Sleater-Kinney Joins Emmylou Harris & More In Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 2024 Artist Lineup

Sleater-Kinney, Devendra Banhart, Tony Trischka’s Earl Jam and more join Hardly Strictly Bluegrass perennial festival closer Emmylou Harris in the second round of artist reveals by the annual free fest, taking place in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park Oct. 4-6.

Joining them in the second round are AJ Lee & Blue Summit, Sean McConnell, Levitation Room, Ibibio Sound Machine, Jobi Riccio, and Dakhabrakta. Among the artists already announced to perform at HSB are Big Star Quintet, consisting of Jody Stephens (Big Star), Mike Mills (R.E.M.), Chris Stamey (The dB’s), Jon Auer (The Posies) and Pat Sansome (Wilco), celebrating the 50th anniversary of the original alt-rock band’s Radio City. 

Others previously announced include Robyn Hitchcock, Glen Hansard, Bobby Rush, Greensky Bluegrass and The Wood Brothers. 

Now in its 24th year, the free music festival with over 70 artists performing on six different stages will once again present an eclectic bill of top performers spanning an array of genres and no doubt present unique collaborations and surprise guests.

Tony Trischka’s Earl Jam, for instance, is a nod to the festival’s “strictly bluegrass” roots and legendary bluegrass (and HSB) pioneer Earl Scruggs. Of the “Earl Jam” set, Trischka says, “I really look forward to returning to Hardly Strictly with Earl Jam: my tribute to Earl Scruggs, celebrating his 100th birthday. The last time I played the festival it was a gorgeous, sunny day in Golden Gate Park and Earl was also on the show and played incredibly, so it seems fitting to return to this great festival to honor this great man!”

In addition to the daily HSB lineups, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass has in recent years collaborated with local venues to promote “Out Of The Park” shows – keeping the party going well after the festival’s 7:30 p.m. closing time with nighttime concerts in the region by artists who are also playing the fest during the day.

In keeping with HSB’s longstanding tradition of giving back to the local music community, proceeds from the “Out Of The Park” shows will go to the Sweet Relief Bay Area Musicians Fund. 

Among the Out Of The Park shows already announced are Glen Hansard and Greensky Bluegrass at the Fillmore, Robyn Hitchcock, Fruition and The Bones of J.R. Jones at The Sweetwater, Haley Heyndrickx at The Guild Theatre, and Big Star’s Radio City 50th Anniversary at The Great American Music Hall, with more to be announced soon.

Sweet Relief was founded in 1994 by singer-songwriter Victoria Williams and has been providing financial assistance to all types of musicians and music industry workers ever since. Its Bay Area Fund provides emergency financial assistance to musicians and music industry workers in San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa, and Marin counties.

 “During the pandemic, we worked with Sweet Relief to provide assistance for the Bay Area music community,” says Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Executive Director John Caldon. “Knowing the funds go to those struggling to make ends meet while facing physical or mental health issues, disability, or age-related problems, we’re proud to partner with Sweet Relief to support artists, who are the lifeblood of HSB.” 

As HSB approaches its 25th anniversary in 2025, its intrepid staff has been combing the archives to share some of the special moments from the past decades in presenting a web series “Portals to the Past.” On July 25, in honor of what would have been HSB founder Warren Hellman’s 90th birthday, the first segment, “Strictly Bluegrass” was released on the HSB TV platform. Additional performers to the 2024 edition of Hardly Strictly Bluegrass will be announced by way of music medleys available at HSB social media platforms on Aug. 20 and Sept. 3.

The past two decades have seen Hardly Strictly Bluegrass grow from a one-day local attraction to a world-renowned three-day festival. The one-of-a-kind, annual free event boasts more than 70 artists on six stages spanning roots and Americana, funk, rock, soul, and more, highlighted by rising stars, countless surprises, and annual favorites such as Emmylou Harris and Steve Earle. Since its inception, the festival has become what the San Francisco Chronicle calls “one of the country’s most beloved live music events.” 

Founded by Warren Hellman in 2001, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass marked the late financier/philanthropist’s gift to the City of San Francisco, offering a free outdoor festival in the historic Golden Gate Park to serve as an annual celebration of American music. 

Honoring the legacy of Warren and Chris Hellman, their four children, who are the directors of the Hellman Foundation, oversee Hardly Strictly Bluegrass. They are guided by a very special mission celebrating American roots music and its many outgrowths in an environment that fosters joy, creativity, freedom, peace, collaboration, love of music, mutual respect, and spiritual community.