The line-up for Hardly Strictly Bluegrass (HSB) in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park will feature Lucinda Williams, with Australia’s Courtney Barnett, Samara Joy, The String Cheese Incident, Reverend Horton Heat, Watchhouse, Nick Lowe & Los Straitjackets, Dan Tyminski Band, Josh Ritter & The Royal City Band, and Chuck Prophet and His Cumbia Shoes.
“I’m excited to return to Golden Gate Park for Hardly Strictly Bluegrass,” says Courtney Barnett. “Last time I played there was with Kurt Vile in 2017 and we all had such a great time!”
“For 25 years, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass has been a testament to the power of music to bring people together—free, inclusive, and rooted in the spirit of community,” said Sheri Sternberg, one of the founders and Executive Producer of HSB. “What started as a humble celebration of bluegrass has grown into a beloved San Francisco tradition that honors the past while embracing the future. We’re proud to carry forward the legacy of Warren Hellman and look forward to gathering once again in Golden Gate Park for a weekend of unforgettable music.”
This year’s event will feature Lyle Lovett performing with the San Francisco Symphony.
Portions of the concert’s proceeds will benefit the San Francisco Symphony’s Music and Mentors program, which provides assistance to instrumental music programs in San Francisco’s public middle schools and high schools.
HSB will kick off its landmark 25th anniversary weekend celebration this year with a very special sold-out festival eve benefit concert honoring legendary singer and songwriter Emmylou Harris – the only artist to perform at each and every edition of the much beloved San Francisco free music festival. The Emmylou tribute will feature Allison Russell, Albert Lee, Margo Price, Patty Griffin, Rodney Crowell, Rosanne Cash, Sam Bush, Shawn Colvin, Steve Earle and other guests. Buddy Miller will serve as the show’s musical director, backed by The Red Hot Dirt Ramblers. The all-star lineup features some of Emmylou Harris’ current and recent bandmates, including Albert Lee, Bryan Owings, Chris Donohue, Eamon McLoughlin, Glen D Hardin, Phil Madeira, Sam Bush & Steve Fishell. All proceeds will benefit the foster-based, 501(c)3 nonprofit dog rescue organization Bonaparte’s Retreat.
The tradition of “Out of the Park” concerts will continue this year, once again benefiting Sweet Relief, Bay Area Musicians’ Fund. Many of the artists listed in the initial lineup will be performing nighttime shows at some of the Bay Area’s favorite venues, including Reverend Horton Heat at Sweetwater, Patty Griffin & Nick Lowe at The Great American Music Hall, Watchhouse at the UC Theatre and many more.
HARDLY STRICTLY BLUEGRASS 2025
Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA
October 3-5, 2025
INITIAL LINEUP
Lucinda Williams
Samara Joy
Courtney Barnett
Reverend Horton Heat
Watchhouse
Nick Lowe & Los Straitjackets
Dan Tyminski Band
Josh Ritter & the Royal City Band
The String Cheese Incident
Chuck Prophet and His Cumbia Shoes
ADDITIONAL ARTISTS TO BE ANNOUNCED
ARTISTS PLAYING THE TRIBUTE TO EMMYLOU HARRIS
ALSO PERFORMING AT HSB:
Albert Lee
Buddy Miller
Emmylou Harris
Margo Price
Patty Griffin
Rodney Crowell
Rosanne Cash
Sam Bush
Shawn Colvin
Steve Earle
OUT OF THE PARK CONCERTS:
Reverend Horton Heat – Sweetwater (October 2)
The String Cheese Incident – The Fillmore (October 4)
Rosanne Cash – Bing Concert Hall at Stanford (Palo Alto) (October 5)
Chuck Prophet – Hopmonk Novato (October 11)
Rodney Crowell – Rancho Nicasio (October 5)
Josh Ritter – The Chapel (October 3)
A Night of Music, Movies, and Meaning:
Finding Lucinda Live Screening + Performance
Four Star (October 3)
Patty Griffin/Nick Lowe – GAMH (October 3)
Dan Tyminski – Sweetwater Music Hall (October 3)
Watchhouse – The UC Theatre (October 4)
Los Straitjackets – Ivy Room (October 4)
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