Chaka Khan performs during Stern Grove Festival at Sigmund Stern Grove in San Francisco on Aug. 25, 2024. Matt Pang/STAFF.

SAN FRANCISCO — The legendary Chaka Khan closed out the 87th Stern Grove Festival on Sunday afternoon, on the second of back to back Big Picnic fundraiser concerts for the producers of the free summer concert series. It felt like all of the Bay Area showed up for the party, packing the meadow all the way up to the eucalyptus-filled hills.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee hit the stage looking fit and spry, all in black with fringed leather pants and her waist-length burgundy locks flowing. She was joined by a band and three backup singers, rolling right into “Do You Love What You Feel,” from Masterjam—the 1979 album by her band Rufus, which launched her career—instantly bringing attendees to their feet.

Khan sang iconic parts of her repertoire, at times taking turns with the backup singers.

“I haven’t been here in a long time. It’s good to be back,” she said with a beaming smile. “You look beautiful.”

Chaka Khan performs during Stern Grove Festival at Sigmund Stern Grove in San Francisco on Aug. 25, 2024.

She glanced to her guitarist at the side, who took the cue and began singing into a talkbox. “How ya doin’ tonight, San Francisco?” This led to a quick rendition of ZAPP’s,”More Bounce to the Ounce,” before leading into 50-year-old Rufus hit “Tell Me Something Good.”

Though Khan struggled in the past with health and drug overuse, which took a toll on her voice, it was apparent that she’s now in good health and at the top of her game. She danced and smiled throughout, and her unmistakable voice sounded clear as day. The audience was grooving, dancing and singing along like it was 1975 rather than 2024.

Without pause, it was on to the next song, “You Got the Love,” from 1975’s Rags to Riches. Chaka Khan danced with the band and grooved to the music.

After slowing it down and taking a seat to sing a ballad, she revved it right back up with the funky song Prince penned for her in the ’80s, “I Feel For You.” Scatting, her multi-octave voice hit the high soprano register as easily as the lower alto notes. She continued intermixing old Rufus tunes with her own stuff and throwing in a cover or two as well.

Chaka Khan’s band performs during Stern Grove Festival at Sigmund Stern Grove in San Francisco on Aug. 25, 2024.

During the vocal-heavy “Stay,” she let her backing vocalists shine as they hit the harmonies in the chorus. The band followed with “Sweet Thing,” switching up the rhythm to a reggae-style beat on the verses and back to the classic version on the chorus. Then Khan slowed it down with “Through the Fire,” which also showed off her higher register.

After taking a short break, she came back for an encore, starting with covers of Frank Sinatra’s “My Funny Valentine” and Fleetwood Mac’s “Everywhere,” before ending on a high note with “I’m Every Woman,” calling out to the ladies in the audience to sing with her.

She left to a standing ovation, before quickly returning.

Steel Pulse performs during Stern Grove Festival at Sigmund Stern Grove in San Francisco on Aug. 25, 2024.

“Did somebody say, one more song?” she asked, before finishing off—for real, this time—with “Ain’t Nobody.”

Roots and reggae band Steel Pulse opened the show, switching between instruments to singing. Dressed all in white, the band moved in unison, grooving to songs like “Babylon Makes The Rules” and “Steppin’ Out.” Between songs, the group called for an end of prejudice and oppression.

The concert started with San Francisco 49er legend Ronnie Lott vigorously ringing the heritage bell. For the first time in its 87 years, the Stern Grove Festival included a double dose of season-ending Big Picnic concerts. The day prior, Sylvan Esso and Poolside performances at Sigmund Stern Grove.

Follow photographer Matt Pang at Twitter.com/mattpangs.