Hardly Strictly Bluegrass is THE annual festival to go to in San Francisco. It’s like drinking and eating in Dolores Park, except you get to see grade “A” acts, and even wackier people watching. FOR FREE.
What I generally love about HSBG is that it’s a great culmination of never waiting around to see a band so you’re never bored, and you have to bring your own beer, wine, alcohol and food. Cheap, cheap, cheap!
Arm yourself with toilet paper (ladies – you’ll have better peace-of-mind if you go in a bushy nook then in those ungodly port-a-potties), a blanket (NOT a gigantic tarp those post-menopausal, frizzy, gray-haired ladies who like to dance helicopter-style put
down), snacks, your choice of drink (I can assure you that the surrounding liquor stores will be tapped out), and you’re all set.
If you’ve never been, and you’re like “Dude, bluegrass? – No thanks”. Think again. It’s called HARDLY STRICTLY bluegrass. So here are the bands to see if you don’t like hippie-dippy country crooners.
Nick Lowe is really old now, and he still makes you want to get into his pants.Friday
It might be hard to catch Friday’s acts because the people who have jobs are keeping their jobs because no one has any money, therefore going to a free event is the only event to go to nowadays, but you might not be able to attend because you’re working. Stupid!
MC Hammer (11:30 am): I don’t think he wears hammer pants anymore, so stop making worn-out jokes. And he’s doing something for the children.
Tom Morello:The Nightwatchman (3:00 pm): Guitarist for many cool bands.
Lyle Lovett & His Large Band (5:45 pm): I only want to see him because he was in Robert Altman movies.
Saturday
Steve Martin with the Steep Canyon Rangers (2:40 pm): Have you heard Steve Martin’s first stand-up comedy album where he plays banjo? He’s an amazing banjo player.
OLD 97’s (3:30 pm): Never been a fan because I’m not Janeane Garofalo, but I’ll see them for free.
Nick Lowe (4:40 pm): Nick Lowe is really old now, and he still makes you want to get into his pants. He’s a songwriter, musician, producer legend and everyone should see him.
Sunday
This seems like the more “young/hip crowd” day. I’d say if you had to choose one day, go Sunday.
Robyn Hitchcock & the Venus 3 (Noon): I only want to see him because The Dirtbombs covers one of his songs, and it’s a great song. Also, I hear he’s pretty good.
Billy Bragg (1:15 pm): He’s Billy Bragg.
Aimee Mann (3:05 pm): I’ve been to a few Aimee Mann shows, and sometimes they’re a
little boring, but she has great repertoire with herself. She’s friends with comedians therefore she is funny.
The Knitters (5:30 pm): I’ve always been an X and a John Doe fan, and have always wanted to see them, but never wanted to pay 25 bucks. So now I can!
Well, those are my highlights. There are many more performers that you probably want to see that I don’t. And that’s the beauty of Hardly Strictly Bluegrass.
