Golden Gate Park’s Hellman Hollow and Lindley & Marx
meadows
San Francisco, CA
Sept. 29 through Oct. 1, 2023
An annual free to the public festival, Hardly Strictly
Bluegrass boasts its non-commercial roots in the heart of San Francisco’s
Golden Gate Park. Challenging the assumptions of what defines American music,
the festival features an eclectic lineup of country, soul, folk and more.
Artists perform nonstop across six outdoor stages spanning the length of a three-day
spirited weekend of fun.
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass dates back to 2001, when SF
venture capitalist Warren Hellman founded it as “Strictly Bluegrass.” As such,
it was originally a bluegrass-only event but has since evolved to encompass a
multitude of genres, hence the decision to add “Hardly” to its name in 2004.
Throughout its run, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass has remained completely free and
noncommercial at the bequest of Hellman, who passed away in 2011.
HSB tends to announce their lineup in stages and makes
you guess. Details at the downloadable HSB app.
Earlier this week, on what would've been Hellman's 89th
birthday (he died in 2011), the festival unveiled a medley of songs from
upcoming festival artists on their mobile app. The initial lineup, which is
expected to be just one of many similar announcements, includes 10 bands that
span various genres and generations.
One of the more seasoned acts is the John Doe Folk Trio.
Helmed by the frontman of legendary punk band X, the act has played HSB seven
times spanning the years 2005 to 2020. Jason Isbell, formerly of the Drive-By
Truckers, will perform alongside his band the 400 Unit. Portland's John
Craigie, whose hometown paper The Stranger dubbed "the lovechild of John
Prine and Mitch Hedberg," will return to HSB after a performance in 2019.
The lineup also includes Rootsy Tennessee soul singer
Valerie June, Guatemalan Grammy nominee Gaby Moreno, New Orleans funk-rocker
Neal Francis, Canadian singer-songwriter Bahamas, Grammy-winning cellist Leyla
McCalla, Australian post-punk holdouts The Church and blues guitar-slinger
Christone "Kingfish" Ingram.
As always, the festival is free, with no RSVP or tickets
required.
Website: https://www.hardlystrictlybluegrass.com/
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