SAFFORD — Tonight’s Sunshine describes their style as “alternative pop-rock with Latin undertones, indie metal country.”
“We’re all everything,” said Logan Mintz.
That unique blend by singer and ukulele player Anastasia Lopez, drummer Cougar Bellinger and bassist Mintz, led the three-piece band to win at the 2025 Battle of the Bands inside the Ag Building at Graham County Fairgrounds on Saturday. The win gave the band $3,000 in prize money.
The Tucson band played all originals and Lopez said the multi-song set helped get the audience on their side.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
“People who see Tonight’s Sunshine for the first time, I think they always . . . kind of have this look on their face where they can’t really jam out yet. They didn’t know what to expect, they’re like mind-blown, they’re watching. They can’t figure out how they’re feeling but they know they like it,” Lopez said, “and when they come back it’s when they really go all out.”
Lopez also won the award for best performance with a specialty instrument and Bellinger was named best drummer. Both received plaques and a $100 gift certificate to Richard’s Music each.
The next gig for Tonight’s Sunshine is July 26 at the Starlight Lounge in Phoenix; however, all the band’s music can be found on Spotify and other music platforms. Plus four more singles will be released over the next four months.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
Second place and a $500 gift certificate to Richard’s Music went to Gila Valley band Farquaad, led by singer-guitarist Chaz Ornelas, bassist Vincent Moreno and drummer Noah Jones.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
Third place and a $300 gift certificate to Richard’s Music went to another Gila Valley band, Heart and Soul, with singer-guitarist Bobby Moreno, bassist Vincent Moreno and drummer Tommy Aranda.
Vincent Moreno was also named best bassist.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
Selected as the best singer of the event was Kay Kuever with The Wind Below band, while the Jim Aker best guitarist award was presented to Thomas Bach with the band Drop D.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
In addition to enjoying the music away from the hot sun and inside the Ag Building for the first time, attendees also had the chance to support SEACUS and the Meals on Wheels program for homebound Graham and Greenlee seniors through the Nickel Picnic’s five-cent hot dogs, and the Bud Light Beer Garden.
Battle of the Bands was sponsored by Freeport-McMoRan; Advanced Air Systems; Sparklight; Richard’s Music; Macks Napa Auto Supply; Vista Recycling; Southern Arizona Sports, Tourism and Film Authority; Kempton Chevrolet; Sparks Homestore; Gila Electric; Audio Visions; Bud Light; Joe’s Ride-N-Dine; Pepsi; Trophies N’ Tees; Thriftee Food and Drug; Valley Vision digital billboards; and the Double R Communications family of radio stations, Kat Kountry 94.5 FM, Sunny 102.3 FM and KATO 1230 AM.
