(L to R) Jane Glass and Joe Rafferty dance with Sam Bush on Sept. 9 on the Banjo Stage at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. March 30, 2022.Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE
We’re in the depths of San Francisco’s holiday season. The land outside is a distant memory, with some residents’ ears still ringing from Portola, with the next big musical event to take over the city coming this weekend.
Founded in 2001, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass is a three-day free music festival in Golden Gate Park, funded by a foundation set up by the late investment banker Warren Hellman. As the name suggests, the event is genre agnostic, although performers generally lean more towards the roots and American aspects of the musical genealogy. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the 2020 and 2021 festivals have been canceled in favor of streaming concerts (the version will also be available online).Music starts Saturday and Sunday at 11am and the last band ends at 7pm
Alison Russell performing at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. March 30, 2022.Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE
One thing that sets Hardly Strictly apart is that it’s a lot looser than most other festivals. Of course there are safety measures, but attendees are encouraged to bring blankets for the picnic. It’s basically the ultimate day at the park, with scores from dozens of nationally recognized bands (people can even bring their dogs).
Konstantin Kossoff performs at the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park on September 9. March 30, 2022.
Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE
On Friday, the crowds are more mature than most other festivals, a tapestry of true San Francisco folks, whose tie-dye T-shirts may be older than many of the Outside Lands attendees. Even though performers like Alison Russell drew thousands of spectators, the Golden Gate Park venue was still spacious and the lines for bathrooms and food were short.
Here are all our best photos from the festival, check back later this week for more events.
(L to R) Rainbow Girls’ Erin Chapin, Caitlin Gowdey and Vanessa May perform on the Golden Tower Stage at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. March 30, 2022.Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE
(L to R) Asleep at the Wheel’s Ray Benson and Dennis Ludiker perform on the banjo stage at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park on September 9. March 30, 2022.Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE
A festival-goer applauds during a performance at the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Music Festival in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park on Sept. 9. March 30, 2022.Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE
September 9, atma dasa at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. March 30, 2022.Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE
(L to R) Doug Fruchey and Cari Terepka at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. March 30, 2022.Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE
(Left) Rich, Bob Powell and Pixie Hempfield of Hardly Strictly Bluegrass in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park on September 9. March 30, 2022.Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE
On September 9th, SG Goodman performed at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. March 30, 2022.Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE
Ryan Gustafson of Hardly Strictly Bluegrass band The Dead Tongues performs at San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park on September 9. March 30, 2022.Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE
Joelle Leung performs at the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park on September 9. March 30, 2022.Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE
Festivalgoers watch a performance on the Swan Stage at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park on Sept. 9. March 30, 2022.Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE
(L to R) Abi Black, Alex Yost, and ZuZu in Hardly Strictly Bluegrass in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. March 30, 2022.Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE
Joy Oladokun performs on the Golden Tower Stage at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park on September 9. March 30, 2022.Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE
On September 9th, Sam Bush’s band performed at the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. March 30, 2022.Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE
