I made it out to SF to see HSB in 2004 and 2005 while I was living outside of Reno. It really turned the corner after 2004 and got significantly bigger. It's a big, beautiful five (as of last year) stage festival that's completely free and paid for by Warren Hillman. I reserve hotels the first full weekend in October every year just in case I can make it out...no go this year. If you haven't been before, here are a few tips.
- if you can stay within walking distance of the park, you're golden. If not, try to be on a bus line that drops you off on the north side of the park near Speedway Meadows.
- if you walk into the park at the Haight St. end (east), you've got a looooonnnngggg walk....miles. See bus tip above.
- Both years I found it best to check out the stage playlist - they'll publish it soon - and pick a stage to stick to all day. Believe me, it'll be hard to do because the playlist is so great. Get to the park at about 9am, settle in, and enjoy the day. If there's three or four of you then you can wander off to another stage if there's someone you really want to see (nobody will mess with your laid blanket and chair, even if you're gone) particularly in the AM. But...later in the day it'll be tougher to get close to any stage. The sound is great throughout the park so not being close doesn't hurt too much though vision lines can be difficult are the northern stage (Rooster?)
- They sell food and drink (non-alchoholic) in the park but you can bring anything with you in a rolling cooler: food, beer, wine, anything....it's S.F. and everybody's having a good time.
- the basic list: blankets, hats, food, drink, low-back (small) chairs. It's S.F. and I nearly froze due to ill preparation on Saturday in 2004. A year later, it was damn hot...layer.
- if you thinking of driving to near the park, bring a lucky charm...there is little parking. I was able to park on the last day in 2005 because I got to the park area about 9am (and listened to Emmylou warm-up that morning).
- Steve and the Bluegrass Dukes always play the main (Banjo? Star?) stage. It's got the most real estate for fans and it will see the biggest names throughout the weekend. I've have the best luck at the Star and Rooster stages (OCMS, Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, Jon Langford, Laurie Lewis, Buddy and Julie Miller in 2004, etc.)
- it'll be the best crowd you'll get at a festival. Great music, great people.
I'm envious if anyone goes....enjoy.
Todd