EXCLUSIVE: Steamtown Music Awards announces 2021 performers and presenters for Scranton ceremony
The Electric City Music Conference announced today that the 2021 Steamtown Music Awards will return to The V-Spot in Scranton on Thursday, Nov. 18. The event will again be held both indoors and outdoors, with the parking lot enclosed by a tent.
Nominees for the eighth annual awards will be announced on Wednesday, Oct. 13. Online voting will begin on Thursday, Oct. 14.
For the second year, every award will have an online voting component. The online voting will contribute to 50 percent of the vote for each category, while the SMAs committee will contribute the other 50 percent of the vote.
The standout performers that received fan support on social media and at live concerts will receive the People’s Choice Award, given out in each category in addition to the main award.
The conference continues on Friday, Nov. 19 and Saturday, Nov. 20 in various venues throughout the Scranton area, including the Backyard Ale House, The Bog, Noir Dark Spirits, Peculiar Kitchen, The Railyard, Stage West, and The V-Spot.
Over three days, the Electric City Music Conference typically features performances by over 150 bands from across the country throughout different venues, the Steamtown Music Awards ceremony with many awards and special performances of its own, and free panel discussions and mentoring sessions for local musicians, professionals, and music fans.
As the largest event of its kind in Northeastern Pennsylvania, this celebration of the diverse local music scene is much more than a music festival, bringing hundreds of artists and music industry professionals together annually to meet and network while recognizing and showcasing established and up-and-coming musicians.
Last year’s ECMC was put on hold due to the pandemic, instead featuring a three-day live stream of the Steamtown Music Awards from The V-Spot (906 Providence Rd., Scranton) with 20 live socially distanced acts. In 2021, the award ceremony will be back with all of the usual pageantry.
Nominees and visitors will have the chance to walk the red carpet from 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. where interviews will be conducted by NEPA Scene editor Rich Howells during a live stream of the event. Official red carpet photos will also be taken by Keith Perks of 1120 Studios.
This year, the Steamtown Music Awards will feature live performances by Room 108, Jay Trinity, Royal Hell, Mack Mulla, Ellie Rosentel, Blind Choice, Ripped Away, So Much Hope, Buried and DJ Hersh.
In addition, there will be on-stage appearances by AJ Crossley, Alexandra Gesler, Alonna Weaver, The Boastfuls, Carver Cross, Dan Lykens, Dave Kline, Denny Corby, George Polemitis, Jacquelyn Kazoun, John Kasper, Lucia and Glynn Murphy, Michelle Pagan, Johnny Popko, Rich Howells, Tanis Pellegrini, Vinnie Archer, Nick Van Wagenen, Daniel Pittman, Tom Ferranti, Mark Hoover, Donna Trusky, Kris Jones, Josh Balz, John Phillips, and Aaron Bruch to present the awards throughout the evening.
Nominees and presenters get in free. Tickets for guests, which are $10, are on sale now via Eventbrite.
“We’re excited to have many new bands, old friends, and a handful of new venues participating in this year’s event. A lot has changed after being locked up inside for a year and a half. We’re ready to get back at it, and we have some major surprises in store for everyone,” ECMC co-founder Joe Caviston said.
“Stay tuned for major announcements, coming to you via NEPA Scene, of course.”
Electric City Music Conference 2021 timeline
Monday, July 12: Applications to perform opened
Friday, July 16: Nominations for the Steamtown Music Awards opened
Monday, Sept. 20: Applications to perform closed
Friday, Sept. 24: Nominations for the Steamtown Music Awards closed
Thursday, Oct. 14: Online voting for the Steamtown Music Awards opens
Monday, Nov. 1: Online voting for the Steamtown Music Awards closes
Thursday, Nov. 18: Steamtown Music Awards
Friday, Nov. 19 and Saturday, Nov. 20: Electric City Music Conference
Photo of So Much Hope, Buried by Rich Howells/NEPA Scene
