Pick a stage you want to finish up at. Go in early enough to stake out a good spot for your chair, and maybe a blanket. I was okay without one, less to carry. Wander to the other stages and the food vendors. Dress in layers, use sunscreen, and bring a hat.
I will be there all weekend, as I vowed last year at the end of the weekend.
You do have to make choices. Settling in at one stage can be a viable option. Being on the move can also be a whole lot of fun.
What can really be best is having friends at different stages who have each laid down a tarp, and then moving around the festival.
If you do move around instead of settling in somewhere, there is always the chance in getting caught in a bottleneck, in huge crowds of shuffling people. Best advice then is to loudly say "moo!"
I would strongly advise against lugging in chairs and big wagons full of gear. Travel light and have a better time, especially at the end of the day.
Always makes me happy seeing friends unexpectedly, hanging out a bit, listening to great inspired music and musical legends, being in the beauty of Golden Gate Park. Especially boss when the friends I meet up with are Zoners!
One year, hedspace and I set up a perimeter to create "a wookie free baby zone" during the String Cheese Incident's set.
Hardly Strictly Blue Grass is one of the last few annual events that remains true to old San Francisco values. It does not seem like it can last forever, but I hope that it will. It is happening this weekend!
There is no excuse for anyone there being grouchy or territorial. Thanks to the bequest of one very wealthy dude, who loved music and the community, it is put on for free!
if youre in from out of town or its a first/only time, i would highly recommend prioritizing HSBG mainstay acts like emmylou harris over the typical bands zoners might gravitate to like SCI
Went to put down a trap for the Banjo Stage early one morning and caught an Emmylou soundcheck. What a treat.
Have a great weekend, all. Like Roarshock said above, it's a great SF event and the vibe is not to be beat. I've loved every year I've been there. I'll be watching on the stream.
I'm not usually one to watch music streams, but this one is so visually excellent, especially the drone shots, of places I know so well and have been enjoying my entire life, and it's even cooler to see so many people I know, both working and in the crowd.
It makes me happy and sad at the same time, which is actually pretty cool.
Really enjoyed being there Friday - so easy and not crowded at all.
First time seeing Rodney Crowell - thought he and his band sounded great. Also first time seeing Margo Price. And Amos Lee. Margo was entertaining but her guitarist Sean Thompson(?) just didn't do it for me. Too grunge sounding for me taste. Glad to hear Amos Lee, he sounded like a cross between Dylan and Ryan Adam's.. I left before the end of his set. Wandered to Rooster stage and caught Devil Makes Three, and liked what I heard. I missed Sam Bush sitting in with Nitty Gritty Dirt Band but head it was great. Hoping Sam Bush hangs around for the weekend. There was some groovy music earlier in the day at the Rooster stage - I think I might hang there next year. Sunday looks good at the Tower of Gold and a short walk to Swan Stage for Peter Rowan's set.
Just finished watching Kaia Kater. Not surprisingly, because I'm completely out of touch these days, I've never heard of her, but her set was really good. Very spare and moody with just a bass and violin/guitar accompaniment, but refined. I was just going to watch for a minute but stayed with it all the way through.
Now I'm enjoying another group I've never heard of, Cimafunk, it's a dance party!
I attended the Emmylou tribute at the Masonic on Thursday and let's just asy that was the greatest acts of HSBG (still living) distilled into a two hour and thirty minute show.
I though both Friday and today (Saturday) were fantastic.Sam Busy really hit it out of the park and Buddy Miller's set wa fantastic as always.Robert Earl Keen played with a full band and was spectacular as well.. Margo Price was great on Friday as was Nathaniel Rateliff.
Another fantastic Hardly Strictly Bluegrass in the books! Sunday's outing was top notch. Emmylou's closing set was one favorites over the 25 years. Started the day with Dry Branch Fire Squad and pretty much spent the day at the Banjo stage.The weather was perfect all weekend and the music was grand!
I caught about 30 minutes of the set from Evoflo on Arrow stage between acts at Banjo. Young band playing psycehdelic rock in the vein of early Pink Floyd, a ittle early Roxy music and some Patti Amith style unk mixed in. I liked them.
I liked a lot of the sets, but I was so happy to see "i'm With Her" again. Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O'Donovan. Their set was so amazing. The harmonies and musicianship - WOW!
Nice to see Sam Bush there for a change. My buddy is a big Charlie Parr fan and I finally got to see him. Good stuff.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Mice elf
wow so many great names on
wow so many great names on the bill
if I had to pick just one it would probably be lucinda
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Philzone Refugee
Pick a stage you want to
Pick a stage you want to finish up at. Go in early enough to stake out a good spot for your chair, and maybe a blanket. I was okay without one, less to carry. Wander to the other stages and the food vendors. Dress in layers, use sunscreen, and bring a hat.
Don't eat the brown acid.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Joe Buck is Back
How early do you recommend.
How early do you recommend. This will be my first as well. Arriving SFO tomorrow night. Will be staying at my friends house near Buena Vista park.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Mice elf
If being posted up in one
If being posted up in one particular spot is important to you, get there around 10
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Roarshock
I will be there all weekend,
I will be there all weekend, as I vowed last year at the end of the weekend.
You do have to make choices. Settling in at one stage can be a viable option. Being on the move can also be a whole lot of fun.
What can really be best is having friends at different stages who have each laid down a tarp, and then moving around the festival.
If you do move around instead of settling in somewhere, there is always the chance in getting caught in a bottleneck, in huge crowds of shuffling people. Best advice then is to loudly say "moo!"
I would strongly advise against lugging in chairs and big wagons full of gear. Travel light and have a better time, especially at the end of the day.
Always makes me happy seeing friends unexpectedly, hanging out a bit, listening to great inspired music and musical legends, being in the beauty of Golden Gate Park. Especially boss when the friends I meet up with are Zoners!
One year, hedspace and I set up a perimeter to create "a wookie free baby zone" during the String Cheese Incident's set.
Hardly Strictly Blue Grass is one of the last few annual events that remains true to old San Francisco values. It does not seem like it can last forever, but I hope that it will. It is happening this weekend!
There is no excuse for anyone there being grouchy or territorial. Thanks to the bequest of one very wealthy dude, who loved music and the community, it is put on for free!
I hope to see you in the park!
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Dr. Benway
if youre in from out of town
if youre in from out of town or its a first/only time, i would highly recommend prioritizing HSBG mainstay acts like emmylou harris over the typical bands zoners might gravitate to like SCI
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Strangha
Went to put down a trap for
Went to put down a trap for the Banjo Stage early one morning and caught an Emmylou soundcheck. What a treat.
Have a great weekend, all. Like Roarshock said above, it's a great SF event and the vibe is not to be beat. I've loved every year I've been there. I'll be watching on the stream.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Mice elf
https:/
https://hardlystrictlybluegrass.com/hsbtv/
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Strangha
Schedule https:/
Schedule https://hardlystrictlybluegrass.com/2025-schedule/
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: MarkD
So, they are only
So, they are only broadcasting the Rooster Stage?
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Strangha
No, I got all stages. Go to
No, I got all stages. Go to Browse up top, click on it, and then hit the arrow on the right. Stages will change.
THIS IS AMAZING they broadcast all this. THANK YOU Hardly Strictly.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: MarkD
Thanks Slick.
Thanks Slick.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Lance just me Newberry
I'm not usually one to watch
I'm not usually one to watch music streams, but this one is so visually excellent, especially the drone shots, of places I know so well and have been enjoying my entire life, and it's even cooler to see so many people I know, both working and in the crowd.
It makes me happy and sad at the same time, which is actually pretty cool.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: That’s Nancy with the laughin’ face
Really enjoyed being there
Really enjoyed being there Friday - so easy and not crowded at all.
First time seeing Rodney Crowell - thought he and his band sounded great. Also first time seeing Margo Price. And Amos Lee. Margo was entertaining but her guitarist Sean Thompson(?) just didn't do it for me. Too grunge sounding for me taste. Glad to hear Amos Lee, he sounded like a cross between Dylan and Ryan Adam's.. I left before the end of his set. Wandered to Rooster stage and caught Devil Makes Three, and liked what I heard. I missed Sam Bush sitting in with Nitty Gritty Dirt Band but head it was great. Hoping Sam Bush hangs around for the weekend. There was some groovy music earlier in the day at the Rooster stage - I think I might hang there next year. Sunday looks good at the Tower of Gold and a short walk to Swan Stage for Peter Rowan's set.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: ParadiseWaits
Sam Bush is coming right up
Sam Bush is coming right up https://hardlystrictlybluegrass.vhx.tv/hardly-strictly-bluegrass-2025-li...
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Lance just me Newberry
Just finished watching Kaia
Just finished watching Kaia Kater. Not surprisingly, because I'm completely out of touch these days, I've never heard of her, but her set was really good. Very spare and moody with just a bass and violin/guitar accompaniment, but refined. I was just going to watch for a minute but stayed with it all the way through.
Now I'm enjoying another group I've never heard of, Cimafunk, it's a dance party!
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: ParadiseWaits
Steve Earle or REK. I've seen
Steve Earle or REK. I've seen Earle a few times live, but never REK. Maybe I can watch a little of each
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Woz
I attended the Emmylou
I attended the Emmylou tribute at the Masonic on Thursday and let's just asy that was the greatest acts of HSBG (still living) distilled into a two hour and thirty minute show.
I though both Friday and today (Saturday) were fantastic.Sam Busy really hit it out of the park and Buddy Miller's set wa fantastic as always.Robert Earl Keen played with a full band and was spectacular as well.. Margo Price was great on Friday as was Nathaniel Rateliff.
Looking forward to tomorrow!
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Roarshock
"Tonight I'm going to party
"Tonight I'm going to party like it's 1999."
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Strangha
What a great weekend. Thank
What a great weekend. Thank you Warren Hellman and the City of San Francisco. And of course, the people! The streaming was fantastic.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Woz
Another fantastic Hardly
Another fantastic Hardly Strictly Bluegrass in the books! Sunday's outing was top notch. Emmylou's closing set was one favorites over the 25 years. Started the day with Dry Branch Fire Squad and pretty much spent the day at the Banjo stage.The weather was perfect all weekend and the music was grand!
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Any Other Day
The sets by William Prince
The sets by William Prince and Jontavious Lewis on Rooster Stage were fantastic!
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Woz
I caught about 30 minutes of
I caught about 30 minutes of the set from Evoflo on Arrow stage between acts at Banjo. Young band playing psycehdelic rock in the vein of early Pink Floyd, a ittle early Roxy music and some Patti Amith style unk mixed in. I liked them.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Strangha
I liked a lot of the sets,
I liked a lot of the sets, but I was so happy to see "i'm With Her" again. Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O'Donovan. Their set was so amazing. The harmonies and musicianship - WOW!
Nice to see Sam Bush there for a change. My buddy is a big Charlie Parr fan and I finally got to see him. Good stuff.