Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 2012

[greghead]

From HSB facebook this afternoon:

Folks - some last minute shifting and sifting of bands prevents us from giving you the final lineup today as we promised. We apologize for the tease. Be assured that we are working hard to bring you the best festival ever. Thank you for your patience.

Shoot.

[Drinkey McDrinkerstein]

At least they give you that much instead of just leaving you hanging, like certain other festivals.

[getbetter]

Come on Tomahawk!!!! A SF show before they hit up their mini texas tour plus voodoo would be great!

[tubescape]

With Power to the Peaceful being cancelled for a 2nd straight year, you have to wonder if HSBG is also taking a big hit by the City asking for greater and greater fees. Kinda makes me think Outside Lands has upped the ante in terms of what the City thinks it should "profit" from these generous and free events. I really hope HSBG can sustain itself. The money the city brings in from hotels, transportation and other fees has to pretty large, but its not surprising that they want a little more.

[greghead]

Well, Warren was a fucking billionaire and according to Jerry Jeff's guitarist, Chris Gage (an ace fucking player in Austin), Warren set up a trust to fund the festival for upwards of 15 years because he wasn't sure his kids would maintain the festival without him around. Who knows how much money they have and how long it will go, but I'm happy to participate in such a cool event and will support the fest any way I can.


Now. FUCKING LINEUP IS OUT!!! http://www.strictlybluegrass.com

I'm really intrigued by the Boz Scaggs: Doug Sahm Tribute. Fucking love Doug Sahm, Sir Douglas Quintet, etc. Stoked for that. I'm also curious to see what the Vince Gill thing is, guy's a hell of a singer & guitarist, haven't seen him since 2006. And that Conor Oberst, Jenny Lewis, Ben Kweller, Simon Felice thing looks cool but will undoubtedly be crowded as all get-out. Bummed to see Gillian & Dave not on the lineup.

EDIT: Fans of Jack White's current band should make a point to check out Kevin Welch, Kieran Kane, & Fats Kaplin. Fats plays pedal steel in Jack's band. Plays a mean fiddle, too, probably what he'll be playing most at this set.

[Vasoline Groove]

EDIT: Fans of Jack White's current band should make a point to check out Kevin Welch, Kieran Kane, & Fats Kaplin. Fats plays pedal steel in Jack's band. Plays a mean fiddle, too, probably what he'll be playing most at this set.

Good to know. Looking forward to another great weekend in the park!

[Coachella Bound]

im very interested in coming back up for this, but have heard mixed things. I realize the lineup should be enough to go, but the fact that its free turns out a rather shitty crowed.

[tubescape]

^it's not so much the people in the crowd, but the size of the crowd that can be an issue. for me, the best way to enjoy it is to show up relatively early, pick one stage, and basically picnic at that stage all day. I've tried to do the see-all-the-acts-I-want-to-see-scramble-between-stages thing, and it's a pain. even if you are solo, it's just a hectic crowd to navigate. later in the day just becomes exponentially more difficult as the crowd swells and people get more and more drunk. that being said, this is one helluva festival and I love it. i've never seen an act seem disinterested while performing here either, which is something I can't say for festivals where I've paid a couple hundred bucks for. artists perform at HSBG because they want to and each set I've seen they all seem to be genuinely engaged and enjoying themselves. Thank you Warren!

[Egull]

^it's not so much the people in the crowd, but the size of the crowd that can be an issue. for me, the best way to enjoy it is to show up relatively early, pick one stage, and basically picnic at that stage all day. I've tried to do the see-all-the-acts-I-want-to-see-scramble-between-stages thing, and it's a pain. even if you are solo, it's just a hectic crowd to navigate. later in the day just becomes exponentially more difficult as the crowd swells and people get more and more drunk. that being said, this is one helluva festival and I love it. i've never seen an act seem disinterested while performing here either, which is something I can't say for festivals where I've paid a couple hundred bucks for. artists perform at HSBG because they want to and each set I've seen they all seem to be genuinely engaged and enjoying themselves. Thank you Warren!

This is really good advice. It is fun being there, but it kind of sucks when you actually treat it like a festival...Also, bring Sweet Tea Vodka and Lemonade, lots.

[greghead]

Friday is generally less crowded and allows for a bit of stage-hopping, but Saturday and Sunday get pretty crowded. The only time I've really had a huge issue with crowds was last year when Dark Star played the Arrow Stage (generally small to mid-sized acts play this stage) and their fans camped all fucking day, making the whole stage a clusterfuck that took 30 minutes to wade through. The Star stage can get pretty crowded. Rooster gets crowded but it never feels too crowded just by virtue of its location and the spatial geography of the viewing areas.

As mentioned, pick a primary-stage to set up camp and just chill out, you're guaranteed to hear great, engaging sets. Artists really love playing this gig.

[GeezrRckr]

Yes, Hellman endowed the festival for the next 10+ years or something (was in some article after he died....google it). As much as I agree with the sentiment of the City trying to make a money grab at every possibility (we're bankrupt for fuck's sake...what do you expect)...this festival is a trust fund baby.

And, yes, the fest has grown far too large to bounce around comfortably nowadays, sadly. After missing this the past couple years (last year I was at ATP), I'm happy to be here to soak this in. See you fools at the Park.

[greghead]

I just noticed that both Chris Robinson and Luther Dickinson are in the lineup with separate. Hopefully we get an on-stage collab of a Black Crowes song or two.

Now that lineup is out let's post discoveries, under-the-radar brilliance, etc.

I'll start. Holy fuck, Reignwolf:






Umm, yeah. I'll be seeing this guy.

[greghead]

It's surprising to me that you wouldn't bold Heartless Bastards. They seem like a thing you would like.

Really digging these folks. This song is really doing it for me.




EDIT: And this one, too.

[greghead]

This is Seasick Steve. Apparently, he's some kind of hobo who plays the hell out of shitty, beat up guitars.

[shakermaker113]

he's strangely popular in the uk. he never had much of an audience over here. I like his sound. I may have seen him at glastonbury.

[xanman86]

So stoked to finally get to see Dirty Three!!! :-D



...as long as they aren't on Friday night I guess lol

[greghead]

he's strangely popular in the uk. he never had much of an audience over here. I like his sound. I may have seen him at glastonbury.

I'd never heard of him, but dude has a HUGE following in the UK and seems decently popular with the Continentals as well. Looking forward to seeing him play.

[bmack86]

October 5 - 7, 2012 in Golden Gate Park

http://www.strictlybluegrass.com/


First lineup medley is up on the website, so far it looks like we're getting

Tiny Television

I really really hope this is like Mini Kiss with Television songs.

[greghead]

Oh my god, I would shit myself.

[GeezrRckr]

Heartless Bastards are an old favorite of mine...new LP is solid too. They are really great live and Erika is a force of nature (great voice, passion and guitar playing)!

Saw Seasick Steve perform at one of the All Points West fests I went to. He is surprisingly interesting and his story-telling is almost better than hearing his music.

EDIT: Reignwolf...holy fuck! Nice find, Greg, hot damn. I wonder if he'll be performing as the one-man band or with the other dudes. Kind of hope for the latter as that drummer is sick.

[greghead]

Reignwolf is my favorite discovery so far, Drew. I'm not sure if I want him alone or with a band, both versions are cool as hell. That drummer is rock solid, though, I'd be very happy to watch him play as well.

[TomAz]

I still can't get my head around the idea that you can't buy a beer at this thing.

[greghead]

I LIKE that, Tom. I much prefer to bring my own brew and whiskey than be stuck drinking stale Heineken at $9 a crack.

[guedita]

You can buy beer there. Tweaked out hippies sell them from their suitcase that they converted into an ice chest.

[greghead]

And there are tons of people selling beer in the crowd. One year I saw a guy selling Anchor Steam drafts from a keg he wheeled in on a wagon.

[greghead]

Putcha money down, putcha money down. Cops, man.

[TomAz]

pssst. hey buddy. yeah. psssssssst. wanna get.. drunk?

[greghead]

Who else is coming out for this? Drew and I cannot be the only two. Let your presence be known and let us bask in the glory of our superior taste in music.

[Robin]

I might show up for Saturday.

[lt.roast.a.botch]

Same here, Saturday or Sunday for me