Terminal Sessions will bring Stern Grove performers to Gate B4 for post-security concerts ahead of their appearances at the city’s long-running free summer music festival, the airport announced Thursday, June 4.

Peter Cat Recording Co., the New Delhi band known for its blend of jazz, cabaret, indie pop and alt-rock, is scheduled to perform at SFO on June 13 ahead of kicking off Stern Grove Festival’s 89th season the next day, June 14.

Bomba Estéreo, the Colombian band known for its electro-tropical and psychedelic cumbia sound, is scheduled to perform at SFO on June 20, before its June 21 Stern Grove appearance.

“We are truly excited to welcome these highly anticipated international artists for a free, live performance at SFO,” SFO Director Mike Nakornkhet said in a statement.

The airport concerts are free, but they are not open to general walk-up attendance. 

Capacity will be limited.

SFO said guests must either be ticketed passengers or receive approval through SFO Gate Explorer, the airport’s visitor-pass program that allows some non-ticketed guests to enter post-security areas. It was launched this spring, to provide access to meet travelers, visit airport restaurants and shops, or see museum exhibits and art. 

Visitors must apply online, provide information that matches a government-issued ID and receive TSA approval before entering secure areas.

Terminal Sessions concerts are part of SFO Celebrates: Summer Music in San Francisco, an airport initiative meant to bring local cultural events and performances into the terminals for travelers. 

Most SFO Celebrates events take place beyond security checkpoints.

The Terminal Sessions announcement also gives Stern Grove Festival a second stage of sorts as it prepares to open its 2026 season at Sigmund Stern Grove, the outdoor amphitheater at 19th Avenue and Sloat Boulevard.

The festival, which dates to 1938, describes itself as the nation’s longest-running free nonprofit music festival. 

This year’s lineup includes Japanese Breakfast, Major Lazer, the San Francisco Symphony with Béla Fleck, Charley Crockett, Suki Waterhouse, Violent Femmes, Patti LaBelle, Public Enemy and Al Green.

SFO said its broader Summer Music in San Francisco series will continue July 7 through Aug. 28, with live performances scheduled Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

More acts will be announced soon.