Hardly Strictly Bluegrass is one of the largest free music festivals in the country, and it can be overwhelming to decide where in Golden Gate Park to spend the better part of your time at this festival. Here's a guide to the top five artists you should not miss at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 2008. Check out the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Web site for a full line-up and schedule.
Bad Livers
photo: Kim Ruehl/About.com
This is one of only two shows the Bad Livers are playing on their reunion tour. The first one was earlier this summer at the Pickathon festival in Portland, Ore. I was there, and it was a tremendous set. This band is largely responsible for spearheading the progressive bluegrass movement, and they haven't toured in seven years. If you miss them this weekend, who knows when your next chance will be? And it's free!
Performing: Arrow Stage, Saturday, Oct. 4
Purchase/Download: "Shit Creek"
For fans of: Grateful Dead, Infamous Stringdusters, Bela Fleck
Performing: Arrow Stage, Saturday, Oct. 4
Purchase/Download: "Shit Creek"
For fans of: Grateful Dead, Infamous Stringdusters, Bela Fleck
Three Girls & Their Buddy
photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
I'm a sucker for all-star bands, and this one is incredibly impressive. Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin, Shawn Colvin, and Buddy Miller have done a bit of touring together, and they'll be reprising their collaboration at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass this year. Definitely a set you don't want to miss.
Performing: Banjo Stage, Saturday Oct. 4
For fans of: Cry Cry Cry, Each of the artists involved
Performing: Banjo Stage, Saturday Oct. 4
For fans of: Cry Cry Cry, Each of the artists involved
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, featuring T Bone Burnett
© Rounder Records
This is a no-brainer. Plant and Krauss released one of the best collaborative records of last year, if not ever, and Burnett was the disc's impeccable producer. The pair is fresh off of numerous awards (including accolades at this year's Americana Honors), and will likely give the most valuable free performance you'll ever see.
Performing: Banjo Stage, Friday, Oct. 3
Purchase/Download: "Sister Rosetta Goes Before Us"
For fans of: Robert Plant, Alison Krauss, T Bone Burnett
Performing: Banjo Stage, Friday, Oct. 3
Purchase/Download: "Sister Rosetta Goes Before Us"
For fans of: Robert Plant, Alison Krauss, T Bone Burnett
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
© Drag City
As singer-songwriters go, Bonnie "Prince" Billy will offer an intriguing departure from the progressive bluegrass and alt-country artists mostly dominating the rest of the schedule. Think of him as a male version of Beth Orton. His songs are simple and complicated in the same breath, ambient and soulful.
Performing: Rooster Stage, Sunday, Oct. 5
Purchase/Download: "A Group of Women"
For fans of: Beth Orton, Iron & Wine, Bob Dylan
Performing: Rooster Stage, Sunday, Oct. 5
Purchase/Download: "A Group of Women"
For fans of: Beth Orton, Iron & Wine, Bob Dylan
Justin Townes Earle
photo: Kim Ruehl/About.com
Justin Townes Earle is one of the most gifted new songwriters on the scene these days. His highly lauded debut, The Good Life, has set a high bar for whatever he does to follow up, and Earle is a consummately captivating performer. If you catch one solo artist the whole weekend, make it him.
Performing: Porch Stage, Sunday, Oct. 5
Purchase/Download: "The Good Life"
For fans of: Steve Earle, Hank Williams, Townes Van Zandt
Performing: Porch Stage, Sunday, Oct. 5
Purchase/Download: "The Good Life"
For fans of: Steve Earle, Hank Williams, Townes Van Zandt
