
High Sierra Music Festival Band Contest ft: Trianna Feruza & The Heavy Hitters, Grace & The Grit, Space Heater & The Akoustiks
Sun, 24 May, 7:00 PM PDT
Doors open
6:00 PM PDT
Moe's Alley
1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz, CA 95065
Description
The High Sierra Band Contest is back and better than ever. Check out four amazing semi-finalists live at Moe's Alley on May 24th and cheer on your favorite to help them earn a spot at the 34th High Sierra Music Festival in Grass Valley July 2-5.
Sunday, May 24, 2026
Doors: 6pm / Show: 7pm
$10 in advance / $15 day of the show
21+
* No Refunds | All sales are final
* Avoid scammers! Only purchase tickets from moesalley.com or ticketweb.com
* Tickets requested by email will be delivered 3 days prior to the event
* Will Call tickets will be available at the door on the day of the event
====
Event Information
Age Limit
21+
eTicket Delivery
Your tickets will be e-mailed closer to the event date.

Neo-Soul
Trianna Feruza & The Heavy Hitters
Trianna Feruza & The Heavy Hitters
Neo-Soul
Fronted by powerhouse vocalist and songwriter Trianna Feruza, Trianna Feruza & the Heavy Hitters are a 4-piece neo-soul/indie-funk band rooted in Santa Cruz, CA. Blending deep-pocket grooves, rich R&B soul, and fearless lyrical storytelling, their sound has been described as “Amy Winehouse meets Anderson Paak. jammin’ at a Sly and the Family Stone party.”
Their live shows are a full-body experience—soulful, high-energy, and deeply interactive. With tight arrangements, crowd participation, and a mission to uplift, every performance is a celebration of rhythm, healing, and connection.
The Heavy Hitters have rocked stages at Lucidity Festival, Joshua Tree Music Festival, Mountain Vibe Music Festival, and more, touring from Southern California to the Pacific Northwest. Their debut full-length album is out now, featuring 9 tracks and 9 accompanying music videos—a cinematic journey through life, loss, resilience, and groove.
All members are active music educators and community builders, committed to using their art as a tool for transformation. Whether headlining a packed venue or lighting up a local gathering, Trianna Feruza & the Heavy Hitters bring the funk, the heart, and the heat.

Free Funk
Space Heater
Space Heater
Free Funk
Space Heater
Space Heater is a Santa Cruz-based band with one foot planted firmly in the foundations of funk, while the other foot prefers a galaxy far, far away. Blending the funky sounds inspired from Prince and James Brown to Sharon Jones & the Dapkings, The Heat will likewise take you on a delicious journey careening through cosmic jams, landing you squarely on the dance floor with ecstatic revelers. With an expanding roster of sultry originals and the occasional cover song, you won't have much choice but to shake that thang....

Soul
The Akoustiks
The Akoustiks
Soul
The Akoustiks are a high-energy live band from Central California, known for delivering feel-good shows built on strong grooves, soulful rhythms, and crowd-first energy. Blending Americana, Funky Soul, and Latin Jazz with infectious vibes with an upbeat, party-ready atmosphere, the band has built a reputation for turning any room into a shared experience.
Whether performing at venues, festivals, community events, or special showcases, The Akoustiks focus on connection — engaging audiences through dynamic performances that are as fun as they are memorable. Their live shows are driven by chemistry, movement, and an unmistakable sense of joy that keeps crowds locked in from start to finish.
With a growing regional presence and an active live schedule, The Akoustiks continue to expand their reach through touring up and down California, like their 2025 Summer Let's Ride The Wave Tour. They are looking towards their Summer 2026 Let’s Get Weird Tour, which will be bringing their signature sound and positive energy to new audiences wherever they play.
The Akoustiks aren’t just a band — they’re a vibe.