With Off-Beat Music Festival coming up next month to Reno’s Brewery District, I figured I’d go into some of the bands I’m looking forward to seeing over this year’s two-day event. With a total of 60+ bands to sift through, I’m starting to put my schedule together and plan everything out. This article will look at some Reno based artists I’m excited to see but I know there will be a good chance I’ll discover some new locals acts to follow.
Anabelle and the Desert Scrubs
Coming from Fallon (about an hour drive from Reno), this three-piece alternative-folk-pop band are having a huge year so far. Their debut LP “The Bella Empire” released this past Spring and they have been busy playing shows around town almost every week. Lead vocalist Anabelle has been writing songs since she was a teenager and all her hard work is paying off. Seeing her and the band open the festival at the Main Stage is incredibly exciting and well deserved.
The Happy Trails
Veterans of Off-Beat Music Fest, The Happy Trails have been making music in the Reno music scene for some time now. I missed their performance last year due to a conflicting time slot but will make it a point to see them this time around. They are a straight Rock n Roll band who like to infuse that distinct Nevada sound into their songs. The band’s most recent single, Fit To Folding, is full of punchy guitars and solos and an excellent single overall. I am very much looking forward to experiencing this band live.
Nightbrain
I was able to catch the opening few songs from Nightbrain last year and since that time, I’ve thought a lot about how the band opened their set. When I first made it into The Alpine, keyboard sequencers were blaring until the horns and full band kicked in. It was an intro that stuck with me this whole time. The band are from Quincy, CA (I know, not from Reno but there is a strong musical connection between the two towns) and their style is a wonderful mashup of jazz fusion and alt-pop.
Ranger
The band’s debut LP, “You Don’t Have To Be Anyone”, dropped in 2025 and I spent many hours and long stretches of time listening to this instant classic (the band also released an exceptional music video for the track Poppers a few months ago, which I highly recommend checking out). The band are this interesting blend of nostalgia and modern indie-pop who compose songs with infectious melodies and structure. I’ve seen them live once so far this year but I will never turn down an opportunity to see them perform.
Spencer Kilpatrick & The Sand Gators
What more is there to say about Spencer Kilpatrick and The Sand Gators. Also veterans of Off-Beat, the band’s blend of jazz fusion, roots, blues and alternative rock is performed in such an energetic and fun manner that it’s easy to get lost in the performance. You’ll soon find yourself doing the “gator dance” but I would recommend placing your drink down before you do. Amazing band to see live, with a massive discography to sift to before the festival. Oh, and lead vocalist Spencer Kilpatrick released one of my favorite albums of the year in “Dog Run” which I highly recommend checking out.
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