands who would never otherwise come to San Francisco, you'd be missing a big part of what the festival has to offer, as more than 20 percent of the bands playing this year are local. In that way, Outside Lands is simultaneously a sample platter of awesome bands who only live a few blocks away.

Check out our video slideshow all of the great acts playing this year: