Patti Smith's latest album, "Banga," may well be the only mediocre offering in her otherwise-stellar career. And it won't matter one bit in concert. She could read from the TV listings onstage and the experience would still be transcendent. Thankfully, it shouldn't come to that. Instead, she'll likely draw from the best of her songbook and wow fans with such favorites as "Gloria," "Summer Cannibals" and "People Have the Power." If you can't make the festival, catch Smith on Monday at San Francisco's Fillmore (www.livenation.com.)

Set time: 5-6 p.m. Oct. 7, Towers of Gold Stage

Info:

The 12th annual Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival

When: Noon-7 p.m. Oct. 5, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Oct. 6-7

Where: Hellman Hollow, Lindley and Marx meadows in Golden Gate Park, S.F.

Admission: Free

Details: For a full lineup, set times and other information, visit www.hardlystrictlybluegrass.com

Read Jim Harrington's Concert Blog at http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/category/concerts. Follow him at http://twitter.com/jimthecritic.