Chicano Batman captivated a capacity crowd on Sunday during the second weekend of the free Stern Grove Festival in San Francisco.  

The Latin Indie rock band from Los Angeles exuded cool with a high energy, headlining performance. Funky soul beats among the towering eucalyptus trees and lush green of Stern Grove induced a psychedelic aura.  

For decades on summer weekends, the Stern Grove Festival, which bills itself as the country’s longest nonprofit music festival, presents free concerts in the natural amphitheater at Sigmund Stern Grove at 19th Avenue and Sloat Boulevard in the Sunset. 

“One thing that really stuck out to me was the setup. I was just amazed by the nature. You look up and there’s a hawk flying by,” said Robert Wool, a regular Stern Grove attendee. “You don’t really get that type of concert venue anywhere else.” 

Chicano Batman energized the younger crowd and established a lively atmosphere. With the rare sunny weather and Pride weekend happening simultaneously, vibes were positive all around, Wool said.   

Chicano Batman played mostly from the 2024 album “Notebook Fantasy” on Sunday in Stern Grove. (Courtesy Stern Grove)

The band played mostly from its latest album “Notebook Fantasy,” released in March, led by dynamic singer-keyboardist Bardo Martinez. The set ended with the hit “Black Lipstick” before the group returned to the stage for an encore of “Black Lipstick” with the crowd erupting in thunderous cheer. 

After the electrifying set, “El Sonidito” by Hechizeros Band, an upbeat dance tune often played at Latinx parties and celebrations, blasted throughout the grove.    

The San Francisco Symphony, pictured at Stern Grove in 2023, makes its annual appearance at the popular free music fest on July 8 this year. (Courtesy Stern Grove)

Upcoming headliners at Stern Grove: The San Francisco Symphony makes its annual appearance on July 8, followed by The Commodores on July 14, Masego on July 21, Frank Moody and Drama on July 28, Alex G. on Aug. 4, Herbie Hancock on Aug. 11 and Lucinda Williams on Aug. 18. The season closes with Big Picnic fundraisers featuring Sylvan Esso and Poolside on Aug. 24 and Chaka Khan and Steel Pulse on Aug. 25.  

 “It’s a really good thing for a city like San Francisco to have free concerts like this,” Wool said.  

The Stern Grove Festival continues at 2 p.m. Sundays through Aug. 25 at Sloat Boulevard and 19th Avenue, San Francisco. Admission is free, but online reservations are required. To reserve, visit sterngrove.org/plan exactly one month before each show.  To pay for preferred VIP seating at tables, visit sterngrove.org/reserve-a-table. 

Alise is a general assignment reporter with a focus on covering government, elections, housing, crime, courts and entertainment in San Francisco and on the Peninsula. Alise is a Bay Area native from San Carlos. She studied history at University of California, Santa Cruz and first started journalism at Skyline College’s school newspaper in San Bruno. She has interned for Bay City News and for Eesti Rahvusringhääling, or Estonian Public Broadcasting. She has covered everything from the removal of former San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus to the divisive battle over the Great Highway on San Francisco’s west side. Please send her any tips.