Article Contributed by Big Hassle Media
Published on 2026-08-05
Photo Credit: Jay Blakesburg
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass has announced a new round of performers for its 2026 festival, returning to San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park from Friday, October 2, through Sunday, October 4.
Now in its 26th year, the free music festival will once again present an eclectic lineup spanning bluegrass, Americana, rock, folk, roots music, and beyond.
Newly announced artists include Aaron Lee Tasjan, Darrell Scott String Band with Rob Ickes, Dug, Mama’s Broke, Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, Kam Franklin, Ismay, Jesse Welles, Sierra Hull, and a tribute to Joe Ely featuring The Flatlanders and friends.
The latest additions join the previously announced AJ Lee & Blue Summit, Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, Hiss Golden Messenger, Kathleen Edwards, My Morning Jacket, Old Crow Medicine Show, El Khat, Tyler Ballgame, William Tyler & Yasmin Williams, and John Craigie with The Coffis Brothers.
A lineup medley is currently streaming through the official Hardly Strictly Bluegrass app and website. Additional performers will be announced.
“Last year we celebrated the silver anniversary of Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, kicking off a chapter of reflecting on everything we’ve built over the last 25 years,” said executive director John Caldon. “This October, we’re bringing that to a culmination by inviting back legacy artists like Gillian Welch & David Rawlings and Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, as well as presenting a tribute concert to honor Steve Earle—a defining voice in the HSB family whose generosity and artistry have shaped who we are. As we conclude this hallmark year, we couldn’t be more excited for the next twenty-five.”
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass will begin its 2026 celebration with a festival-eve benefit honoring Steve Earle, who has performed at every edition of the festival since its second year in 2002.
“An Evening Honoring Steve Earle” will take place Thursday, October 1, at The Masonic in San Francisco.
The three-time Grammy Award winner will be joined by friends and collaborators including Buddy Miller, Elizabeth Cook, Emmylou Harris, Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, Jackson Browne, Hot Tuna, Larry Campbell & Teresa Williams, Molly Tuttle, and additional guests.
Buddy Miller will serve as musical director, with Reckless Kelly, featuring Greg Leisz, as the backing band.
Tickets for “An Evening Honoring Steve Earle” are available HERE.
The festival’s “Out of the Park” concert series will also return, with proceeds benefiting Sweet Relief’s Bay Area Musicians’ Fund.
Nighttime performances will take place at venues throughout the Bay Area, including Gillian Welch & David Rawlings at The Fillmore, Molly Tuttle at Bing Concert Hall at Stanford, Old Crow Medicine Show with Ismay at Sweetwater Music Hall, and Hiss Golden Messenger at Little Saint in Healdsburg.
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 2026
October 2–4, 2026
Golden Gate Park
San Francisco, CA
Second Lineup Announcement
Aaron Lee Tasjan
Darrell Scott String Band with Rob Ickes
Dug
Mama’s Broke
A Tribute to Joe Ely with The Flatlanders and Friends
Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas
Ismay
Kam Franklin
Jesse Welles
Sierra Hull
Initial Lineup
AJ Lee & Blue Summit
Gillian Welch & David Rawlings
Hiss Golden Messenger
Kathleen Edwards
My Morning Jacket
Old Crow Medicine Show
El Khat
Tyler Ballgame
William Tyler & Yasmin Williams
John Craigie with The Coffis Brothers
Additional artists will be announced.
Out of the Park Concerts
September 28 – Molly Tuttle – Bing Concert Hall at Stanford
October 2 – AJ Lee & Blue Summit with Bandits on the Run – Sweetwater Music Hall
October 2 – Gillian Welch & David Rawlings – The Fillmore
October 2 – John Craigie with Anna Moss – Great American Music Hall
October 2 – Tyler Ballgame – Cafe Du Nord
October 3 – El Khat – Freight & Salvage
October 3 – Old Crow Medicine Show with Ismay – Sweetwater Music Hall
October 4 – Kathleen Edwards – The Guild Theatre
October 5 – Jimmie Dale Gilmore – HopMonk Tavern, Novato
October 6 – Hiss Golden Messenger – Little Saint, Healdsburg
