Alice’s Summerthing

Kelly Clarkson, Matt Nathanson, and Rachel Platten performed this year at Alice’s Summerthing. My sister and I waited in line for 1.5 hours. Although we weren’t first in line, we got a pretty good spot right near the front of the stage. A lot of people decided to sit on the hill located in the back.
I almost didn’t go because I heard there was pushing and shoving. In reality, that didn’t happen at all. People were pretty respectful most of the time excect near the end when Kelly performed. A group of teenagers came out of nowhere and decided to stand right in front of my sister and me. That really annoyed us because we had a difficult time taking pictures. We didn’t want to start a fight with them so we didn’t say anything.
Tip: Put sunblock on your neck in addition to your face. I forgot my neck and was badly burned!
Bring a large blanket to reserve your «spot» so no one can jack your spot when the good people perform.

What’s not to love about a free concert in Golden Gate Park with awesome music artists?! I’ve been coming to Alice’s Summerthing off and on since they first started, probably around a decade ago. I’ve always had a great time and have never had any problems getting in or with security when I come early or late. This year was so much fun and they had a fantastic lineup! Kelly Clarkson, Mat Kearny, Rachel Platten, and Elle King! They were all awesome performers! One of the best years ever!
There really is something fun for everyone… live music, food booths, food trucks, booths to win prizes, a tattoo lounge, photo booth station, and various businesses sampling out their products. This year they had Peet’s coffee sampling their new javiva blend (like a frappucino) and KIND sampling new healthy snack bars. Also, you can spin the wheel and win prizes from Alice 97.3 and Metro PCS. Every year they have new booths from new sponsors. Regardless, it’s a fantastic time for people of all ages. You are allowed to bring food, but there are some restrictions for coolers, glass bottles, cans, etc. Come early with a blanket or towel and snag a great spot on the lawn. It gets super crowded.
Possible negatives — With so many people, the lines to order food or visit booths can get long. Also, with each performer, I only wish their set was longer. It seemed to go so quick! They were all such great performers that I didn’t want it to end. Lastly, it can be really hard to find parking.
It’s always exciting when Alice 97.3 first announces the lineup for the year’s concert. Every year, it’s around the last Sunday in June in Sharon Meadows in Golden Gate Park, approximately 12pm-4:30pm. This is a great, relaxing, fun outdoor activity with awesome live music! So grateful that Alice 97.3 puts on this fantastic free concert for all us music lovers!

Had a great time with the family! Including my 83 year old mother who’s in a wheelchair. .great handicap access. and props to security monitoring the handicap potty :) .looking forward to next time!

I didn’t think it was possible to get sunburned in SF. After Alice’s Summerthing, i now know you have to apply sunscreen to every outdoor gig you go to, even if the weather is in the low 70s.
All the other Unilocalers can vouch for getting there early (which i strongly suggest) to get good lawn seats, but i’m going to tell advise you readers to BRING SUNSCREEN and pack a lunch to save money. A random lady also told my friend she couldn’t bring her Nikon into Golden Gate, but if you shove your recording devices into the bottom of your backpack security honestly doesn’t care.
Magic!, Ingrid Michaelson, and Us were pretty amazing live, and i’ll be sure to come again next year for great music and awesome company, all for free.

Loved Alice’s Summerthing this year. I got there a little bit late but managed to get pretty close to the stage during Ingrid Michaelson and Magic’s set.
The only thing I didn’t really enjoy was the lines to get alcohol/​food. There weren’t a lot of my favorite trucks there (ie: koja kitchen, senior sisig, blue Saigon, other Off the Grid trucks) so myself (and it seems as though a lot of others) settled for whatever was the shortest line, and yet we still managed waiting at least 30 minutes to get food.
The experience was great though– the area, the music, the people were all great. But if you’re like me… food is everything!

Alice always has great artists come and perform. I went last year solely for Ed Sheeran — even though he was running really late and it started to rain, it was WELL WORTH IT.
This year… Magic!, Kodaline, Us the Duo, and Ingrid Michaelson performed — all of whom I am a bigggg fan — and it was so freaking awesome!
Tip: Get there at least 2 hours early to wait in line. It gets really LONG. And if you don’t plan on standing all day, bring a picnic blanket! Also, avoid driving. It’s super easy getting there (Sharon Meadow in Golden Gate Park) via public transportation and it saves you the headache of looking for parking.

So so crowded! The lines for the port-​a-​potties and food trucks were ridiculous. Meanwhile, there were at most 3 people in line for the toilets at Chipotle Cultivate.
Only came for the second half of the festival. Ingrid was great! I really don’t understand why she went on before MAGIC! Strange planning on Alice’s part, considering MAGIC! hasnt even released an album yet. Like they literally just have that one song that everyone waited for. Wish the sets were longer than 30 – 40 minutes, but was glad the music ended at 3:55, so I could get over to watch the end of the USAvsPOR game. Thanks, I guess.

As everyone else states, «Get here early!»
My girlfriend was able to score four VIP tickets to Alice’s Summerthing 2014. On the tickets it states that they recommend parking in St Mary’s Hospital’s parking lot. So I get there ’round 1015 and notice a sign that says «No Event Parking.» I drive on a little and rethink the parking (mind you, still in the middle of the street). I back up a few feet and pull into the driveway. At that moment there wasn’t any security so I park and start my walk up to street level since I have absolutely no service on my cell phone and as I’m walking out, a car of four young girls pull up and a security guy asks them what they were there for. They dropped the bomb saying for Alice’s Summerthing and the security guard was like NOPE! I’m walking away like… Holy shit! I’m lucky I got here early. I call my girlfriend and tell her what was going on at the parking garage… So she pulls in, gives the guard some bogus story of meeting her grandma or some shit and he allows her to park. I’m hiding behind a pillar and she’s walking towards the main entrance to make her story believable and we’re looking at each other like… How the fuck do we get outta here?!! We managed to sneak out (crisis averted) and were on our way to the park.
Park was FILLED with people waiting inline to get in. We waited near the entrance for my friend’s sister and her +1 and we noticed people cutting the line like it was nothing and getting in faster (wish I had balls to pull that shit off). Upon entrance, security checked all bags made people either finish their opened drinks or throw them away. I guess the rules were no food or drinks that are opened. However, if the containers or bags were still sealed, you were good to go.
People brought their dogs and blankets. By the time the concert was about to starts, the hill if fucking full of people and more crammed up front. VIP had a little seating area with free food and drinks, so we rarely left the area. I noticed homeless people walking around trying to sell some shit and nearly harassing some young girl to buy ear rings, so be careful.
OMG OMG OMG… There was this cop (pls don’t tell my fiancé)… FUCKING HOT. Tall, tanned, built… Oh My GOD! All the woman was drooling over him (including me!) I tell you… I’d break every law for that man to shake me down… HAHA!
So anyway, concert was a success. Wish they were more organized with parking… LOVED THE HOT COP. Oh yea… and the free music.

How can you not like a free concert with some legit bands? I have been to the Alice’s Summerthing for a few years when Michelle Branch was playing two years ago and also when Ed Sheeran, Sara Bareilles played this year. They changed the location to Sharon Meadow which is way smaller and closed off so you cant really sneak in from the back (TWSS). Here are the tips of trips when you go to this concert.
I have taken public transportation to this event and driven. Avoid pub transportation like the plague because from San Jose to Golden Gate Park would require you to drive to bart/​Caltrain, Muni, and walk to the park. It gets super crowded and the likelihood of getting lost or taking the wrong transportation can happen. Well I suck at directions so maybe it is just me. When the concert ends at 5pm, you are tired and you do not feel like taking a 40 minute Muni ride then another hour bart ride then driving 30 minutes to go home. During all of that, you are in tight spaces and tired. If you drive, parking is very difficult at 11am. I am warning you. I was lucky to find ONE spot after circling for 15 minutes but I did it! If you want to secure a close spot for parking and when getting in line, then get in line by 9:30am. Parking should be a breeze. If not, park at the hospital nearby like my friend did.
The concert starts at noon (ends at 5pm) but doors open at 11am. I am almost certain the line forms around 8am especially with such a huge lineup. I arrived around 11:15am and the line literally extended and wrapped past the tennis courts for over 2 miles. This is not an exaggeration. I just so happen to pass by my friend who got in line at 9:30am and we were probably in the front of the pack (possibly within 150 people). Once they started to let people in, we were inside and parking our asses and blankets down at around 11:30am or so. If you want to get a good spot on the grass in the first section of the grass and not the hill in the back, then you have to get here at 9:30am. If I had not cut in front of my friend, I would have been waiting in line waiting to get inside for 1.5−2 hours. Even when the concert had started and it was around 2pm, I still saw that long line trying to get in. It is not a joke. I think that it reached maximum capacity at 2−3pm so we could not get in. It was raining that day so it was really bummy.
Definitely bring hella blankets to sit on and snacks for a great picnic. I came with a decent sized group so we picked up some Vietnamese sandwiches and I packed some fruit and light snacks. They do not allow alcohol so during the bag check, they made you discard it. They have food trucks and beer there as well if you are too lazy to pack. There are also booths where you can win free stuff but obvs they are super packed. They had free coconut juice which was cool and you could win sunglasses! Thank goodness my friend was good at throwing a beanbag because I couldnt win shiz.
I would say the best place to place your blanket is toward the back of the front section. There is the lawn area directly in front of the stage and the second section where the hill is. The hill is obvs too far but the front section is awesome. If you plan on sitting and not standing, then you should set up in the second half of the flat area. The first ¼ of that area are for the diehard fans who stand up the entire time and do not have any blankets or seating. The speakers are loud if you are up for it and you can squeeze your way to the stage. I was sitting in the second half and it was perfect. Obviously when the big acts come on, everyoneee is standing so you cant really sit down while they perform if you want to see the performers. There is set up in between so you can just linger and sunbathe if the weather permits.
**TIPS**
1) The concert is in the summer so it should have been warm. If it is, BRING AND WEAR IT or else you will burn like I did for Now and Zen. For the summer concert, it was rainy and disgusting so SF weather may troll you.
2) Bring hella blankets and food for everyone to enjoy :)
3) If you are down to take public transportation for 2 hours in cramped areas, go right ahead. If not, arrive at 9:30am and you will most likely be able to find parking and a great spot in line.
4) Enjoy!

How is is possible for you to give any bad reviews for a FREE concert in the park. Even if you had to wait in line, it’s still worth the entertainment and just spending time with friends. I come there almost every year, but this year there was actually a line, mainly for security, which you can’t blame them with all the recent events in this world. Coming to this concert every year is like a gamble, you never know if you hit the jackpot and discover that it’s actually going to be sunny. No matter what remember that the weather in sf changes instantly, so dress in layers. Thanks Alice for providing us with such great entertainment!

Free concert with Sara Bareilles + Ed Sheeran + Ginny Blackmore? How can you say no?
However, with 15,000 people with the same mindset, things can get pretty crazy.
Some info and advice for the event:
*Plan to get there at least TWO hours early to be safe! Take into account traffic, walking distance, waiting in line. They stopped letting people in after 1pm ish?
*Check the weather in advance and dress for it
*Sunny weather: sunscreen, sunglasses, towel to sit down, water
*Cold/​rainy weather: umbrella, sunglasses (block the rain), rain jackets
*Free giveaways such as chapsticks, sunscreen, and coconut water
*Free massages since you’re gonna be standing for a damn long time
*Several food trucks and stands when you walk in!
*Porta-​potties on the left side, make sure you bring hand sanitizer!
*Parking ideas: Try parking around Stow Park. It’s free and it’s just a 20 minute walk. You can also try UCSF or St. Mary’s. Mark your car location with your phone because you might forget like I did!
*Food/​Drinks: If you want to be frugal, bring your own food/​drinks. Water costs around $ 3, and the food trucks are pricey.
*If you failed to come in on time, you can see/​hear the concert just outside the gate! Just explore around the area.
My friends and I arrived around 11:30am, and waited in a half-​a-​mile line for about 1.5 hours. Yes it’s THAT long! It reached the CA Academy of Sciences, so be prepared to wait. Don’t even bother trying to be an asshole and cut up in the front because the security will kick you out!!! They DO a bag check, but all they really do it touch it… not really check what’s inside…
We barely ate breakfast, so we decided to try several of the food trucks there, take advantage of the freebies, and tried to empty our bowels as much as possible before we dove into the massive crowd. By this time, it was about 1pm, so it was already really packed.
We really wanted to be in the front, so we tried going there from the side. It made it easier to pass the crowds, and eventually, we were able to get a nice small spot towards the front. Before the major headliners were playing, some of my friends had to use the restroom, and we never saw them until the end. So make sure you empty your bowel, bring a bottle to pee in (i’m kidding), or just suck it up and hold it in.
Overall, I really enjoyed the concert. The first band, Finish Ticket, was just okay. Ginny Blackmore has such a powerful and amazing voice, and she’s the most adorable performer I’ve ever seen! Sara Bareilles actually sounds better live than in a recording… and I can’t say that for a lot of people. Ed Sheeran was 2 hours late due to flight delays, so he did an acoustic version. He didn’t talk much and performed a bit faster because of the time constraint, but he was still so good. He even broke a guitar string, and still sounded amazing. Totally worth the wait.
One downside to being in the front is that you have to deal with the crazy fan-​girls/​boys, so brace yourself for that. Expect loud ear-​piercing screams, a lot of shoving and pushing, awkward shouts of their love for them and how they want to have their babies.
Thank you Alice’s Summerthing for a wonderful event!

Oh the linesanity!
The line for this event was craaaaaazy! Thankfully members of my crew were able to… umm… «shorten» our wait.
(Don’t hate we did what we had to do.)
Anyway the 2013 line up for Summerthing was Finish Ticket, Ginny Blackmore, Sarah Bareilles and Ed Sheeran. I have to say every performer was absolutely awesome! Finish Ticket (from Alameda) reminded me a lot of Young The Giant, a band I absolutely love.
Ginny Blackmore (from New Zealand) has a beautiful and powerful voice. The same can be said of Sarah Bareilles who is one of those rare voices that sounds studio quality even in the middle of a meadow in the rain! The real highlight was Ed Sheeran, who just barely made it to the the concert. He was worth waiting in the rain for. he had to perform acoustic because the rest of his equipment was still at the airport. He didn’t talk to much because he really wanted the fans to hear as many songs as possible with the limited time he had. So awesome! He is so talented by the last song he was playing with a broken string and you couldn’t tell the difference! Ed Sheeran is a total G!
I don’t know if I’ll brave summerthing again but I am now a lifetime Ed Sheeran fan:)

I was at Sharon Meadow, Golden Gate Park for the Alice’s «Summerthing» Free Concert at the Park June 23, 2013 Sunday.
Performers:
Ed Sheeran
Sara Bareilles
Ginny Blackmore
Note: The crappy weather (despite it was June) was not reason I gave this place 3 stars. I still had fun despite the constant sprinkle of rain hitting me for 5 hours+.
Got in line 11:45a.m. when the concert was suppose to start at noon. The line’s end was the front entrance to the National Academy of Sciences. I had no idea there would be so many people. This was my first time.

Wait time in line 2 hours — I stuck it out. While waiting we passed 2 hot dog tents. (Hot dogs were rather salty).
Finally getting to the fenced area, they checked your bags. To the right were very few vendors that sold everything from Garlic Fries to opening a loan account with a bank to a free massage.
To the left were porta-​potties lined up.
Everywhere had a line.
There was an upper grass area to set your tarp/​seat down, but the stage was rather far away.
Squeezed my way in to as close as I could to the stage. Ended up stuck there for 4 hours.
Performers were great, and made the work just to be here worth it. The last act was very late because of his flight. (Yes I stuck it out). He was quickly rushed and my friends and I wonder if there was a time limit as to how long Alice 97.3 can hold this area free.
The area was indeed big enough to hold all those who came.
This park is definitely near Lincoln and 9^th. There is a huge playground for kids and a carousel.
It is near the Botanic gardens, and just walking distance to the National Academy of Sciences and De Young. A walk aways in the opposite direction, there is a baseball field.
The 3 stars is given because pretty much what else Sharon Meadows used for other than to hold this kind of concert.

I love Summerthing.
2011 was rocking with One Republic, Matt Nathanson, Andrew Allen, Parachute and Michelle Branch. There were lots of vendors giving away free stuff (tote bags and pop chips and etc).
2012 was a bit off with its band selection. Adam Lambert as your headliner? horrible. I only recognized like 1 – 2 of his songs and the rest of the lineup was so-​so with a couple one hit bands. Also, where were the free sponsor vendors? no where to be seen.
They could also do a better job of setting up a only– Pedestrian pathway (across the park), where people could walk and not step on other people as they walk through feet, fingers, food and pets.
so Alice, please bring back a major headliner for 2013. If you are short on a budget, I am sure the other 15,000 audience members and I would pay $ 5 each for Train or Rob Thomas/​MB20.

I attended Summerthing almost exactly a year ago. It was on Ryan Tedder’s birthday, June 26^th, and he came out to perform. Aside from him and One Republic, Andrew Allen, Michelle Branch, Matt Nathanson, and Parachute came out, too. It’s a legit concert, and people are just relaxing on the grass picnic style. It’s great and no drama, thank goodness! It wasn’t super hot but everyone got sunburnt. I’m so glad they’re having holding another one this year. It’s a good way to see the artists you love, and also open yourself up to new music if you haven’t heard of them already :). Thanks, Alice!

Came here for the 2011 concert. It was a blast to get to see so many people enjoying the sounds of Parachute, One Republic, and Matt Nathanson. The venue was nice, and it was a beautiful day out. The only drawbacks were that since it was a free event, parking was a headache (we parked elsewhere and took the muni), and even going with the muni option took forever since the muni was so crowded. The food, atmosphere, and beer selection was great. Also, the logistics were okay. There were no significant overcrowding issues.

Free concert? I’m down!
The 2011 concert featured One Republic, Matt Nathanson, Parachute, Michelle Branch, and Andrew Allen. I was mostly here for Michelle Branch though. Brings back old memories.
This event was somewhat of a nightmare for me. Trying to find parking was crazy and it didn’t help that the gay parade was going on the same day. We ended up parking outside the park on Fullton and 15^th. Then it was a 15 minute hike/​walk to the area.
Super crowded! There were just so many people. I think there could’ve been more organization. Just trying to walk around this place was horrible. Like if I wanted to get up and go pee or go grab a bit or check out some of the freebie booths.
Ehh, I don’t know if I’d go again. They would have to have someone spectacular. Definitely need to bring a blanket and more food next time.

One Republic, Matt Nathanson, Michelle Branch, and Parachute! Sounded like a pretty awesome lineup for a relaxing Sunday afternoon in the park, so I made plans with a friend to meet up. Getting to the park wasn’t a problem for me since I came from the area by CCSF, but my friend had a heck of a time getting from her place by AT&T Park to GG Park. It was just bad timing that Pride happened the same weekend as this concert because everyone I talked to had trouble getting to the park!
I arrived at around 11:30am and the crowds had already set up camp. I made a quick stop to the port-​a-​potties since there wasn’t a line. Once I came out though, the temporary sinks weren’t working! Luckily, there was a demo booth for some new organic soap products or something. I didn’t pay much attention, but I had a place to wash my hands and I got a free sample while I was at it. There were a few food trucks set up that I’ve heard of (Seuol on Wheels) and a couple other food booths (It’s-It). There were also places giving out freebies like Mott’s Apple Juice and some water with added electrolytes (great to rehydrate from the night before!). They gave out those cheap drawstring backpacks and samples. There was also a truck from the Monterey Bay Aquarium that had an interactive thing where you could control a diver on the large screen from your smart phone (pretty cool!). If you won, they had some pretty neat prizes. There was also a 21+ zone if you wanted to purchase alcohol.
Seating was hard to find and after wandering up to the front to no avail, I went back about ¾ of the way to the end and plopped down near the edge. By the time my friend made her way over, I was about 5 people away from the edge because the crowd had expanded. We couldn’t really see anything, but there were speakers set up so everyone could hear the live music. All the artists were really good, and to be honest, when I’m that far away, I tend to treat it like background music. I enjoyed the ambiance and the sunshine as I played catch-​up with my friend.
We tried to get food a couple hours into the concert, but the lines had just doubled from when I originally got there and we decided it wasn’t worth it. Instead, we munched on some samples of prunes and PopChips. My friend had to leave before One Republic and I wanted to beat the crowd, so we headed out at about 3pm.
I love free events like this and I think it was pretty well organized. I would suggest more bathrooms and more food vendors though since it seemed like the lines were really long all the time.

5 Stars for
— FREE
— One Republic
— Matt Nathanson
— Parachute
— Michelle Branch
— Andrew Allen
— Nice Sunday in Golden Gate Park
— Yummy food trucks
1 Star for
— All the people who show up after the show started and expects to sit/​stand in the front
— Annoying people who tries to invade your blanket space
— The portal potties are really far away

Free concert? Always awesome!
Beautiful sunny weather? Even better!
Freebies? I’m so there!
Bubble machines? Me likey lots!
Sugar Ray? Oh, the memories!
Matt Nathanson? Cracked me up like no other!
Hanging out with friends? Always fun!
Major sunburns? Still hurting =(
Love this concert!