Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 2025 Adds Nathaniel Rateliff, Peter Rowan With Sam Grisman Project, BALTHVS & More

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass organizers announced the third wave of the lineup for its 25th anniversary event, which will take place at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco October 3 – 5, 2025. Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, Peter Rowan with Sam Grisman Project Playing Old & In The Way & More and BALTHVS are among the 10 new additions.

“Hardly Strictly Bluegrass is always the great homecoming,” said Peter Rowan. “Sharing the stage with Sam Grisman and his band of young talented players, infused with the legacy of Old & In the Way, is a real treat. Warren’s legacy lives on.”

Margaret Glaspy, Cimafunk, Paper Wings, Kaia Kater, Evolfo, Rosie Flores and Anderson East have also joined the eclectic bill. The third wave was initially teased through a medley posted on the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass app and website.

Previously announced HSB 25 performers include Lucinda Williams, The String Cheese Incident, I’m With Her, ALO, Courtney Barnett, The Reverend Horton Heat, Samara Joy, The Altons, William Prince, Sinkane, Watchhouse, Nick Lowe & Los Straitjackets, Dan Tyminski Band, Josh Ritter & The Royal City Band Kelly McFarling, Jontavious Willis, and The Watson Twins and Chuck Prophet & His Cumbia Shoes.

A special, sold-out, all-star benefit concert honoring Emmylou Harris at San Francisco’s The Masonic will start the 25th anniversary weekend celebration on Thursday, October 2. Emmylou Harris is the lone musician to perform at each and every Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival.

HSB also celebrated its silver anniversary with the release of Hardly Strictly Bluegrass at 25: The Big Twang!, a book comprised of photos and essays. “For the first time in our history, we have decided to put together a book to share the memories we have made for the past 25 years of Hardly Strictly Bluegrass”, said Avery Hellman, Creative Director of the book. “We spent months collecting our favorite photographs of performances and candid moments to share with our audience. This book really tells the story of our unique place in the world of live music; it is guaranteed to delight you, and revive any forgotten memories of HSB.”

Additional performers will be confirmed soon. See the 2025 Hardly Strictly Bluegrass lineup as it currently stands below: