SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — Free concerts, either regular or new, are becoming more and more common throughout San Francisco, and there is a belief that they are moving the city in the right direction.
For the past nearly 90 years, the Stern Grove Music Festival has presented stunning headliners like Chaka Khan for free.
“We really want to provide free live music and make it accessible to the community,” said the festival's marketing director, Molly Fremgen. “We feel like concert tickets are very expensive these days and it's really difficult for some people to see these great musicians.”
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From chefs to hatters and more, hundreds of local vendors took center stage at Outside Lands 2024 in San Francisco.
The festival attracts around 90,000 people from across the Bay Area and beyond to the city each year.
“I think it makes a difference because people are struggling financially right now,” said Hollister resident Heather Nichols. “And so they may not want to spend as much money on entertainment, but it's important for people to connect with each other and enjoy the arts.”
And as the organizer of Outside Lands, the city's largest music festival, Another Planet Entertainment knows what it means for fans to flock to the city.
“This affects hotel rooms, restaurants, Ubers, retail taxes, all that,” said Allen Scott of Another Planet Entertainment.
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“Skrillex” and “Fred Again” sold out a surprise rave party at the San Francisco Civic Center in front of 25,000 people.
Last week, the organization announced that it will host a free concert in September at the Civic Center featuring Grammy-winning rock band Portugal. The Man will take the stage.
This came shortly after a paid rave party at the Civic Center in May that attracted 25,000 people.
Meanwhile, these concertgoers at Stern Grove say they are not surprised that music is helping to breathe new life into the city.
“We were just walking around and having fun. You know, there are families and people of all ages here. It's really the heart of San Francisco in the Bay Area, where people interact with each other and just enjoy music together,” said Oakland resident Kathleen Paulo.
“I think it's really great that these free concerts bring people together and keep them from causing trouble. The whole Bay Area comes together to celebrate,” said San Francisco resident Elicia Bansuelo.
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