Photo by Dino Perrucci

Adored Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh announced who will be joining him for Phil Lesh & Friends during his performance at the Stern Grove Festival in San Francisco on Aug. 14. The event, which takes place in a shadow-cast eucalyptus-wooded natural amphitheater, will also feature Midnight North and DJs Walkin’ Love & Arewenotdead of Freak Flag Radio.

As for his Friends, Lesh will be joined by Scott Metzger, Stanley Jordan, John Molo, Jason Crosby, Kate Jacoby, Mikaela Davis, Grahme, Lesh and Stuart Bogie. It’s notable that the event marks Lesh’s first free show in San Francisco in 30 some odd years.

Stern Grove is currently celebrating their 85th summer gathering and was established in 1938 – pausing only for World War II in 1942–45 and the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020. So far this summer, they’ve welcomed Toro Y Moi, Hello Yello, Liz Phair, Madi Diaz, Old Crow Medicine Show, Molly Tuttle, Cat Power, Spelling, Leann Rimes, Amythyst Kiah, and the San Francisco Symphony. Before Lesh’s appearance, they’ll welcome Taj Mahal and Monophonics on Aug. 8.

During Phil Lesh & Friends, Stern Grove Festival will also host The Big Picnic, an annual fundraising event that benefits the festival’s goal to present admission-free concerts and outreach programs for the people of the bay area. While the concert is completely free and open to the public, there are reserved picnic tables available for $5,000-$10,000 for up to 10 guests as part of the Festival’s fundraising efforts.

Free reservations for the event opened on Aug. 2 at 2 p.m. local. Learn how to reserve a table here.