SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Illuminate and San Francisco Public Library will kick off the return of its free concert series, Civic Center Soundtrack, on Tuesday, April 8, at Fulton Plaza. The series consists of diverse musical performances that will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays, from noon to 3 p.m., happening through July. Three different performers will play at each show and the series will feature local and notable singer/songwriters, plus many other genres.

The concert series returns after a successful debut run last year, in which it produced a total of 118 free concerts at the plaza. Illuminate Founder, Ben Davis offered “We are excited about all those who have come together to revitalize our city center. This lunchtime concert series benefits San Franciscans working downtown and tourists alike.” The series is a partnership between Illuminate, San Francisco Public Library, and the Civic Center Community Benefit District with additional support from San Francisco Rec and Park.

“We’re thrilled to welcome back Civic Center Soundtrack just in time for spring. San Francisco has and always will be a music destination, and to have free live concerts for all to enjoy is core to our mission of both making the arts accessible and supporting our local talent,” said City Librarian Michael Lambert.

“The Civic Center Soundtrack concert series is all about bringing people together and injecting new life into Fulton Plaza,” said Rec and Park General Manager Phil Ginsburg. “By showcasing live music right in the heart of downtown, we’re not just creating a space for great performances—we’re making sure San Francisco stays a vibrant, must-visit destination for both locals and visitors alike. It’s an exciting way to energize the area and make sure our city’s cultural pulse stays strong.”

The monthslong music series is part of a larger, ongoing effort by City and community agencies to enliven Fulton Plaza. The live music backdrop and patio tables are a great space for the lunch crowd to enjoy a mid-day meal al fresco.

This past weekend marked the debut of the new public art installation SPECTRA, which consists of 1,271 individually programmable LED lights installed across the rooftops of the San Francisco Public Library and the Asian Art Museum. The lights are programmed to pulse and shimmer in an audio-reactive display of color and light, creating a dynamic waveform that mimics both light and sound spectrums.

SPECTRA, a 2-year exhibit by Illuminate, was designed by Oakland-based artist Joshua Hubert, and is set to light up the plaza each evening around nightfall.
More information about the Civic Center Soundtrack concert series, as well as a lineup of scheduled performers, can be found here.

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