Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival 2011

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass is one of San Francisco's greatest treasures - a completely free, three-day music festival in Golden Gate Park celebrating bluegrass, Americana, and roots music. Founded by the late Warren Hellman, this festival brings together legends and rising stars across multiple stages. 2011's lineup was absolutely extraordinary.

The Legends

Robert Plant & The Band of Joy

The Led Zeppelin frontman brought his current band and delivered a mix of Zeppelin classics reimagined, old blues covers, and newer material. Hearing that iconic voice echo through the park, whether he was singing "Ramble On" or obscure folk songs, was transcendent.

Emmylou Harris

Emmylou's voice is pure and crystalline - age has only made it more affecting. Her set was a gorgeous mix of her classics and newer songs, with that voice soaring over the trees of Golden Gate Park. When she sings, time stops.

Steve Earle & the Dukes (with Allison Moorer)

Steve Earle's rough-hewn voice and politically charged country-rock, paired with his wife Allison Moorer's gorgeous vocals, made for a powerful combination. From "Copperhead Road" to more introspective ballads, they commanded the stage.

Earl Scruggs

Seeing the 87-year-old Earl Scruggs, the man who revolutionized banjo playing, was like witnessing living history. His three-finger picking style still sounded as clean and innovative as when he invented it. Absolute mastery on display.

Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys

Dr. Ralph Stanley's high lonesome sound is bluegrass at its most pure and haunting. At 84 years old, he was still bringing that authentic mountain music to the masses.

Modern Masters

Bela Fleck & Zakir Hussain & Edgar Meyer

This collaboration between banjo virtuoso Bela Fleck, tabla master Zakir Hussain, and bassist Edgar Meyer was mesmerizing. Watching these three masters from different musical traditions find common ground and create something entirely new - it was a privilege to witness.

Gillian Welch

Gillian Welch and David Rawlings are keepers of the Americana flame. Their sparse, haunting songs feel timeless - like they could have been written 100 years ago or yesterday. "I'll Fly Away" and "Orphan Girl" reduced the crowd to respectful silence.

John Prine

John Prine's wit, wisdom, and storytelling make him one of the greatest songwriters alive. His set was funny, heartbreaking, and thoroughly entertaining. "Angel from Montgomery" still gets me every time.

Broken Social Scene

The Canadian indie collective brought their orchestral indie rock to a bluegrass festival and somehow it worked perfectly. Their expansive sound fit right in.

Bluegrass Royalty

Del McCoury & The Preservation Hall Jazz Band

The legendary Del McCoury collaborating with New Orleans' Preservation Hall Jazz Band was an inspired pairing - bluegrass meets jazz in the most authentic way possible.

The Blind Boys of Alabama

Gospel legends bringing soul-shaking vocals and harmonies that lift you right up. When they sing, you feel it in your chest.

David Bromberg Quartet

The multi-instrumentalist and his band brought their eclectic mix of blues, folk, and bluegrass.

Hugh Laurie

Yes, that Hugh Laurie - Dr. House himself. Turns out he's also an accomplished blues pianist and singer. His set was a fun surprise, showing his genuine love for traditional New Orleans blues and jazz.

The Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Magic

What makes this festival special isn't just the incredible music - it's that it's completely free. Warren Hellman's vision was to give San Francisco a gift, and that gift brings together people of all ages and backgrounds to celebrate roots music in one of the most beautiful settings imaginable.

Blankets spread across the grass, families and friends picnicking, the smell of eucalyptus trees, and stages scattered throughout Hellman Hollow and Lindley Meadow - it's a magical experience. You can wander from stage to stage, discovering new artists or catching legends you've loved for decades.

The Verdict

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 2011 was a celebration of American roots music at its finest. From the high lonesome sound of Ralph Stanley to Robert Plant's rock-god reimagining of blues standards, from Earl Scruggs' revolutionary banjo to Bela Fleck's boundary-pushing collaboration - this festival showed the depth, breadth, and living evolution of roots music.

And the best part? It's free. Every year. Thank you, Warren Hellman, for this incredible gift to San Francisco.