Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival To Hold Free, Virtual Event For 2021

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Steve Earle. Photo: Jay Blakesberg

After taking a hiatus last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Roots Music Festival will be held as a free, virtual, live streamed event.

Held Oct. 1-3, the upcoming festival will feature 15 live-broadcast and 12 pre-recorded performances from a lineup that includes Emmylou Harris, Steve Earle, Mavis Staples and Belá Fleck as well as first timers The Tallest Man On Earth and Las Cafeteras.

This year’s festival will feature pre-recorded sets and interviews from artists in New Orleans & San Francisco alongside live performances happening in real time from a COVID-careful location in the Bay Area.

“We did not come to the decision to withdraw our plans for Golden Gate Park lightly, but with the current information we have about the severity of the Delta variant, and given the history and mission of HSB as a free event open to all, we are taking these steps to protect our fans, artists and crew,” says Hardly Strictly Bluegrass’ Producer Sheri Sternberg. “We are thrilled with the line-up and excited that we are still able to offer fantastic sets from some of the greatest musicians in the world, available for everyone to watch no matter where they are!”

This hybrid plan allows for viewers to safely enjoy the performances of Lake Street Dive, Andy Shauf, Valerie June and others, in real time while also experiencing specially-taped sets from the likes of Bob Mould with Fred Armisen as well as Seratones with Alynda Segarra.

For more information on how to watch this year’s Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival, click here.

Lorie Hollabaugh
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