Photo Credit: Jay Blakesberg

San Francisco’s premiere free roots music festival, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, has just announced the first group of artists set to perform at its 2024 staging. Returning to the of Golden Gate Park from Oct. 4-6, the festival will bring more than nearly 70 renowned artists to six stages across the scenic setting.

Hardly Strictly’s 2024 return features performances from roots outfits like five-piece jam ensemble Greensky Bluegrass, as well as veteran acts like Big Star’s Radio City 50th Anniversary, which features Big Star’s Jody Stephens alongside R.E.M.’s Mike Mills, Wilco’s Pat Sansone, the dB’s’ Chris Stamey, and the Posies’ Jon Auer as they take the iconic album on tour for its semi centennial. Storied roots band The Wood Brothers is also set to perform, joining Portland-grown rock ensemble Fruition and folk musician Haley Heynderickx on the bill. The 24th annual festival will also feature English singer-songwriter Robyn Hitchcock, blues act Bobby Rush, folk-rock act The Bones Of J.R. Jones, bluegrass singer Alice Gerrard and Irish rocker Glen Hansard (The Frames).

Rooted in the spirit of its founder, philanthropist Warren Hellman, HSB continues to honor and celebrate American roots music completely free of charge. For fans unable to attend, the festival will be available for streaming on the HSB TV platform (bitly). The festival also released an exclusive teaser medley of its performers, now streaming on the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass website.

Oliver Wood, commenting on this year’s event, stated, “Can’t wait to get back to one of our very favorite festivals, in such a beautiful park and at the perfect time of year—see you soon in SanFran at Hardly Strictly!” Additional performers will be revealed in the months leading up to the festival, with artist information and medleys to be released on Aug. 6, Aug. 20 and Sept. 3.

Artists Announced 7/24 
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