San Francisco music fans have enjoyed an abundance of free concerts this summer, and the Summer of Music season comes to a close with a free show from Thundercat. The star bassist and singer glides between the worlds of soul, hip-hop and jazz, and his cheeky humor, anime references and collabs with Kendrick Lamar and Mac Miller have made him a favorite among a huge cross-section of audiences.
Thundercat takes the stage at Golden Gate Park’s Robin Williams Meadow on Oct. 20 for a show that also features veteran soul, R&B and blues singer Lee Fields. Nicknamed “Little JB” for his James Brown-esque dynamism on stage, Fields made his debut in 1969 and recently reintroduced himself to a new generation with a gorgeous Tiny Desk Concert where his honeyed voice shines.
Also joining the lineup is Bay Area cumbia band Combo Tezeta. Dipping into the psychedelic grooves of 1970s Peru, Combo Tezeta writes sunny, laidback original music with a feel-good, danceable vibe.
The Thundercat show isn’t the only free concert coming up in San Francisco. Another free music series, SF Live, has several shows scheduled through November, including a Union Square dance party with South African house music duo GoldFish; electro-pop hitmakers Bag Raiders with rapper Mykki Blanco on Sept. 21; a Leather Pride Fest celebrating San Francisco’s kink community in SoMa on Sept. 22; a Halloween Rock ‘n’ Scream with shoegaze band Die Spitz (and a pet costume contest!) at McLaren Park on Oct. 26.
Thundercat, Lee Fields and Combo Tezeta perform at Golden Gate Park Oct. 20, 12–6 p.m. Free with RSVP.
