It seemed like it would never be here, but in four short days Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 2012 will be strumming and stomping away in Golden Gate Park. At last, at last.

First, you ought to familiarize yourself a little with the lineup, even if your style is more to drift about at random. We've got some prime A-listers this year, including (as always) the ethereal, radiant Emmylou Harris. Highlights include Elvis Costello, Patti Smith, Conor Oberst, Cowboy Junkies, The Head & The Heart, Heartless Bastards, Robyn Hitchcock, and Beachwood Sparks. All around, we're pretty impressed with this year's lineup, which'll actually have us running back and forth to catch the good stuff. It's going to be crowded, so bring a little flask of whiskey and go to your happy place, because once you're in and parked it's going to be worth it. The festival is recommending public transportation over parking, although really taking a bike or bracing yourself for a nice walk is more realistic. Again, bring a sweater. Okay kids. Tune your banjo, polish up those sunglasses and we'll see you there.