San Francisco's lauded free music extravaganza, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, is beefing up its already eclectic mix with a new set of performers taking the stage this coming October. In an update shared by the San Francisco Chronicle, the festival organizers announced the addition of feminist rock legends Sleater-Kinney and avant-garde folk artist Devendra Banhart, among others, to the rich tapestry of acts set to perform at Golden Gate Park's Hellman Hollow, Marx, and Lindley meadows.

The lineup now includes acts such as AJ Lee & Blue Summit, Levitation Room, the contemporary British Afro-pop grooves of Ibibio Sound Machine, and the Ukrainian folk quartet Dakhabrakha, to keep things strictly diverse and musically unpredictable. "I really look forward to returning to Hardly Strictly with Earl Jam: my tribute to Earl Scruggs, celebrating his 100th birthday", Tony Trischkasaid, as per the San Francisco Chronicle.

Previously confirmed performers for the festival, as detailed in the SF Chronicle article, span various genres, including Michigan-based jam band Greensky Bluegrass, English singer-songwriter Robyn Hitchcock, and Grammy-winning blues artist Bobby Rush. The democratic appeal of Hardly Strictly is only reinforced by its policy of free admission and celebrating the love for music from Oct. 4 through Oct. 6, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

Expanding beyond the park, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass has planned a series of 'Out of the Park' nighttime concerts. These performances are set to benefit the Sweet Relief Bay Area Musicians Fund. As per the San Francisco Chronicle, the initiative follows the festival's collaboration with Sweet Relief during the pandemic to aid local musicians. John Caldon, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass director, affirmed the commitment to the music community, stating, "Knowing the funds go to those struggling to make ends meet while facing physical or mental health issues, disability, or age-related problems, we’re proud to partner with Sweet Relief to support artists, who are the lifeblood of HSB.”

A peek at the special anniversary celebrations for next year was also dropped alongside the lineup news. Festival aficionados can look forward to a dive into archival footage with "Portals to the Past," a video series celebrating the festival’s past highlights set to premiere on HSB TV. These gestures honor the legacy of the festival’s late founder, Warren Hellman, and its rich history. This year’s edition will also pay tribute to the festival's longtime operations producer, Greg Wynn, who is being commemorated posthumously with the dedication of Wynn’s Crossing at the festival grounds.

For those keen on knowing which artists will complete the festival roster, additional teaser medleys are scheduled to be released on Aug. 20 and Sept. 3. In the meantime, the latest artist reveals were also confirmed through Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Facebook page, sparking further excitement as the seasonal event approaches. With such a varied lineup set, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass again positions itself as a cornerstone of San Francisco's cultural calendar.