This is the year that cements Warren Hellman, creator and soul behind the free Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival, as the coolest septuagenarian in the land. Coming to Golden Gate Park for three days–September 30 through October 2–the 2011 lineup, just announced today, is stunningly, mind-bogglingly awesome. On a side note: Buckethead is performing. The weirdest addition to HSB's lineup in years? Quite possibly. Here are the highlights (both big and small) you'll find us clawing our way to the front of the crowd for.....and there's still more to be announced!

Thurston Moore

Kurt Vile & the Violators

Kris Kristofferson & Merle Haggard

Robert Plant & the Band of Joy

Woods

M. Ward

Jessica Lea Mayfield

Cass McCombs

John Prine

Broken Social Scene

Bob Mould

Those Darlins

Ralph Stanley & His Clinch Mountain Boys

Dr. John & the Lower 911

Emmylou Harris

Jolie Holland

Blind Boys of Alabama

Earl Scruggs

Steve Earle (plus his son Justin Townes Earle!)

The Low Anthem

There's still morehere.