Mount Tamalpais is gearing up for another lively season as Sound Summit returns this September, marking its 10th anniversary. This Marin County festival, held at the historic Mountain Theater, just dropped news of an impressive lineup—alternative rock legends Cake are set to headline.
Every year, the event draws diverse musical acts to one of the Bay Area’s most stunning outdoor venues. It’s not just about the music, either; Sound Summit helps raise money to protect Mount Tamalpais State Park.
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Cake Returns to Mount Tam After Inspiring Performance
Sacramento’s own Cake will take the main stage for Sound Summit 2025 on September 13. Their set feels pretty significant, considering their 2013 show at Mount Tam Jam inspired producer Michael Nash to launch Sound Summit two years later.
That unmistakable Cake sound—John McCrea’s dry vocals, those quirky trumpet lines, and smart lyrics—will fill the natural amphitheater above Mill Valley and the sweeping San Francisco Bay. For fans and organizers, Cake’s return feels like a full-circle moment for a festival that’s grown into a Bay Area favorite.
Diverse Lineup Features Local and International Talent
The 2025 Sound Summit lineup goes well beyond its headliner. Canadian indie pop-rockers Alvvays will bring their lush, reverb-heavy tunes to the mountain crowd.
Indie rock band Real Estate joins in, and there’s a local twist—bassist Alex Bleeker actually calls West Marin home, so expect some laid-back, coastal energy in their shimmering guitar work.
One of the most anticipated moments this year? “Stand!“—a tribute to Sly and the Family Stone, featuring Grammy-winning producer and San Rafael local Narada Michael Walden with blues legend Taj Mahal. That’s bound to be a funk-filled nod to the Bay Area’s deep musical roots.
Folk-rockers Wolf Jett will also hit the stage. Vetiver’s Andy Cabic is set to spin as the festival’s all-day DJ, keeping things lively between sets.
A Decade of Music and Conservation
Sound Summit kicked off in 2015 and quickly became more than just a music festival. It’s also a major fundraiser for Mount Tamalpais State Park.
Roots & Branches Conservancy, the nonprofit behind it all, has raised over $300,000 for park conservation in the past ten years. That’s pretty impressive, honestly.
“The connection between music and nature at Sound Summit creates something truly magical,” said a spokesperson from Corte Madera’s environmental community. Folks trek up from Tiburon, Sausalito, and even as far as Novato and Fairfax every year to support the cause.
Festival Details and Ticket Information
Sound Summit 2025 lands on Saturday, September 13. Performances run from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Mountain Theater—locals still call it the Cushing Memorial Amphitheatre—up on Mount Tamalpais.
Brian Murphy and Paul McCaffrey, the former KNBR radio guys, will host. Expect their signature banter and some good-natured chaos.
Tickets drop Friday, June 10 at 10 a.m. You’ll find them on the festival’s website, soundsummit.net.
Adult tickets will set you back $120. Kids under 12 get in for $60, which feels fair enough.
If you’re coming from Larkspur, Greenbrae, or anywhere else in Marin, organizers suggest carpooling or grabbing a shuttle. Parking’s pretty tight up there.
The views from the amphitheater are unreal—Ross Valley, the Bay Area, all of it. Sound Summit’s always managed to blend top-notch music with a real sense of place, right in the heart of Marin County.
Here is the source article for this story: Sound Summit announces this year’s lineup
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