Hardly Strictly Bluegrass drew huge crowds over the weekend as it celebrated its 25th year. The free music festival takes over large swathes of Golden Gate Park the first weekend of October each year, welcoming musicians and music lovers alike. Close to eighty musical acts performed during the sunny three-day span.
Singer-songwriter Patty Griffin during her Saturday set. |Photo: Cheryl L. Guerrero/Hoodline
As the name suggests, it’s hardly just bluegrass outfits that grace the multiple stages over the weekend. Musical acts range from bluegrass to country, jazz to rock-n-roll, and experimental to funk. This year Gen Z jazz musician Samara Joy enthralled attendees with her rich vocals, while Cimafunk electrified the audience with his Afro-Cuban and funk offerings. A huge crowd gathered at the Banjo Stage in Hellman Hollow for a set by Lucinda Williams. She was followed by festival closer— and annual favorite— Emmylou Harris, who had fans getting emotional listening to her music.
Emmylou Harris fan Valerie Reyer gets emotional during the closing set. |Photo: Cheryl L. Guerrero/Hoodline
There were some special performances to honor HSB’s 25th year as well. The intimate Horseshoe Stage welcomed another annual favorite, Steve Earle, for “HSB at 25: Stories Behind the Festival”. He shared music and anecdotes with the crowd during a Q&A session. HSB founder Warren Hellman was also honored by two Hellman family bands over the weekend. Acoustic Americana collective Purple Glaze opened the Banjo Stage on Friday, while the Hellman sibling band Marco and the Polos were joined by other musicians on Sunday at Horseshoe Hill for a special performance of “O Warren Where Art Thou: The Hellman Siblings Remember Their Parents in Song”.
Steve Earle shared some music and behind the scenes experiences during an “HSB at 25: Stories Behind the Festival” at Horseshoe Hill. | Photo: Cheryl L. Guerrero/Hoodline
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass TV livestreamed the weekend’s performances. The site also offers recordings from previous years’ artists.
Here are some more scenes from this weekend’s festival
Josh Ritter and the Royal City Band graced the Swan Stage for their set.
Bluesman Corey Harris played to an intimate crowd on the Horseshoe Hill stage.
Nick Lowe and Los Straitjackets performed on the Swan Stage.
Three-time Grammy Award winner Shawn Colvin on stage on Friday afternoon.
An attendee blows bubbles during a music break.
Reverend Horton Heat performs on the Towers of Gold stage Friday.
Roo was decked out for her 2nd HSB appearance with her people Kristina and Nick from San Francisco.
Country-rock artist Albert Lee performs on the Rooster Stage.
Brooklyn band Evolfo took to the Arrow Stage on Sunday.
Josh Ritter fans groove to his set on Saturday.
Cimafunk horn players on the Swan Stage on Saturday.
Charlie Parr performed Sunday to a packed crowd at the intimate Horseshoe Hill stage.
Bay Area band The Mother Hips played the Towers of Gold stage while promoting their recent release, California Current.
A book of photos and essays, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass at 25: The Big Twang!, is available this year.
Three-time Grammy winner Samara Joy wowed attendees with her jazz vocals.
Thom Thornhill aka Thom Foolery was enjoying his first HSB while juggling in the sun.
Lucinda Williams, Named “America’s best songwriter” by Time in 2002, performed on Sunday.
Stan Vilensky offered up poems on demand to attendees.
Cimafunk drew a huge crowd to their set.
One of Los Straitjackets during their performance with Nick Lowe.
The Haight Street Art Center gave attendees the opportunity to create their own HSB screen print postcard.
A fan enjoys music from The Mother Hips.
Lucinda Williams fans enjoy her set.
Until next year!
