If 2025 has taught us anything, it’s that the North Bay still knows how to make noise—in all the right ways. Between packed clubs, porch sessions and festivals sprouting like spring weeds, the local music scene continues to prove that North Bay is more than wine and wellness—it’s got an endless supply of rhythm and rebellion too.
This year’s North Bay Music Awards—the beloved NorBays—once again rallied readers to shout out their favorite bands, performers and behind-the-scenes heroes who keep the amps humming and the dance floors full. The turnout was huge (apparently democracy works best when guitars are involved), and the results are in.
From roots and rock to hip-hop, jazz and the genre-defying experiments that only the North Bay could birth, the region remains a fertile ground for sound. The NorBays are our annual reminder that every garage, grange hall and tavern stage is part of something larger—a community stitched together by melody, sweat and shared applause.
Of course, anyone bold enough to get up there and make something beautiful is already a winner in our book. But for posterity’s sake—and bragging rights—here are your 2025 North Bay Music Awards winners, as voted by our readers.
Best Americana
Flowstone
Best Blues
Spike Sikes & his Awesome Hotcakes
Best Country
Court ‘n’ Disaster
Best Dance Crew
Fargo Brothers
Best DJ (live)
Konnex
Best DJ (radio)
Mindi Levine
krsh.com/show/mindi-in-the-morning
Best Drag Show
Forbidden Kiss
caltheatre.com/forbidden-kiss-live
Best Electronica
Eki Shola
Best Female Solo Artist
Ellie James
Best Folk
Fargo Brothers
Best Funk Band
Marshall House Project
Best Hip-Hop
LaiddBackZach
Best Indie
Ellie James & The Electric Dream
Best Jazz
Nate Lopez
Best Lead Vocals
Sophia Kandler
Best Male Solo Artist
Nate Lopez
Best Metal
Immortallica
Best Music Instructor
Gregory Baeley
Best Music Venue
HopMonk Sebastopol
Best Open Mic Venue
Open Mic with Ceni at HopMonk Sebastopol
Best Promoter
Jake Ward
Best Punk
BLVKOUT
Best R&B
Spike Sikes & his Awesome Hotcakes
Best Reggae
Sol Horizon
Best Rock
945
Best Short Music Film or Documentary
Finding Lucinda
Best Songwriter
Ellie James
Most North Bay Vibe
Flowstone
— Weeklys Staff
A celebration of our NorBay winners runs from 6 to 8 pm, Thursday, Dec. 4, at HopMonk Sebastopol, 230 Petaluma Ave. For more information, visit hopmonk.com/sebastopol.
