Making music in the North Bay requires talent, persistence and, ideally, someone with a van.
It also requires a commitment to the fans that show up at the venues, who buy the records and who take the time to vote for them in our annual North Bay Music Awards—aka the NorBays.
Once again, readers rallied and shouted out their favorite performers in our online readers’ poll—from those behind the mics to those behind-the-scenes. The resulting roster underscores the surfeit of talent that comprises the North Bay’s soundtrack: Americana, electronica, metal, jazz—apparently, we contain multitudes. Alongside the performers are the venues, promoters and radio personalities who help make a local music scene possible. We celebrate all of these in the listings that follow.
In the meantime, be sure to mark your calendars for the 2026 NorBay Music Awards at Ross Street Sessions, where our musical faves get their due amid live bands, food trucks and games.
Mariachi Pumas kicks things off at 6pm, followed by the awards at 7pm and Ellie James at 7:40pm, on Friday, Oct. 23, on Ross Street, off Mendocino Avenue between Fifth and Seventh streets, Santa Rosa. bit.ly/norbays26.
And now, without further ado…
The readers’ picks for the 2026 North Bay Music Awards
Best Americana
Fargo Brothers
Best Blues
Spike Sikes and His Awesome Hotcakes
Best Country
Dry Creek Station
Best DJ (live)
DJ Fayad Moss
Best DJ (radio)
Doug Jayne, KRCB
Best Drag Show
LUSH
instagram.com/lush.dance.party
Best Electronica
DJ Fayad Moss, Trance Goats
Best Female Solo Artist
Izzy Lilly
Best Folk
Callie Watts & Kris Dilbeck
Best Funk Band
Marshall House Project
Best Hip-Hop
LaiddBackZach
Best Indie
MJ Ward
Best Jazz
Stella Heath
Best Lead Vocals
Sophia Kandler
Best Male Solo Artist
Sebastian Saint James
Best Metal
Skitzo
Best Music Venue
The Phoenix Theater
Best Open Mic Venue
Open Mic with Ceni, HopMonk Sebastopol
Best Promoter
Jake Ward
Best Punk
Punked Out Pretty
Best R&B
The Soul Section
Best Reggae
Sol Horizon
Best Rock
945
Best Short Music Film or Documentary
The Beat Goes On
willardblackwellals.com/the-beat-goes-on
Best Songwriter
Ellie James
Most North Bay Vibe
The SoulShake
