With the second annual Presidio Theatre Bliss Festival returning to San Francisco’s national park on August 19 and 20, city residents and music aficionados can enjoy live music in a relaxed atmosphere, surrounded by nature, without breaking the bank.
Unlike so many outdoor music gatherings that strive for superiority Bliss Festival, organized by the boutique music wizards (((folkYEAH!))), carefully matches performers with settings, assisting attendees with accessible ticket prices. Look, Safeway is gouging folks for loaves of bread. All I want is a show that allows me to breathe.
This is in keeping with (((folkYEAH!)))’s general modus operandi. Just look at its upcoming October booking of The Breeders, who will be celebrating the 30th anniversary reissue of their album The Last Splash in the cultural heart of Big Sur, the Henry Miller Memorial Library. Such a fit.
This knack for creating a communal experience with sound, placement, and vision is evident in Presidio Theatre Bliss Festival’s choice of Pearl & The Oysters as headlining artist and lead vibe merchant for this year’s two-day event. Single-day tickets are priced at $25 for adults and $15 for youth, and the lineup includes Bobby Oroza, Nick Pagan, STACEY, San Cha, and LOUDA. Attendees can also enjoy free beer tastings from Fort Point Beer Company and tasty bites from local street cart vendors. This outdoor gathering allows onlookers to tune out the noise, turn up the vibes, and let nature work its calming magic.
We spoke with Nora McDonough, production manager at (((folkYEAH!))) about the Bliss.
48HILLS How does Bliss Festival differ from other music festivals in the city?
NORA MCDONOUGH We work closely with the Presidio Theatre to co-present a two-day event that is affordable to the SF community. It’s a group effort that wouldn’t be possible without everyone involved. We delegate tasks amongst ourselves and that division of tasks lends a hand to keeping the event affordable & exciting.
48HILLS Can you tell us more about how the festival came about, and how you got involved with it? What is the overall vibe and aesthetic of the festival?
NORA MCDONOUGH Last year, the Presidio Theatre reached out to us to help put together a couple of free events in August. This year, they decided to combine the two [spaced-out] days into a weekend event. While we weren’t able to make it free this year, we still wanted to keep it affordable to the community while also offering a curated lineup.
It’s a daytime event that allows patrons and artists to enjoy the sun in beautiful Presidio Park. It’s a cool vibe because as people are leisurely walking through the park, they might hear music and make the decision to join us. That is our hope at least: to have the opportunity to show these talented artists to folks who may not be as exposed to them. Of course, we want their fans to come through as well, but it’s exciting to catch people’s attention that way.
Similar to last year, Presidio Theatre asks local vendors to sell food and beverages at the event. This year, Fort Point will be selling beer and offering tastings for a few hours during the event. Curry Up Now, Bacon, Bacon, Curveball, and Mi Morena will all be selling food to snack on while listening to the music.
48HILLS How was the turnout for last year’s inaugural event?
NORA MCDONOUGH Last year went really well. From the artists to the audience, the vibe overall was really enthusiastic and supportive. We received a lot of feedback asking us to keep it going.
48HILLS Lastly, where do you see the Bliss Festival in a couple of years?
NORA MCDONOUGH We hope to keep it affordable and bring in new, upcoming artists to play in the park. I am looking forward to our vendor list growing and possibly adding in some local artists to sell goods as well. Hopefully, it will become an event that SF adds to their summer plans and looks forward to every year.
PRESIDIO THEATRE BLISS FESTIVAL Sat/19-Sun/20. Presidio Theatre, SF. Tickets and more info here.
