San Francisco Mayor London Breed cuts a ceremonial red ribbon on the official return of concerts on the first day of the 84th annual Stern Grove Festival at Sigmund Stern Grove Park in San Francisco on June 20, 2021. Courtesy: Paige K. Parsons. Other photos: Roman Gokhman/STAFF.

SAN FRANCISCO — Concerts officially returned to the Bay Area on Sunday with the kick-off of the annual Stern Grove Festival, now in its 84th year. Headlined by Oakland Grammy-winning artist Ledisi and performances by fellow locals The Seshen and La Doña, the afternoon was full of feelings of freedom and levity, obvious in both the performers’ and 3,000-strong crowd’s energy.

San Francisco Mayor London Breed spoke ahead of the performance, thanking the city’s residents for their resilience through the last 15 months.

“Y’all better get up and party like you’ve been locked up for 15 months,” said Breed, calling the concert series the kickoff of San Francisco’s “eternally gray summer.” “It’s the new roaring ’20s, ya’ll!”

Attendees on the first day of the 84th annual Stern Grove Festival at Sigmund Stern Grove Park in San Francisco on June 20, 2021. Roman Gokhman/STAFF and courtesy.

Breed also acknowledged her status as an “O.G. Ledisi fan” and spoke of waiting at packed, sweaty Café du Nord shows for the soul singer. Moments later, she cut a big red ribbon, officially commencing the concert series.

The day also included addresses by the likes of Stern Grove Festival Chairman Matthew W. Goldman, the fifth in his family to hold the position.

Despite capacity being much lower than previous years, the energy was apparent. The Sunday concert is likely to be the only one with such a small capacity. With most COVID-19 restrictions officially gone, there’s nothing stopping the concerts with resuming concerts with many more attendees.

The mostly unmasked crowd seemed ready to be back together, moving and singing to the music. People danced in the aisles and on their blankets long before any singers took the stage. Though most attendees were maskless, a few kept them on, either for peace of mind or, like one woman remarked to a friend, “Because it’s the best way to cover up the smell in those bathrooms.”

Attendees dance on the first day of the 84th annual Stern Grove Festival at Sigmund Stern Grove Park in San Francisco on June 20, 2021.

The show was also live-streamed for the first time to give attendees not able to snag one of the 3,000 passes to attend in person.

“It feels more intimate and more joyous, people are so happy to be out and be here,” said Adore Davidson of San Francisco, who said she tries to come to the concerts yearly. Her last concert was pushing two years ago, and she said she sat in almost the same spot, with the same group of friends.

Attendees ate picnics, drank wine, and carried on loud conversations with each other and those around them. Hugging was encouraged by speakers on stage, and other than workers, mask-wearing was virtually nonexistent.

“I want San Francisco to come back and I think that coming out here is important, regardless of any anxiety that you would have,” said Patricia Zurkan, of San Francisco. “I think it’s important as a community to do it together, you have to just show up.”

Attendees on the first day of the 84th annual Stern Grove Festival at Sigmund Stern Grove Park in San Francisco on June 20, 2021.

Zurkan said she chose to keep her mask on, but because of COVID-19 fears but rather allergies.

Ledisi sang her 2021 Grammy-winning “Anything For You” and a few Nina Simone covers, including “Feeling Good.” La Doña wished her father (who played the trumpet behind her) a Happy Father’s Day. All of the acts acknowledged the significance of Juneteenth becoming a federal holiday. In between acts, DJ LadyRyan played a mix of Afro-pop and R&B.

“Whoever comes up on that stage we’re going to enjoy, but were here to see Ledisi,” said Alana Smith, who came to the concert with her twin sister. She said the two have been coming to Stern Grove Festival for nearly a decade and couldn’t wait to sit under the grove’s redwood and eucalyptus trees.

The planning for the festival didn’t begin in earnest until mid-May, speakers said. More concerts are planned every Sunday fthrough the end of August. Acts include the San Francisco Symphony, Joan Jett and Fitz & the Tantrums. Shows are still free, but for the time being, passes still have to be reserved at the festival’s website. Producers will continue monitoring state and national COVID-19 safety precautions.

Follow Domenic Strazzabosco at Twitter.com/domenicstrazz and Instagram.com/domenicstrazz.