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A Preview of Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 9
It's going to be a semi-warm weekend and just possibly (though we can't promise anything) it will be sunny in Golden Gate Park at least on Friday and Sunday, so the ninth annual Hardly Strictly Bluegrass promises to be as jammed packed with free music seekers as ever. The annual roots music fest is sponsored by local billionaire and banjo-player Warren Hellman, and once again this year features some big acts that fall into the "hardly strictly" area, like Aimee Mann, MC Hammer, Okkervil River and Marianne Faithfull as well as a whole bunch of down-home American banjoin' and fiddlin'. It takes place in the Speedway and Lindley Meadows (basically the same grounds as Outside Lands, minus the Polo Field). And did we mention it's completely free? Below, a few quick recommendations.
FRIDAY
Though we're curious to know WTF MC Hammer is doing on the bill or what he's up to these days, he's playing at 11:30 a.m. as part of an educational program for local schools, and we're not sure we'll motivate to get out to GG Park that early.
But at 5:45 we whole-heartedly recommend Lyle Lovett, especially if you only know him as that weird guy in The Player. He's got a swell voice, he puts on a good show, and along with his Large Band this should be a mellow set to kick off the weekend with a lot of blues and gospel touches. (Listen to some of the new stuff on iTunes here.)
SATURDAY
1:15 p.m. The Tim O'Brien Band - offering up some pure and lively banjo and guitar folk. Listen to "You Are My Flower" as an example.
1:35 p.m. Okkervil River - They won't be at Treasure Island this year, but their set last year was awesome, so we're sure the fans will pack it in at this show for one of the hottest indie acts around.
2:40 p.m. Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers - Yes, the Steve Martin, who's a musician in addition to being a writer and comedian and has loved the five-string banjo his whole life.
5:25 p.m. Richie Havens - It's a toss up, because Gillian Welch is also playing simultaneously, but she's here every year and we'd have to go with catching a set from the legendary Havens, who as you may or may not know, played Woodstock.
6:50 p.m. World Party - Programmed against Steve Earle (who's sure to draw the bluegrass purists), we think we're more curious to hear these guys, who are kind of unclassifiable and whose pop-y sounds haven't really seen the light of day since the Reality Bites and Clueless soundtracks.
SUNDAY
12:00 p.m. Hazel Dickens - The reknowned feminist, pro-union bluegrass singer is back for her ninth HSB fest, and if you've never heard her, you should.
1:15 p.m. Billy Bragg vs. The Chieftains - It's English against Irish on two separate stages; you decide.
2:05 p.m. Allen Toussaint - Yet another American treasure and a New Orleans legend not to be missed.
3:05 p.m. Aimee Mann - We love her all work, including her latest from 2008, @#%*! Smilers.
4:10 p.m. Marianne Faithfull - She's got a voice these days like an alcoholic chimney sweep and her latest album Easy Come, Easy Go features a bunch of great songs written by other artists like Neko Case, Rufus Wainwright and Dolly Parton. (Note: You probably want to catch at least 10 minutes of gospel/soul legend Mavis Staples at 4 p.m. too. -- another frustrating bit of simultaneous programming)
5:20 p.m. Neko Case - Her new album Middle Cyclone is fucking genius, and if we're lucky maybe Marianne will stop by for a duet.
6:45 p.m. Emmylou Harris - It's her ninth straight year here and she's the backbone of this festival. 'Nough said.
If you don't know where you're going, download the map here - and we recommend taking the 5 Fulton and entering the park at 25th Ave. Also, you can print the schedule, or follow the fest on Twitter.