‘SF Live’ Lights Up San Francisco's Outdoor Venues with Free Concerts All Summer Long

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: paloma@papalodown.com

A joint initiative by San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development and arts and music producers Illuminate, San Francisco Parks Alliance, Noise Pop, and Union Square Alliance, aim to revitalize city’s nightlife and entertainment sector

San Francisco, CA – April 22, 2024 – San Francisco is renowned for its rich musical heritage, and now, the city is poised to celebrate its vibrant music scene with the launch of SF Live, a dynamic six-month series of free concerts. Presented as a joint initiative by San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) and esteemed arts and music producers Illuminate, San Francisco Parks Alliance, Noise Pop, and Union Square Alliance, SF Live promises to be a highlight of the city's cultural calendar.

From Thursday, April 18, through October 12, 2024, SF Live will transform outdoor music venues across the city into lively hubs of creativity and expression. Concerts will take place at iconic locations such as the Golden Gate Park Bandshell, Jerry Garcia Amphitheater, Union Square Plaza, Civic Center Plaza, Crane Cove Park, Fulton Plaza, and Eagle Plaza, ensuring accessibility for all residents and visitors.

"SF Live is a celebration of San Francisco's storied musical history and its promising local talent," shares Ben VanHouten, Business Development Manager, Nightlife and Entertainment Sector, Office of Economic WorkForce Development. "As we work to rebuild our city's vibrant nightlife, initiatives like SF Live play a crucial role in supporting our artists and bringing our communities together."

Each concert offers a diverse lineup of artists, ranging from rising indie bands to well-established jazz ensembles and high-energy pop acts. Attendees can expect a unique and dynamic concert experience that showcases the breadth and depth of San Francisco's musical talent. 

SF Live concerts are more than just musical events; they're a testament to the spirit of San Francisco. Curated by organizers from historic music venues across the city including:

Mr. Tipple’s, The Great Northern, Monarch, Madrone Art Bar, Bottom of the Hill, El Rio, Neck of the Woods, Great American Music Hall, Rickshaw Stop, The EndUp, Pandora Karaoke, Kilowatt, Cafe Du Nord, The Chapel, The Eagle.

“The SF Live project has been a bright spot for Bottom of the Hill this year. It allowed me to book a headlining band I've always wanted to book but was too big for my venue. Partnering with Illuminate, who knows the ins and outs of putting on larger productions in outdoor spaces, has allowed us to focus on the fun stuff! And knowing we're providing this programming to the general public for free is a really great feeling!” shares, Lynn Schwarz, owner of Bottom of the Hill. “This program is a gem that emerged from the darkness of the COVID era, and can get our name out to people who might not be familiar with us, as well as help turn SF into a real music city again.”

“SF Live is an important project that is helping San Francisco reignite and expand our outdoor spaces through making live music more accessible to the community. This initiative is a vital opportunity for local independent venues and artists to connect with larger audiences, so that we can help boost our businesses, musical careers, community organizing efforts, and to showcase how important music means to San Francisco culture.” shares Tyla Jones, Booking & Marketing coordinator, El Rio. “The process so far for El Rio with SF Live has been really amazing and it's empowering as a music curator to be given creative agency to organize a free outdoor concert at this level in the SF Bay Area.”

Supported by Mayor London N. Breed, SF Live is part of a comprehensive effort to revitalize the local nightlife and entertainment sector. Thanks to a $2.5 million investment from the California State Legislature, spearheaded by former Assemblymember and current City Attorney David Chiu, SF Live is set to make a significant impact on the city's cultural landscape.

To stay updated on SF Live events and performances, visit www.sflivefest.com and follow @sflivefest on Instagram.

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About SF Live:

SF Live is a six-month series of free, outdoor music concerts put on as a joint, citywide initiative by esteemed San Francisco arts & music producers Illuminate, San Francisco Parks Alliance, Noise Pop Productions, and Union Square Alliance. Created as a love letter to San Francisco music, SF Live concerts are a coming together of San Francisco’s storied musical history and the city’s promising and developing local talent. For more information, visit www.sflivefest.com.