Strictly Bluegrass Festival 2011

Strictly Bluegrass (the precursor to Hardly Strictly Bluegrass) in 2011 brought an incredible mix of Americana, folk, and bluegrass artists to San Francisco. The lineup ranged from legendary songwriters to rising stars in roots music.

The Legends

Elvis Costello

Seeing Elvis Costello perform in an acoustic, bluegrass-adjacent setting was fascinating. The man has written so many incredible songs across so many genres, and hearing him strip them down revealed the craftsmanship underneath. His wit, his voice, and his catalog of classics made this a highlight.

Randy Newman

Randy Newman is one of America's greatest songwriters - clever, satirical, emotionally complex, and musically sophisticated. Hearing him perform "Short People," "I Love L.A.," "You've Got a Friend in Me," and deeper album cuts while sitting at his piano was a masterclass in songwriting. His dry humor and self-deprecating stage banter made it even better.

Rising Stars of Americana

The Avett Brothers

The North Carolina folk-rock brothers brought their high-energy, emotionally raw performances. Their blend of punk energy and folk tradition is infectious. "I and Love and You" and "Murder in the City" hit hard, and their between-song banter showed why they've built such a devoted following.

Conor Oberst (Monsters of Folk)

The Bright Eyes frontman performing with Monsters of Folk showed a different side of his songwriting. His voice, lyrics, and folk sensibilities fit perfectly in this acoustic setting.

Bluegrass & String Band Excellence

Yonder Mountain String Band

Colorado's progressive bluegrass jammers brought high-energy picking and improvisation. Their blend of traditional bluegrass with rock and jam band sensibilities won over festival-goers.

James McMurtry

The Texas singer-songwriter (son of author Larry McMurtry) brought his literate, detailed story-songs. His observational lyrics and Americana sound were perfect for this festival.

Umphrey's McGee

The progressive rock jam band showing their bluegrass and acoustic chops in this setting revealed their musical versatility.

The Festival Atmosphere

Strictly Bluegrass brought together artists who don't often share a bill - rock icons like Elvis Costello alongside traditional bluegrass acts, modern Americana stars alongside legendary songwriters. The diversity of the lineup showed the breadth of American roots music.

The Verdict

Strictly Bluegrass 2011 was a celebration of songwriting, musicianship, and the many branches of American roots music. From Randy Newman's satirical piano ballads to The Avett Brothers' punk-folk energy to Elvis Costello's new wave classics reinterpreted acoustically - this festival showed that great songs transcend genre.

Warren Hellman's vision of bringing diverse roots music to San Francisco for free created something special. These festivals are treasures that bring communities together around music.