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| Lucinda Williams @ Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 2025 (Photo: Sean Reiter) |
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass once again filled Golden Gate Park with stages of diverse, talented musicians on the first weekend of October in the City's beloved annual free musical festival. Supported by the philanthropy of the Warren Hellman Foundation, the festival has long presented a weekend that leans heavily on great music and stays light on overt commercialization.
Celebrating its 25th year, this year's lineup was stacked every day and throughout the day. Here's a look at some of the highlights and photos HSB 2025:
Day 1 - Friday
BALTHVS started us off sexy
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| BALTHVS @ Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 2025 (Photo: Sean Reiter) |
The three-person, psychedelic Columbian groove band created a sexy and trance-like vibe opening up Friday's Tower of Gold stage. While this band draws many comparisons to Khruangbin, they brought their killer vibe to Bottle Rock earlier this year in a set that had the crowd abuzz. Friday's tough 1 pm slot saw them quickly win over the crowd. Their decision to throw in a delightful cover of Grateful Dead's "Shakedown Street" in the Golden Gate Park setting was smart and electrifying.
Margo's infectious enthusiasm in the afternoon sun
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| Margo Price @ HSB 2025 (Photo: Sean Reiter) |
Margo Price and her band delivered once again on a big Bay Area festival stage with a set at the Banjo Stage that included a blend of her defiant and liberated originals ("Hurtin' (on the Bottle)" and "Don't Wake Me up") and classic covers (Dylan's "Maggie's Farm", George Jones' "I Just Don't Give A Damn" and an encore of Janis Joplin's "Mercedes Benz"). For many, the highlight seemed to be when Rodney Crowell came out to join the barefoot singer for a fun version of "Don't Let the Bastards Get You Down."
The Reverand fired them up
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| The Reverand Horton Heat @ HSB 2025 (Photo: Sean Reiter) |
The Reverand Horton Heat took the Towers of Gold Stage resplendent in a beautiful blue suit with his retro, guitar-forward rock 'n' roll driving the crowd's energy. His set provided a nice blend of sneer and smile and his cover of "Big River", and finale of "Big Red Rocket of Love" served as highlights.
ALO and The Mother Hips brought the hometown vibes
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| ALO @ HSB 2025 (Photo: Sean Reiter) |
ALO and The Mother Hips have long been two of the Bay Area's most consistent and energetic live performers whether playing at smaller or larger venues throughout the Bay. Though they tour throughout the country, there is a devoted and passionate local audience that identifies them as "ours". Friday saw them scheduled for back-to-back sets at the Swan and Towers of Gold stages in front of crowds that were extremely packed and passionate for the mid-afternoon Day 1 slot. ALO threw out a terrific version of "Maria and were joined by local treasure Laurie Lewis for "Rare Air." The Mother Hips didn't allow the blazing midday sun to keep them down one bit as they blasted through classics like "Later Days", "Honeydew" and "Am I Allowed."
Nitty Gritty goes deep and long
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| Nitty Gritty Dirt Band @ HSB 2025 (Photo: Sean Reiter) |
Hardly Strictly runs a tight and on-time ship, but longtime favorite rockers Nitty Gritty Dirt Band wasn't leaving until they considered the job done and no one seemed to protest their finish going into overtime with a rollicking, long cover of The Band's "The Weight". Versions of Dylan's "You Ain't Goin' Nowhere", Hank Williams' "Jambalaya" and Jerry Jeff Walker's "Mr. Bojangles" seemed to have aged nicely when presented by NGDB.
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats delivered the energy
Nathaniel Rateliff NEVER disappoints. His never wavering, authentic enthusiasm is second to none and Friday's performance felt like a church revival combined with a daytime keg party as he headlined the Towers of Gold stage. Songs such as "I Need Never Get Old" and the always rollicking "SOB" had the crowd shooting their hands in the air, dancing and singing along.
"Finding Lucinda" Friday Night
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| Ismay's 'Finding Lucinda' event @ The 4-Star Theater (Photo: Sean Reiter) |
After Nathaniel Rateliff, Amos Lee and The Devil Makes Three had long finished their headlining sets, a HSB star-studded event was held up the hill at Clement Street's The 4 Star Theater with a screening and performance combination celebrating Ismay's documentary "Finding Lucinda". The film captures the search of Ismay (Avery Hellman) for answers about how and whether she should pursue her musical ambitions as she embarks on a road trip to explore the origin and legacy of Lucinda Wiliams. Prior to the screening of the film, eventgoers in the intimate theater were treated to live performances and stories about both Ismay and Lucinda from Hardly Strictly luminaries that included Steve Earle, Chuck Prophet and Jimmie Dale Gilmore – along with Olivia Wolf, Elizabeth Lubin and Ismay herself. The documentary is well-worth purchasing or renting on Apple TV, Amazon or other stream services for any fans of music - with a compelling storyline, fascinating anecdotes and stunning cinematography.
Day 2 – Saturday
Courtney Barnett delivered straight-ahead headliner rock to a huge crowd
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| Courtney Barnett @ HSB 2025 (Photo: Sean Reiter) |
Courtney Barnett brought all her fun and rock power to Saturday's headlining set on the Swan Stage and delivered the most memorable set of the weekend. Despite being placed into a timeslot that required festivalgoers to decide between catching her set or those of HSB stalwarts Steve Earle and Robert Earl Keen. Barnett brought the youngest and seemingly most enthusiastic crowd out in overflowing numbers – estimates ranged from 50,000 to 80,000. Barnett and her fellow bandmates - drummer Stella Mozgawa and bassist Bones Sloane – took the stage with confidence and power and never let up. Barnett had the crowd pulsing throughout the set and frequently voiced here appreciation of the moment while delivering a sonic assault with her left-handed guitar playing. I was lucky enough to be able to see and capture her performance from the far back of the massive crowd to being on the stage. Based on the comments I heard the next day – I was far from alone in labeling Barnett's effort the most memorable and captivating set of the weekend.
Tweedy made it a family affair
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| Jeff Tweedy @ HSB 2025 (Photo: Sean Reiter) |
Jeff Tweedy's set at the Towers of Gold Stage featured the Wilco Frontman with a full band that included his sons Spencer (drums) and Sammy (vocals). The set was highlighted by the live debut of "Betrayed" early and a version of "California Stars" that he delivered as Saturday's bright sun gave way to the evening's golden hour before sunset. Like Barnett, Tweedy brought a huge crowd. Many who saw the big crowd for Barnett chose to try to fight their way for a good spot, but rather steady in place to listen to the headline set.
Cimafunk brought the party and invited many to join
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| Cimafunk @ HSB 2025 (Photo: Sean Reiter) |
Cimafunk's exuberant set on the Swan stage featured a large collection of musicians and a ton of loving fans on the side of the stage. Their Afro-Cuban sound shot energy into the crowd and was then underlined by audience members being encouraged to join them on stage. By the time the set was done, the stage was completely full of celebrants!
A Toast to Audie
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| Austin De Lone Celebration @ HSB 2025 (Photo: Sean Reiter) |
Bill Kirchen gathered fellow band members and musical friends earlier in the day at the massive Banjo Stage to celebrate the life and music of longtime Mill Valley keyboardist and musical treasure Austin "Audie" De Lone - who passed away in January of this year. Kirchen was joined by De Lone's daughter, singer Caroline, Nick Lowe, Jimmie Dale Gilmore and De Lone's beloved bandmates form Wreckless Strangers, among others for a musical sendoff that featured many of De Lone's song. The set was highlighted by a brilliant guitar battle between Kirchen and Wreckless Strangers' David Noble.
Max Gomez showed a full Horseshoe Hill that he's one to watch
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| Max Gomez @ HSB 2025 (Photo: Sean Reiter) |
New Mexico's Max Gomez has played several well-attended shows in the North Bay in recent times and his early Saturday slot on the intimate Horseshoe Hill Stage was well-attended and provided a nice bit of early day shade for those seeking an escape from the weekend's never-ending sun. Gomez put his compelling blend of likability and storytelling – combined with great songwriting – on full display.
Day 3 – Sunday
Madeline Hawthorne kicks things off in style
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| Madeline Hawthorne @ HSB 2025 (Photo: Sean Reiter) |
Colorado's Madeline Hawthorne played the hand she was dealt - an early day slot on the tucked back Arrow Stage – and won. Hawthorne's talent and stage command was on full display as her magnetic performance brought crowd members over in droves from the Banjo Stage, food stands and the nearby entrance. By the time she stepped off stage from her first HSB appearance the crowd had swollen and roared with appreciation. It seems likely that her next visit to HSB will be on a bigger stage and a later slot!
Moonalice was all good vibes on The Swan Stage
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| Moon Alice @ HSB 2025 (Photo: Sean Reiter) |
The positive energy of Moonalice was overflowing on Sunday – best evidenced by the never-ending smile that founding guitarist Roger McNamee had on his face as he played along with 85-year-old Lester Chambers on songs such as "Let's Get Funky and "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace Love and Understanding." The T-Sisters shined on "Me and My Family" and the band leaned into a "Turn on Your Lovelight" that had the audience shooting their hands up and singing along
The Man of 1,000 Personas presented another great one
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| Chuck Prophet @ HSB 2025 (Photo: Sean Reiter) |
At this point, Chuck Prophet has presented himself to adoring audience in the Bay Area in so many different formats and bands that it should have come as a surprise to no one that he would bring Chuck Prophet & His Cumbia Shoes to HSB. Prophet - who stared down Stage 4 lymphoma earlier in the year – presented the music that inspired him through his recovery to a big crowd at Towers of Gold Stage as a blend of South American sounds with his San Francisco influences in a fun and engaging performance.
High times for Nick Lowe and Los Straitjackets
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| Nick Lowe & Los Straightjackets @ HSB 2025 (Photo: Sean Reiter) |
While there may be a huge visual difference between the debonair rock 'n' roller Nick Lowe and the Mexican wrestling-masked Los Straitjackets, the blending of their 50's and 60's guitar pop influenced rock sound was undeniable. The band darted through more than a dozen songs in their set – including a terrific opening "And So It Goes", "Heart" (Rockpile) and their 2024 collaboration "Jet Pac Boomerang".
Lucinda found on the Banjo Stage
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| Lucinda Williams @ HSB 2025 (Photo: Sean Reiter) |
A massive final day crowd filled the bowl in front of The Banjo Stage and spilled up the surrounding hill and back into walkways to pay homage to Lucinda Williams. Williams – who has overcome multiple health and life situations that would have completely sidelined most of us – stood before the huge crowd holding herself steady with her microphone stand as she launched into her recent song "Rock 'n' Roll Heart" followed by massive hit "Car Wheels on a Gravel Road." Williams roared through her 11-song triumphant set – finishing with a cover of Neil Young's "Rocking in the Free World."
From Tragedy Comes Beauty
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| Alan Sparhawk & Trample by Turtles @ HSB 2025 (Photo: Sean Reiter) |
When Low cofounder Mimi Parker passed in 2022, co-founder Alan Sparhawk lost not only his bandmate and creative partner, but also his wife. The Duluth rocker emerged from the tragedy joining with fellow Duluth natives Trampled by Turtles for a new album and tour. Knowing Sparhawk's back story, their festival closing set on The Swan Stage was a powerful, emotional exploration that displayed the power of music to make you feel. Sparhawk's singing seemed to be equally filled with hope and despair while Trampled by Turtles set a beautiful musical canvas below for him to paint upon.
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