Night Moves Fest Returns: A Perfect Blend of National Acts and Gulf Coast Favorites

Night Moves Music Fest is a one‑day indie/alternative music festival held on the beautiful scenic waterfront at Community Maritime Park in downtown Pensacola. Year three of this Foo Foo Fest gem once again brings national and local talent to music fans on the Gulf  Coast. Besides the music, it’s all about hanging out: expect food trucks, vendor booths, craft drinks, and a chilled‑out atmosphere by the bay. If you’re in Pensacola and love discovering new bands or catching some favorites outdoors, this fest is a sweet‑spot between big commercial mega‑festivals and local shows.

Here's a quick rundown of the artists you can catch live this year.

Japanese Breakfast

Japanese Breakfast is the indie pop project of musician and author Michelle Zauner, known for blending dreamy synths, lush guitars, and emotional lyrics. Her music often explores grief, identity, and joy with a cinematic, nostalgic sound. Since her breakout album Psychopomp (2016), she’s gained critical acclaim for balancing vulnerability and playfulness. Beyond music, Zauner also wrote the bestselling memoir Crying in H Mart, which deepened her connection with fans.

Dashboard Confessional

Dashboard Confessional is an emo and acoustic rock band fronted by singer-songwriter Chris Carrabba. They became huge in the early 2000s with heartfelt, diary-like lyrics that defined the emo movement. Songs like “Screaming Infidelities” and “Hands Down” turned Carrabba’s raw vulnerability into sing-along anthems. Even years later, their music still hits that nostalgic nerve for anyone who ever felt deeply in their feely feelings.

Joyce Manor

Joyce Manor is a California punk band known for their short, punchy songs packed with emotion and catchy hooks. They mix raw energy with a surprising amount of heart, often singing about nostalgia, relationships, and growing up. Their sound blends classic punk urgency with indie and emo sensibilities, making them favorites in the modern punk scene. It’s the kind of music that’s over in two minutes but sticks with you all day.

Origami Angel

Origami Angel is a Washington, D.C.–based duo that mixes pop-punk, emo, and math rock into a high-energy, super-melodic sound. Their songs are full of clever lyrics, wild guitar riffs, and an underlying sense of optimism. Even when they get introspective, there’s a playful spirit that keeps things light and fun. They’re basically the soundtrack for anyone who loves emotional lyrics but also wants to have a good time yelling them in their car.

Wishy

Wishy is an indie rock band from Indianapolis that brings together dreamy shoegaze, ’90s alt-rock, and warm power-pop. The group is led by Kevin Krauter (formerly of Hoops) and Nina Pitchkites, backed by a tight rhythm section. Their debut album Triple Seven (2024) landed with big hooks, lush guitars, and emotional lyricism. They’ve kept up the momentum with EPs like Planet Popstar, exploring nostalgia, love, and self-discovery.

MSPAINT

MSPAINT is a Mississippi-based punk band that blends hardcore energy with synth-driven chaos and big, anthemic vibes. Their music feels both futuristic and raw, mixing shouted vocals, electronic textures, and a heavy dose of emotion. They’ve become known for breaking punk’s boundaries while keeping its intensity fully intact. It’s the kind of sound that makes you want to yell along and dance at the same time.

Ben Loftin and the Family

Ben Loftin & The Family is a laid-back soul band from Pensacola, Florida, with a signature “white sand soul” sound. The group, led by singer-songwriter Ben Loftin, blends pop, funk, reggae, and soulful brass in their music. Their live shows are warm and communal, drawing on Gulf Coast vibes and a tight, hometown energy. It’s music that feels like sunshine, good friends, and an easy evening breeze.

Ego Death

Ego Death is an indie-rock band out of Pensacola, Florida, blending shoegaze, post-punk, and psychedelic sounds. Their music features raw, emotive vocals, distorted guitars, and driving rhythms, creating a moody but energetic vibe. Known for introspective lyrics and high-energy live shows, they’ve become a standout in the Gulf Coast DIY scene.

Katie Dineen

Katie Dineen is a folk-pop singer-songwriter based in Pensacola, Florida, whose music mixes vulnerable storytelling with earthy acoustic tones. She grew up playing piano, then picked up guitar as a teen, and now writes songs that reflect on nature, heartbreak, and the quiet magic of everyday life. She also hosts the monthly Pensacola Songwriter Rounds to build up her local music community.

Lights with Fire

Lights With Fire is an experimental, alternative folk-rock band based in Pensacola, Florida. Their music weaves dreamy acoustic textures with emotional, introspective lyrics — think soft guitar, thoughtful vocals, and a touch of melancholy. They’ve released albums and EPs exploring themes of loss, self-discovery, and longing, giving their sound a quietly powerful weight.

Marigold's Apprentice

Marigold's Apprentice is a Pensacola, Florida trio that blends grunge‑tinged alt‑rock with 90s guitar tone and emotional hooks. Fronted by vocalist/guitarist Kaylan Richbourg with Sean Rush on bass and Heather Proscovec on drums, they aim to craft music that “makes you feel something” and stops you mid‑scroll for the guitar lines. Their demo set from October 2022 showcases short, punchy tracks that evoke early‑90s rock and punk energy—raw, immediate, and unapologetic.

For tickets and more info visit: https://nightmovesfest.com/

If you see us out there, say hello!

(Band descriptions were chat assisted so please pardon any unintentional errors or you know, plagiarism) 😄