2025 Electric City Music Conference announces free music industry panels in Scranton on Sept. 12-13
The 12th annual Electric City Music Conference has announced the full schedule of its free educational panels, which will be held at The V-Spot in Scranton.
On Friday, Sept. 12 and Saturday, Sept. 13, musicians and the general public can attend a series of discussions led by top-tier industry professionals, all at no cost.
“We believe in making professional development accessible to everyone in the music community,” said Joe Caviston, founder of the ECMC.
“By offering these panels for free, we’re removing barriers and giving every artist, no matter their experience level, a chance to learn from the best. The V-Spot is the perfect location to foster this kind of creative and collaborative environment.”
The conference panels are a core component of the ECMC’s mission to support the growth of local and regional artists. While there is no fee to attend, registering online is highly encouraged to guarantee a seat. Registration opens in person at 10 a.m. each day at The V-Spot (906 Providence Rd., Scranton), offering musicians a chance to network and receive their conference passes.
Friday, Sept. 12
11 a.m.: Your Conference Playbook: Maximize Your ECMC Experience
ECMC founder Joe Caviston leads a session on navigating the conference and a networking mixer. Register here.
Noon: From the Press Pit: A Musician’s Guide to Working with the Media
Rich Howells of NEPA Scene and Johnny Popko of The Popko Project offer insights into getting media coverage. Register here.
1 p.m.: From Stage to Success: Building Your Empire
Josh Balz, former keyboardist of Motionless In White and the owner of The Ritz Theater in Scranton, discusses diversifying revenue streams. Register here.
2 p.m.: Booking 101: From First Gig to Full Calendar
A panel with Eric Abyss (Sled Dog Entertainment), Josh Malkiewicz (Stage West in State College), and Ken Unstuck (Union Vapors 570 in Dickson City) on how to get booked and rebooked. Register here.
Saturday, Sept. 13
11:30 a.m.: Rock and Retirement: A Musician’s Guide to Financial Responsibility
Musician and financial advisor Zhach Kelsch provides a roadmap for financial stability. Register here.
12:30 p.m.: Mastering Your Mix: A Musician’s Guide to Live Sound
Sound engineers Matt Kester and Jeremy Carl of Matt Kester Productions share essential tips on soundchecks and live performance. Register here.
1:30 p.m.: From Sound to Scroll: Content Creation for Musicians
Social media marketing guru Ryan Hertel, founder of Socialocca, discusses leveraging digital content to build a music career. Register here.
2:30 p.m.: Still Scratching: A Career in Longevity
Legendary Philadelphia DJ Sat-One shares his decades of experience and insights on building a lasting career. Register here.
The Electric City Music Conference is an annual event celebrating the music of Northeast Pennsylvania. It features a series of panels and discussions for musicians and industry professionals, alongside a multi-venue music festival showcasing hundreds of local and regional acts.
Kicking off on Thursday, Sept. 11 with the Steamtown Music Awards, the 2025 Electric City Music Conference continues on Sept. 12, and Sept. 13 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 at Backyard Ale House, Black & Brass Coffee Roasting Company, The Bog, Mutant Brewing, Sergei’s Live, The Shakes Space inside The Marketplace at Steamtown, Union Vapors 570, and The V-Spot.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit electriccitymusicconference.com.
Photo of Eric Abyss by Rich Howells/NEPA Scene
