Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 2025 will take place in Golden Gate Park on Fri, Oct 3, 2025 – Sun, Oct 5, 2025. It is a free event and you can learn more about it at https://hardlystrictlybluegrass.com/.
I have been attending the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival for many years and even do a sort of review and give out awards. It is all in good fun and looking back over it I did notice something. This year there are fewer headline acts and not many bands from New Orleans. In the past years there were big name artists like Steely Dan, Boz Skaggs, Rickie Lee Jones, Asleep at the Wheel, Elvis Costello, Mavis Staples, Jon Batiste, Alan Toussaint to name but a few. This year it seems to be more of the standard bluegrass people with a sprinkling of alt-rock, country, singer-songwriter thing thrown in. But it is all good. Who can complain about a free music festival! One thing for sure about the festival is that you always discover someone that you never knew about that knocks your socks off.
I am looking forward to a few bands I have heard before: Samara Joy is a beautiful singer and Cimafunk is a young Cuban band that is forging new terrain. A few bucket list bands like Nitty Gritty Dirt Band who hopefully will sing Mr. Bojangles and new-comers like Max Gomez. The adventure starts Friday. Pace yourself!
AFTER HOURS IN SAN FRANCISCO
If you still have some energy after you flew in from out of town, and you want to hear some local players, maybe have a beer, here are my suggestions. These are all slanted towards the San Francisco jazz scene in town.
The Royal Cuckoo Organ Lounge
3202 Mission St at Valencia – Music from 8-11pm
Often some of the best working jazz players in town. The place is small and intimate and very old school spinning the vinyl on the breaks.
Keys Bistro
For another outstanding jazz a good spot in North Beach is Keys Bistro 498 Broadway. Excellent food at the venue and many excellent restaurants nearby.
Madrone Art Bar
And if you are still going on Sunday, I highly recommend the session at Madrone Art Bar not far from Golden Gate Park. Sunday B3 Sessions Hosted by Adam Shulman and Mike Olmos Swinging soul jazz with a jam session to follow 9pm-Close No Cover
500 Divisadero Street.