Library’s music streaming platform, featuring local artists, launches to the public Launch Party Concert in Civic Center October 28, 11 a.m.—4:30 p.m.

San Francisco – Attention, Bay Area: Listen up for a brand new beat! Bay Beats, a free music streaming platform offered by San Francisco Public Library (SFPL), goes live on Saturday, October 28. After a hugely successful open call for submissions, albums from more than 100 top-rated solo musicians and bands from popular genres—jazz to soul, rap to rock, classical to world—will be available for anyone to listen, with or without a library card.

“We’re thrilled to launch Bay Beats, which supports artists, many whose livelihoods have been significantly affected by the pandemic. Through this platform, musicians can expand their audiences by the thousands and showcase their art for our community's enjoyment,” says Michael Lambert, City Librarian.

SFPL received just over 600 submissions from artists when it put out its call for music earlier this spring. While more than a dozen other U.S. and Canadian public library systems—including Nashville, New Orleans, Austin and Seattle—have also adopted the music streaming software by startup Rabble, San Francisco carries the distinction of having doubled the number of submissions previously received by a library system. Musicians from all nine Bay Area counties uploaded tracks for consideration.

“For anyone wondering whether we’ve still got it, I can personally assure you that the music scene in San Francisco and beyond is alive and well,” says librarian Brian Weaver, who led the launch effort. “The talent we saw from the submissions round was phenomenal and it was a real challenge to be able to select only 100 albums. To say we’re excited to launch Bay Beats is an understatement—we can’t wait for everyone to discover bands and artists they’ve never heard before.”

To celebrate the big news, SFPL is throwing a launch party featuring six Bay Beats artists and bands. Musicians will perform a 30-40 minute set. The lineup includes children’s musician Alison Faith Levy; honkytonk, rockabilly and country favorite Nashville Honeymoon; hip hop artist UnLearn the World; jazzy neo-soul band Tori Roze & The Hot Mess; eclectic multilingual pop artist Razteria and moody pop group gloomy june. 

The Bay Beats launch party will take place Saturday, October 28, 11 a.m.—4:30 p.m., outside the Main Library on the Fulton Street steps and plaza. Local DJ Teemoney, who also served as a community juror for Bay Beats, will spin between sets. Food trucks, the Library’s bookmobile, Amoeba Music and other local partners will be part of the festivities. The event is free to the public.

Anyone across the country and around the world curious to hear the sounds of the Bay Area can stream music on Bay Beats. San Francisco Public Library cardholders have the added benefit of being able to download music. Additionally, the platform allows artists to curate their own band pages, so they can let their fans know the latest about upcoming gigs and new releases.

To take a listen, visit baybeats.sfpl.org.

About San Francisco Public Library:

San Francisco Public Library is dedicated to free and equal access to information, knowledge, independent learning and the joys of reading for our diverse community. The library system is made up of 27 neighborhood branches, the San Francisco Main Library at Civic Center and four bookmobiles.