EXCLUSIVE: Timeline announced for 2025 Electric City Music Conference and Steamtown Music Awards in Scranton
Mark your calendars, music lovers – the 12th annual Electric City Music Conference and Steamtown Music Awards are set to electrify Scranton from Thursday, Sept. 11 through Saturday, Sept. 13. This three-day extravaganza promises a celebration of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s vibrant music scene alongside talent from across the nation.
The festivities kick off on Thursday, Sept. 11 with the highly anticipated Steamtown Music Awards. Serving as both a prestigious recognition of the region’s musical achievements and a lively welcome reception for out-of-town guests, the awards ceremony will set the stage for an unforgettable weekend of music and networking.
Friday, Sept. 12, and Saturday, Sept. 13 will see downtown Scranton come alive with over 100 performances across a diverse array of venues. From local favorites to regional and national acts, attendees can expect a dynamic showcase of talent spanning all genres. Participating venues already include Backyard Ale House, The Bog, Harry’s, The Marketplace at Steamtown, Mutant Brewing, The Ritz Theater, Sergei’s Live, The Shakes Space inside The Marketplace at Steamtown, and The V-Spot, with more locations to be announced.
Beyond the expansive musical lineup, the ECMC offers invaluable opportunities for musicians to learn and connect. On the mornings and afternoons of Sept. 12-13, free educational panels, speaker sessions, and mentoring opportunities will take place. Music industry professionals from around the country will share their expertise, offering guidance and potentially scouting the wealth of talent the conference attracts.
Applications to perform at the 2025 ECMC open on Monday, April 21. Local musicians can apply for free, while regional and national acts will have a nominal application fee.
Nominations for the Steamtown Music Awards open the following Monday, April 28. With over 35 categories recognizing musicians and industry professionals, nominations are open to the public, so fans can champion their favorite artists, and artists can even nominate themselves. A dedicated committee of local music experts will review nominations to determine the winners, alongside a special People’s Choice Award decided by fan votes.
2025 Electric City Music Conference and Steamtown Music Awards timeline
Monday, April 21: Performance applications open
Monday, April 28: Steamtown Music Award nominations open
Saturday, Aug. 23: Steamtown Music Award nominations close
Sunday, Aug. 24: Steamtown Music Award nominees announced at Mutant Brewing (5 p.m.-7 p.m. happy hour event)
Monday, Aug. 25: Online voting begins
Monday, Sept. 8: Online voting ends at midnight
Thursday, Sept. 11: 12th annual Steamtown Music Awards
Friday, Sept. 12: Electric City Music Conference
Saturday, Sept. 13: Electric City Music Conference
The Electric City Music Conference has become a Scranton tradition, transforming the city into a hub for musicians and industry professionals each fall. This unique event features an award ceremony, educational panels, networking opportunities, and a lively city-wide music festival.
Beginning with the Steamtown Music Awards, the ECMC honors the best of NEPA’s music scene before launching into two days of performances by local and national acts across multiple venues. The conference also offers free informational sessions led by experienced music industry professionals, celebrating music, education, and community in the heart of the Electric City.
