Bay Area/ San Francisco
Published on October 05, 2024
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Returns to the Park for Three Days of Free MusicAll photos: Cheryl L. Guerrero/Hoodline

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass returned to Golden Gate Park on Friday, kicking off its annual three-day music festival. It has been bringing community and free music to the park for over two decades. Attendees soaked up the sun and all varieties of music on Friday as a preview of the weekend to come.

The festival attracts more than half a million people to the park each year with the opportunity to catch performances by well-known artists and discover new acts. With five stages and rotating performances, HSB showcases a variety of musical genres, from bluegrass to rock, country to blues, soul to funk, and more.


Irish singer-songwriter Glen Hansard closes out Friday on the Banjo Stage. | Photo: Cheryl L. Guerrero/Hoodline

This year’s opening day acts included electronic afro-funk band Ibibio Sound Machine, “cowpunk” rocker Charley Overbey, singing duo Viv & Riley, rockers Sleater-Kinney, and Irish singer-songwriter Glen Hansard.

Taking place in Hellman Hollow, and Lindley and Marx meadows in Golden Gate Park, the family-friendly event is free to attend, with no tickets or RSVP required. There are, however, designated entrances where concertgoers will have to enter through security. Gates open at 9 a.m. through the rest of the weekend.


Eno Williams, vocalist for Ibibio Sound Machine, plays the Towers of Gold Stage. | Photo: Cheryl L. Guerrero/Hoodline

 

Attendees can tote in their own picnics, short-backed chairs, and blankets for the affair, but no tents, hard-sided coolers or bottles are allowed. There will also be five food vending areas, with stalls and food trucks available. No alcohol will be sold on site.

Saturday’s schedule includes performances by Steve Earle, Buddy Miller, Moonalice, Marco and the Polos, and Mavis Staples (last surviving member of the Staple Singers of “I’ll Take You There” fame). Attendees will also have the opportunity to see Robyn Hitchcock twice Saturday, on both the intimate Horseshoe Hill Stage and later in the afternoon on the larger Swan Stage.


Viv and Riley play on the Horseshoe Hill Stage amongst the trees. | Photo: Cheryl L. Guerrero/Hoodline

A moment of silence will be observed on Sunday afternoon for HSB festival producer Greg Wynn, who passed away earlier this year. Musical acts of the day will include Bobby Rush, Chaparelle, Jon Muq, indie rock band Yo La Tengo, Bay Area musicians Wreckless Strangers, and singer-songwriter and poet Patti Smith. Annual favorite Emmylou Harris also will return to the Banjo Stage Sunday evening. 

Here are more photos from Friday’s opening day: 


Carrie Brownstein of Sleater-Kinney.


Attendees enjoy Sean McConnell’s set on the Arrow Stage.

Band member for Charlie Overbey during his set.

Piper Duffee and Owen Karlsen, SF State students, dance to the Wonder Women of Country set on the first day of the festival. They plan to return for Saturday and Sunday’s lineups. “It’s always a pleasure to be at Hardly Strictly,” Duffee said. 


Corin Tucker of Sleater-Kinney on the Swan Stage on Friday. 

The Horseshoe Hill Stage set up included “chickens” and laundry on a clothesline. 

Guitarist Alfred Kari Bannerman of the UK electronic funk band Ibibio Sound Machine.

The Wonder Women of Country perform on Friday.

Violin/fiddle player for Glen Hansard.

The crowd grooves to the Ibibio Sound Machine set. 

Charlie Overbey plays on the Arrow Stage. 

An HSB commemorative coin shows HSB 2024 and a heron. Bring your own coin and the souvenir is free at a station next to the merchandise tent between the Banjo and Arrow Stages.

The crowds enjoy music in the sun on Friday.