The California Honeydrops & The Dip at the Stern Grove Festival

June 15, 2025 | Stern Grove Festival
by Dave Golden

The 88th season of the Stern Grove Festival opened with a homecoming performance by The California Honeydrops. No strangers to the iconic San Francisco stage, the band last appeared at the Grove in 2015 when they opened for the Doobie Brothers. Formed in 2007 in the Oakland BART system, The Honeydrops have long been a Bay Area staple, known for their infectious live shows. Fresh off a three-week national tour and with a new album, Redwood Highway, on the horizon, the band brought their trademark energy to an eager crowd, kicking off the set with “Junker’s Blues,” followed by fan favorites like “Good Enough” and “The Only Home I’ve Ever Known.”

Throughout the afternoon, The California Honeydrops delivered a feel-good mix of retro soul, R&B, and New Orleans–inspired grooves. Highlights included a rollicking version of “Let the Good Times Roll” and a soulful rendition of “In the Evening (When the Sun Goes Down).” The band’s horn section was in fine form, and frontman Lech Wierzynski kept the mood light and joyous, often stepping into the crowd with his trumpet or guitar. Their infectious energy had the audience on their feet and dancing in the grass—a perfect kickoff to the summer series.

The California Honeydrops | The Stern Grove Festival

Opening the show was The Dip, a Seattle-based rhythm and blues group whose tight musicianship and smooth vocals warmed up the crowd with ease. Their set featured the laid-back groove of “Slow Sipper,” the driving rhythm of “Atlas,” and a standout cover of Bobby Caldwell’s “What You Won’t Do for Love” that drew cheers from the crowd. Tracks like “Fill My Cup,” “Love Direction,” and the infectious “Sure Don’t Miss You” showcased the band’s dynamic range and vintage sensibilities. Together, both acts set a high bar for the rest of the Stern Grove Festival.