HSBF Episode 1.

ha

still is...

It stated out as a pleasant local blanket crowd. That lasted for a few years.

It went downhill when the elitist tarp people got territorial and tried to claim prime space for all 30 of their friends that weren't there yet. fuck you asshole.

And when they put up the fences and then the barriers....Just too many people.

I have fun. Crowds are fun. 

I may go back this year (and bring my clear backpack) since a good buddy lives on 31st and I can stay with him.  

I'll always be grateful to Mark for that seat for John Prine and getting to meet DNB. Wonderful memories, good folks. 

Announcement last Wednesday:

HARDLY STRICTLY BLUEGRASS 24    Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA     October 4-6, 2024

INITIAL LINEUP

Greensky Bluegrass

Robyn Hitchcock

Big Star’s Radio City 50th Anniversary

The Wood Brothers

Fruition

Bobby Rush

Haley Heynderickx

The Bones Of J.R. Jones

Alice Gerrard

Glen Hansard

Damn, what happened to the archives link? What a treasure.

I'm looking forward to HSBG, it's always a hoot....

Don't sleep on Bobby rush a true bluesman and entertainer this man is 90 years old and still going hard

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lTgEVMvDRWE&pp=ygUYYm9iYnkgcnVzaCBjaGlja2V...

I may be able to catch a set or two.  My son is getting hitched in SF on the 5th.

He lives within walking distance.  But I think we're staying closer to the venue than to his place.

Also, saw Bobby Rush open for Buddy Guy back in April.  A lotta fun.  His set included Bowlegged Woman, . . . 

From Relix today:

Today’s artist additions include J Lee & Blue Summit, Sleater-Kinney, Emmylou Harris, Sean McConnell, Levitation Room, Ibibio Sound Machine, Jobi Riccio, Dakhabrakha, Tony Trischka’s Earl Jam, and Devendra Banhart on the lineup. 

https://relix.com/festivals/festival_news/detail/hardly-strictly-bluegra...

>>>Just too many people<<<

That's the only thing that's ever been wrong with this festival.

If they ran it like Outside Lands, used the Polo Fields and sold tickets to limit capacity it would be a MASSIVELY better event.

But oh how we love "free".

I'll take HSBF over the gated community of outside lands. 

Chappell Roan crowd won't be too many people and the music rocks. Right?

lineup gets better with every drop:

https://www.gratefulweb.com/articles/hardly-strictly-bluegrass-adds-yo-la-tengo-molly-tuttle-and-more-2024-lineup

Feed Your Head...

full line up...

Patti Smith!

https://www.hardlystrictlybluegrass.com/

outside lands blows, and the ticketless, free nature of hsbg is what makes it special and fun. if i wanted to pay a ton of money to see a handful of bands i actually want to see playing truncated and casual sets padded out by bands i couldnt care less about, i could go to any of the countless paid festivals all over the country. the ticketless, free for all nature of HSBG is what makes the festival structure work for me  - its fine that the bands im really into play truncated or more casual sets, and im more than happy to brave the crowds in exchange for wandering around and checking out bands id probably never have heard otherwise. its a fun time, but i dont think id pay $100 per day or whatever surely crazy figure they'd want for a ticket. the huge crowd size is a frustrating downside, but at the same time, the huge crowd size is a consequence of one of the most fundamental aspects of HSBG that makes it appealing in the first place.

Looks fun to me, I'll be at the festival from start to finish as I've been since the first one.

me too!

Flying in Thursday. $209 for non-stop RT, and I have a place to stay. Hard to pass up. Haven't been since 2019. Looks like good weather. Mark, you passing? 

>>>Warren must be disgusted with how they have screwed this up<<<

Dawn Holliday, who Hellman originally hired to book the acts, who convinced him to expand the event and add "Hardly" to the name and is the true architect of the festival as it's known once told me that Hellman never really liked how different and huge the event became from his original vision.

And other than the fencing and the year-to-year fluctuating reality of the bookings I don't really see anything much different from years past. Are the fences & gates really that big a deal? You can still bring most anything you want into the venue, including your dog, and while Holliday was brilliant at booking the acts and running the event until she retired about eight years ago, it's incredibly complex to book an event like HSBG, and not ALL great acts (or the ones we personally like) are always on the road or near the region in October. 

And don't get me wrong from my previous comments in this thread. Overall I've always thought it's a great event and still do, mostly because I've never been exposed to a more spectacular natural setting for a concert than the western side of Golden Gate Park, it just requires way too much effort for me personally to see a number of artists who would normally be playing at the Warfield, Fillmore, Great American Music Hall or the Independent.

That being said, now that I have an ADA placard I may try to slip in late Sunday for Patti Smith and Infamous Stringdusters. 

Have fun to all who go!

Can someone explain the logic of having the Wood Brothers, the Infamous Stringdusters, and Emmylous Harris all playing at the same time to close Sunday night? Wow. Disappointing. 

The Grid   https://www.hardlystrictlybluegrass.com/schedule

It's free.

cedrick burnside.

Can someone explain the logic of having the Wood Brothers, the Infamous Stringdusters, and Emmylous Harris all playing at the same time to close Sunday night? Wow. Disappointing.

Yes. Crowd management. The organizers want the crowd spread out across the park rather than all at the same stage.

>Are the fences & gates really that big a deal?<

Not really --- as a logistical ingredient.

But in more philosophical parameters, the event started out as "free music in the local park" and the open borders provided attendees with a rare and splendid feeling of smiling freedom to just walk up into the park, make your own way around and come and go as you please. No physical or visual dividers between those in and those out. We were all one. Felt very San Francisco. (Pre HSBF there were some other no-fence concerts that I remember that went off ok. They also felt like "music in GG park....wow this is really cool" -- it's just a different vibe than attending a high security concert in a predesignated area only.)

Fences are just a byproduct of crowd control and those two words "crowds" and "control" are what actually puts a damper on things. A necessary evil to be sure (people suck and lots of people suck more).  And the inevitable ne'err-do-wells trampling plants, peeing on trees and building homeless encampments (muchless bonafide terrorists) make fence companies happy.

But eventually, after fences comes gates and lines and searches and cops and more fences and longer lines and then fenced off VIP areas and before ya know it, 8 dollar bottles of water and limos full of Google asshats who pay homeless people to put down tarps for them that they jealously guard for friends who never arrive.

Progress (sigh).

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OSfCFWp2DeE&pp=ygUfd2lsbGllIG5lbHNvbiBkb24...
 

it's that 

We were well inside the fence at Robert Plant. Had a wonderful time. Sorry to the second come second served. 
 

>>>But eventually, after fences comes gates and lines and searches and cops and more fences and longer lines and then fenced off VIP areas and before ya know it, 8 dollar bottles of water and limos full of Google asshats who pay homeless people to put down tarps for them that they jealously guard for friends who never arrive<<<

There have always been fences at that event, and other than a very, very minor search at the entry gates (that are all at the areas almost everybody would enter anyway) everything you described was happening 15- 20 years ago.

In fact, one of the main reasons I stopped going regularly was when I lost my connections to get a Friends & Family pass, which allowed me into the spacious, roomy, shaded VIP areas with free water and nice bathrooms that have always existed next to the stages, along with a parking pass that allowed me to park in the park.

And I wasn't even a "Google asshat".

I understand and agree that there was a psychological, aesthetic benefit to it seeming like it was just another day in the park and oh look, there are stages with music! But it never actually WAS just another day in the park, and from my understanding the fencing & gates were pretty much a requirement for the event to continue.

Given that the actual restrictions are very minimal and it's still a free event, entry gates and exterior fencing seem like a very small concession to what continues to be a very fine event.

In other words, except for some minor physical changes and the yearly vagaries of the talent, the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival is very much the same event it's always been.

For better and worse.

Can't wait to see raining chainsaws again.

And the inevitable ne'err-do-wells trampling plants, peeing on trees

are you seriously trying to tell me you have gone to HSBG and never peed on a tree? i call BS

Daylight I never said I wasn't a "ne'er-do-well." 

I've gone three years and never peed on a tree.  There were lots of Porto-potties.  

Understand Woz. Just disappointed 3 of my top 10 are at the same time, all somewhat similar genres. Molly Tuttle, Milk Carton Kids, Aoife O'Donovan are high on my list also. A few others. 

And I've never peed on a tree at HSBF. 

>the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival is very much the same event it's always been.<

Well, if you think there's little difference between a 3,000 person event and a 300,000+ person event -- you're probably right.

Conversely, I was there for the first ten years and noticed a tad bit of a change -- the last time I attended there were literally dozens of people hanging out of the branches on every tree I wanted to pee on! But I had fun at everyone of them. (Alas, I did not have special access.) Probably my favorite times were seeing Doc Watson. I can still remember recognizing nearly ever person at the first couple MoonAlice shows -- there was like 3 dozen people there to see Barry play. Times change, for sure. 

20011: "What started in 2001 as an afternoon of strictly bluegrass (performers included Emmylou Harris, Allison Kraus, Jerry Douglas, and Hazel Dickens) has evolved into its ‘hardly strictly’ moniker.... the inaugural concert in 2001, which attracted about 3,000 fans,.... By the second year, 10,000 people enjoyed two days of music on three stages. After that, Wise says, "it just exploded." Attendance figures aren’t in for this year’s 10th anniversary celebration, but early estimates are in the 900,000 range...With 80 artists performing on six stages over a three-day run,"

2013: "Although exact numbers were not yet available, event producer Dawn Holliday estimated that 900,000 people packed the park for the event, well above the 250,000 who showed up last year. "It was the most phenomenal turnout we ever had," Holliday said. "We hit 400,000 people on Sunday alone."

https://folkworks.org/review/hardly-strictly-bluegrass/

https://www.sfgate.com/music/article/festival-draws-record-crowd-organiz...

Grace Slick would remind us that it doesn't mean shit to a tree.

Mavis, baby

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HF1z7IQYfWA&pp=ygUTTWF2aXMgc3RhcGxlcyB3aGV...

Bss - I commend you for the links you've been posting lately.  You're finding some good stuff. Thanks.

Thanks Alan

Well, if you think there's little difference between a 3,000 person event and a 300,000+ person event -- you're probably right.

Well, to be honest the festival has been quite large for the majority of its existence. I remember that first two years it was cold, foggy and sparsely attended. I recall watching Peter Rowan and feeling like tumbleweed was going to blow past me in the cold open fields. The festival has grown over the years. Many of our old heroes that played in the early year have passed on and exited stage left. But as Tom would say, on it goes. I love the festival, it's my favorite event of the year. Turning it into a paid event would ruin what it is. An egalitarian "only in San Francisco" kind of thing ironically created by a billionaire who left a legacy more associated with Haight Street than Montgomery Street. You literally get people from every nook and cranny of the city and Bay Area and beyond. The much complained about fences and gates are no big deal. I few short cuts were lost but it protects the park. And there is nothing quite as fun as concerts in Golden Gate Park. This year's lineup looks fantastic and I'll be there all three days, it's my happy place. Hope to see some of you freaks there.

1100 am, better get there early. Tower of Gold Stage. Look at all those tarps.  And the fences, oh my.  

Bob Weir singing Led Zepplin's Kashmir is a memory from a past HSBG

Huge fun yesterday. Started with Steve Earle and company playing music from gravel road.......a tribute to Lucinda Williams. Great set. Also really enjoyed Lindsay Lou, Wonder Women of Country, Molly Tuttle and Cat Power performing Dylan '66.It was a beautiful day! Heading back shortly......

Have a great day, folks.  Missing being with you this year.  Glad to hear the weather is cooperating.

Glad to finally see Lindsay Lou. Enjoyed her. Milk Carton Kids were great as usual and Molly slayed. Great day and great shows. Cat Power crowd was overflowing and these old bones made their way home.

Great day in the park. Love those great SF/ Golden Gate Park vibes.

In the park and waiting on Dry Branch Fire Squad.....love those guys! Have a great day whatever you do!

> Cat Power crowd was overflowing..

and underwhelming. we had a decent spot there but split early.

 would love to see Greensky later today, and wondering if Holly Bowling will be playing with them again..but the heat is keeping me away.

Off to the pool, and looking forward to a bit cooler day tomorrow. AJ Lee and Blue Summit on tap along with Stringdusters for Sunday. If you liked Molly Tuttle do NOT miss her brother Sully playing with AJ Lee, and expecting Molly will sit in. He's got a voice like Johnny Cash and plays as well as his big sister. 

>That being said, now that I have an ADA placard I may try to slip in late Sunday for Patti Smith and Infamous Stringdusters. 

DO IT! The shuttle service they offer and ADA set up makes it possible, and easy to get around.

PS

Haven't been on a Friday in years, absolutely the BEST day to attend the crowded festival. Have to say that the folks in attendance were just so lovely and friendly. 

I mean, it totally sucked, man. Stay home and bitch about the changes...  :)

Saw a couple of tunes from Cat Power. Didn't want to stand for another hour after standing for Molly. And it was a bit underwhelming, and crowded, so I left for home to rest these old bones. Probably head over soon starting with Allison Brown. 

I watched Cat Power's set on the stream, and while I thought she & her band were excellent I can understand how it would have been underwhelming after a long day, and overall I don't really understand why she's doing this Dylan thing.

Her own music is so outstanding and unique, I've never seen a bad Cat Power show. Her shows are always VERY low-fi, delicate, very, very quiet and mellow (yesterday was easily the most rockin' I've ever seen her) but always absolutely captivating, so her doing Dylan covers seems a bit of a waste.

Emotionally she's always been right on the edge, well known for onstage meltdowns and huge stage fright, so maybe this is easier for her, and is likely a money-maker, but hopefully this is just one long tour and she'll go back to her own material, although yesterday was the third time she's brought the Dylan bit through the Bay Area.

>>>Haven't been on a Friday in years, absolutely the BEST day to attend the crowded festival<<<

That's always been my experience. Lindley Meadow sure did look glorious on the video screen. The shots from behind the Towers of Gold stage with the sun setting through the trees brought back many memories and had me jonesing to be there.

The heart is willing, not sure the body is able, but good memories are a good thing and the event still looks like the event.

Carry on!

Lance, they really have the ADA accommodation working so well it shouldn't be an issue getting around the festival. Park on JFK in reserved ADA parking, take the shuttle to the ADA tent. Get wrist band and from there a golf cart shuttle to whatever stage you request. They will give you a number to call if you need a transport to another stage or if you can make your way to the designated pick up locations there are golf carts waiting to drive you around. Really impressive set up. 

Thanks Nancy. Yeah, the overall operation of that event is damn fine, and I can take a pinch of satisfaction knowing that many of the folks involved are friends and old co-workers, and I even helped more than a few learn the ropes, but even with the accommodations it's still a lot of effort and time, and this weekend I don't have much of either.

And I'm OK with that. Things change and I've seen more than my fair portion of these live shows, so I figure now I'm doing my part for the greater good by not being there... one less body at that event makes a big difference, right?

For those that are going, you're welcome.

Thank you! :)

Take care of yourself and at least the live  stream is a decent alternative to being there. 

((That one time mc hammer opened the festival at 10 am))

Allison Brown, Dave and Jimmie Dale, and Steve Earle with the amazing Molly. Great day! Mighty fine. Mighty fine.

Hey Mark, good to see you post.

I was hearing the reports of the fire in Lake County and was thinking of you.

Are you OK up in them thar' hills?

Some good music today.  Enjoy folks!

You could do a nice run today if you don't mind some walking:

Cedric Burnside>Ramblin Jack>Big Star>Yo La Tengo>Patti Smith>Emmylou Harris is one possible itinerary.  
 

Whichever way your pleasure tends, have a great day in the park!

Another HSBG in the books. It is an annual event that presents what is good and right about San Francisco. Reminds me why I love the City so much and am so happy and proud to have lived here all these years. I hereby resolve to attend again next year!

It was uncomfortably hot all weekend, but it worked out okay. Drank a whole lot of water and no beer.

Personal highlights this past weekend.

Jimmy Dale Gilmore singing "Get Together"

Steve Earle singing "Willin'"

Ramblin' Jack Elliot singing "San Francisco Bay Blues"

Patti Smith's entire set from front row along the rail.

See you next year!

Saw your top three, Roarshock. Patti was packed - saw one song and headed for the Stringdusters to close it out. Great weekend. Yeah, time for some San Francisco pride. The peeps are great.

Love those guys too Woz.  Did you see them when Ron Thomason talked about growing up in a racist environment and how he learned from others in the business (I forget who he mentioned but one might have been Ralph Stanley) to evolve into a human being? Might have been 2016 or 2017.  I was really moved by his story.

I sure do recall that weekend Mark!

Another fun HSBG in the books. Oppressive heat (93 on Saturday and 90 yesterday) suppressed attendance as it was hot in the sun. After Dry Branch Saturday morning we moved to Rooster stage where there was shade and enjoyed Jobi Riccio, Teddy Thompson (Richard's son) Dom Flemons and Carlene Carter. Then we moved to Swan for a ripping set from Dave Alvin and Jimmy Dale Gilmore.They tore it up. We closed out the day with half a set from Steve Earle and Milly Tuttl;e and then ran to Rooster for the end of Anders and Jack which was smoking.

Sunday was hot again but we got in early for Chaparelle which was a highlight of the weekend. Tony Trischka turned in a top notch tribute to the late Earl Scruggs. Next surprise for me was Big Star Quintet at Swan stage. I really enjoyed their set. It was all about finding shade so we went back to Rooster for Brandi Clark before heading to the Tower of Gold for an absolutely stunning set by Patti Smith. The area was filled to capacity as the sun was low in the sky casting an eerie orange pale over the crowd. Patti had the audience in her palm. We then stopped in on the AStrinduster for 10 minutes before getting bored and ending the day with Emylou.

Saw a guy with a P & F shirt, asked if he was a Zoner. He said yes and then his wife came up and turns out she is friends with some friends of mine in Salt Lake. Small world. She said his shirt gets a call out often, like on their honeymoon in Kauai!

Roarshock, did it seem weird to you Steve Earle kinda took over Ramblin' Jacks' last 10 minutes of a 40 minute show. Would've liked to hear more from Jack before they left.

Yeah. Jack's set seemed truncated. They announced from the stage they were going to "beat the heat" and wrap it up. Maybe it was too much for Jack sitting out in the hot sun. Dude is 93 years old.

Yeah, record heat at HSBG. As well as in Santa Clara where the 49ers inexcusably lost to Arizona. Ugh,

My surprise set of the weekend:

Robyn Hitchcock / Carnaby Street 1967...

https://archive.org/details/robynhitchcock2024-10-05

Bobby Rush singing and dancing his 91 year old ass off out in that heat

down in the crowd even

the moonwalking came in around 3/4 of the way thru his show. Awesome

I wish I went over to see that

https://hardlystrictlybluegrass.vhx.tv/hardly-strictly-bluegrass-2024-li...

he starts at 3:50:50

Definitely watching Jimmie and Dave later on.

You'll notice Steve Earle seated stageside in a Yankees shirt taking in this legend

Right on!

Forgot to mention another highlight which was DakhaBrakha ~ the band from Kiev, Ukraine. They were really interesting and unlike any other band. I am not sure if those tall furry hats they wore were ideal head wear for yesterday's weather though.

Nice WALSTIB !!