Hardly Strictly Bluegrass will return to San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park this October 4-6, and they’ve just announced the first set of artists joining the rest of the city of San Francisco. Topping this year’s lineup will be the “acoustic duo The Milk Carton Kids, the unique collaboration of Calexico and Iron & Wine, Ukraine’s heralded folk-music group Dakhabrakha, Texas troubadour Hayes Carll, and Bay Area golden boy Jackie Greene.”
We’ll also be seeing appearances from “cowpunk heroes Meat Puppets” and soul singer Bettye LaVette, not to mention newcomer Margo Price, legend Steve Earle, and the folk-rockers from across the pond known as The Waterboys. Eclectic and interesting as ever. These always have the most interesting lineups.
UPDATE: the second round of artists were added late last week. Now on the lineup will be Dry Branch Fire Squad along with “the first lady of outlaw country Tanya Tucker, prolific Swedish singer-songwriter Daniel Norgren, the powerhouse grouping of Buddy Miller & Dirk Powell with Stuart Duncan, rising folk star John Craigie, Bay Area string band favorites Hot Buttered Rum, Mdou Moctar‘s Tuareg pop stylings, the Austin soul and funk of Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears, mandolin virtuoso Sierra Hull, and Americana highway queen Nikki Lane.”
Here’s some more info about this year’s festival from the source.
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass takes place within Golden Gate Park in Hellman Hollow, Lindley Meadow, and Marx Meadow. All meadows open for entry at 10 am with music starting at noon on Friday and 11 am on Saturday and Sunday. Food and non-alcoholic beverage vendors will be stationed around the park. No alcoholic beverages will be sold during the festival, but patrons are allowed to bring beer and wine as long as it is not in glass containers. Hard alcohol is prohibited. In addition, coolers, blankets, and short-back chairs are allowed. Cameras are allowed, but not tripods or other intrusive equipment. Due to limited parking surrounding Golden Gate Park, attendees are highly encouraged to use public transit, ride-share, bike, or walk instead of driving.
Now this is extra cool:
Long-time festival-goers will also be happy to know that for the first time in years, Hardly Strictly will not coincide with San Francisco Fleet Week. Patrons will be able to enjoy the intimacy of acoustic sets without noisy jets overhead.
