Fans of folk, bluegrass, soul — and live musical excellence in general — have plenty to look forward to at the Mill Valley Music Festival, just 20 minutes north of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Now in its third year, the festival running May 11 and 12 at Friends Field features Fleet Foxes as Saturday’s headliner. The Seattle indie folk band, going strong since the late 2000s, most recently earned acclaim with their 2020 album Shore, which perfects the group’s signature vocal harmonies and spiritually uplifting lyrical approach. Sunday’s headliner, Greensky Bluegrass, bring high-energy, foot-stomping Americana from Michigan. (The band’s live sets are also known for their epic light show.)
Another lineup highlight is Danielle Ponder, whose chill-inducing vocals soar over propulsive, R&B-meets-indie-rock instrumentals. Several acts offer modern takes on classic soul music, including Thee Sacred Souls, St. Paul and the Broken Bones, Eric Lindell and Elliott Peck (the latter two of whom are Bay Area locals). Other lineup additions include country singer-songwriter Margo Price, indie-folk band Fruit Bats and the Rebirth Brass Band, which has been holding down the New Orleans scene since 1983.
The two-day event, jointly produced by the Mill Valley Chamber of Commerce and Noise Pop, takes place in its namesake town of Mill Valley at the foot of glorious Mt. Tamalpais. The festival includes food, artist vendors and a local music stage curated by the Sweetwater Music Hall. Shuttles from San Francisco and Oakland are available.
