Hozier, Joan Baez, and Van Morrison to Headline Taj Mahal Tribute Concert

The annual Sweet Relief Musicians Fund benefit show returns to San Francisco's Masonic Auditorium.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Irish singer-songwriter Hozier has joined the lineup for Sweet Relief Musicians Fund's annual benefit concert honoring blues legend Taj Mahal. The Feb. 21 concert at San Francisco's Masonic Auditorium will also feature performances by Joan Baez, Van Morrison, Stevie Van Zandt, George Thorogood, and more, with additional surprise guests expected.

Why it matters

The concert is a critical fundraiser for the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund, which provides financial assistance to career musicians and music industry workers in need of emergency medical or mental health care. The event celebrates Taj Mahal's influential five-decade career and his impact on modern blues music.

The details

Hozier, known for hits like 'Take Me to Church,' will perform in tribute to Taj Mahal, whose music blends blues with Caribbean, African, Hawaiian, and Latin influences. The concert marks Sweet Relief's 32nd anniversary and will also feature performances by a lineup of acclaimed artists including Joan Baez, Van Morrison, Stevie Van Zandt, George Thorogood, Mike Campbell, Bobby Rush, Patty Griffin, Jim Lauderdale, Will Hoge, Joe Henry, and Ruby Amanfu.

  • The concert will take place on February 21, 2026.
  • Sweet Relief Musicians Fund has been hosting this annual benefit for 32 years.

The players

Hozier

An Irish singer-songwriter known for his multi-platinum hit 'Take Me to Church' and albums that blend folk, blues, soul, and rock.

Taj Mahal

A blues legend whose career has spanned more than five decades, known for incorporating Caribbean, African, Hawaiian, and Latin influences into his music.

Sweet Relief Musicians Fund

A nonprofit organization that provides financial assistance to career musicians and music industry workers in need of emergency medical or mental health care.

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What they’re saying

“Thrilled to be honored by Sweet Relief and to celebrate with good feeling music.”

— Taj Mahal (Press Release)

“The event is a critical fundraiser for our music community in need of emergency financial assistance for physical or mental health care.”

— Aric Steinberg, Executive Director, Sweet Relief Musicians Fund (Press Release)

What’s next

Organizers have announced an online auction of a D'Angelico Bob Weir Signature Guitar signed by performers at the event, with proceeds benefiting the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund.

The takeaway

This annual concert celebrates Taj Mahal's enduring influence on modern blues music while also raising critical funds to support musicians and music industry workers facing medical or mental health challenges, demonstrating the tight-knit community and shared values within the music industry.