
Free concerts return to SF’s Jerry Garcia Amphitheater
An underrated gem of the San Francisco Recreation and Park System, McLaren Park tucked between Excelsior and Visitacion Valley plans to host a series of free concerts on Saturdays starting in late August.
The music will ring out from the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater, a Greek-style amphitheater with a capacity of 1,200 that originally opened in 1971. In 2005, it was named after the Grateful Dead frontman, who grew up in the Excelsior.
Booked by Noise Pop in conjunction with the SF Parks Alliance, the Due South concerts begin on Aug. 27 with Deafheaven, a critically acclaimed San Francisco rock band who gracefully mix elements of shoegaze and metal for what will likely be a very loud and revelrous show. Oakland rockers Marbled Eye will open.
The next concert will take place on Sept. 17 featuring Thao, formerly of Thao & the Get Down Stay Down, a longtime San Francisco songwriter who has been a stalwart of the national indie rock landscape since the early aughts. Kicking off the show is Bay Area rapper-slash-COVID researcher Ruby Ibarra.
The last event of the series happens Oct. 8 featuring Latin rock legends Ozomatli, alongside Oakland cumbia group La Misa Negra.
Each concert is free, but reserved seating can be secured by purchasing an SFPA membership ($50 for two seats, $100 for four).