
January 2025
Chilly weather didn’t keep music fans away from Midtown Reno’s Cypress Restaurant & Bar as a good crowd turned out for performers Skyler Lutes, Lizano and Pipe Down.
Skyler Lutes from San Diego, Ca. has been on a winter tour with his Reno appearance being his final night before heading back to sunnier climes in the morning. The tour’s earlier dates featured a full band but the final four shows – including his Cypress performance – were stripped down to acoustic playing with Skyler and his talented wife Veronica. The talented duo both sang and played acoustic guitars,setting a beautiful atmosphere to start the evening.

Up next was Reno’s own Lizano who played a fantastic set, and instantly gettng the crowd moving! Calling this show the Hometown Throwdown, Lizano, along with the night’s headliners, Pipe Down, will both be appearing at next month’s Lake Tahoe Winter Reggae Festival.
“What can we say, the last few years have been such a crazy ride. We grew up listening to all the amazing bands in the Reggae Rock scene, 3 years ago we had some opportunity’s with some promoters in our area to open for a few nationally touring acts and things really just kind of took off from there. To be playing a Lake Tahoe Reggae Festival for our 3rd time is pretty unreal, bands Like Rebelution and Expendables have had huge influences on our own sound, to get to share the stage with the bands we’ve looked up to our whole career is pretty surreal.
“What can we say, the last few years have been such a crazy ride. We grew up listening to all the amazing bands in the reggae rock scene. Three years ago we had some opportunities with some promoters in our area to open for a few nationally touring acts and things really just kind of took off from there. To be playing a Lake Tahoe Reggae Festival for our third time is pretty unreal. Bands like Rebelution and Expendables have had a huge influence on our own sound, and to get to share the stage with the bands we’ve looked up to our whole career is pretty surreal”
– Jay Hatchett of Lizano

Guitar player and lead vocalist Jay Hatchett loves to get the audience involved, while Robin Calarese on lead guitar is skillful. The band also features a horn section that can melt the listener like butter featuring Casey Smith on trumpet and Mar Thompson on trombone. Mitchell McIntosh on bass delivered killer grooves on top of having an entertaining stage presence. And Jordan Weiskoph on drums captivates you with his driving force and choice delivery. This band is a joy to watch live. They definitely wanna make you move!
My first time seeing Pipe Down and they rounded out the evening so well. Based out of North Lake Tahoe and currently on tour, it’s clear to see how hard this band has been out there working, made clear by their smooth, tight and precise musicianship. Harmonies were completely on point and a drummer who held the beat while being mesmerizing to watch. They expressed how much their excitement for their upcoming Tahoe appearance at the Lake Tahoe Winter Reggae Festival this upcoming month.

I look forward to seeing all these bands again. Both Lizano and Pipe Down play the Lake Tahoe Winter Reggae Fest in February taking place in South Lake Tahoe.
“We’re so grateful to represent Reno and we’ve got a massive set and some surprise guests in store for the start of day 2 of the festival, so All you fans out there make sure to get there early and don’t miss us!”
– Jay Hatchett






Check out more coverage of upcoming reggae concerts: