On Thursday, Sept. 11, the 12th annual Steamtown Music Awards gathered hundreds of musicians from across Northeastern Pennsylvania together for a wild night of socializing, celebrating, networking, dancing and, of course, live music at The V-Spot in Scranton.
In between performances by Portland Frank, Christian Michl Brown, Steamline Quarter, Lyndhurst, the Eastern Tribute Collective, Cowgirl Pills, Sweetnest, and DJ Hersh, awards in 35 categories were presented on stage, including two Lifetime Achievement Awards. A committee of local music experts selected the winners, while online fan votes determined the People’s Choice Awards.
Just outside, editor Rich Howells interviewed many of the artists throughout the event on NEPA Scene’s blue carpet:
The Steamtown Music Awards served as the kickoff to the 2025 Electric City Music Conference, which continued on Friday, Sept. 12 and Saturday, Sept. 13 with over 70 performances 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, as well as free educational panels about the music industry.
Lifetime Achievement Awards
Rocky Rhodes
John “Stu” Sanderson
Best New Artist
Winner: Cowgirl Pills
People’s Choice: Chase Who Band
Acoustic/Solo Artist of the Year
Winner: Ivy
People’s Choice: Gabby Tolerico
Blues/Funk Act of the Year
Winner: Matt Bennick Trio
People’s Choice: Dustin Douglas & The Electric Gentlemen
Country Act of the Year
Winner: Boots and Bangs
People’s Choice: Jase Mathews Band
Cover Band/Tribute Act of the Year
Winner: Eastern Tribute Collective
People’s Choice: The 335
DJ/Electronic/EDM Act of the Year
Winner: Flipswitch
People’s Choice: DJ Downtown
Duo/Trio of the Year
Winner: Atari+Mari
People’s Choice: The Frost
Jam/Reggae/Folk/Bluegrass Act of the Year
Winner: Elephants Dancing
People’s Choice: Peach Polaroid
Hip-Hop/Rap/R&B Artist of the Year
Winner: Baker Immaculate
People’s Choice: Alahji DáQuan
Metal Act of the Year
Winner: No Fight No Victory
People’s Choice: Drowning Kelly
Pop/Top 40 Act of the Year
Winner: The MDG Crew
People’s Choice: Totally Taboo
Punk/Hardcore Act of the Year
Winner: Pucker Up!
People’s Choice: Pucker Up!
Indie Rock/Pop Punk/Emo Act of the Year
Winner: Betty White Devil
People’s Choice: Broken Alibi
Rock/Alternative Act of the Year
Winner: Retrovai
People’s Choice: University Drive
Female Vocalist of the Year
Winner: Riley Loftus
People’s Choice: Abigail Chase
Male Vocalist of the Year
Winner: Jon Snow
People’s Choice: Sean Boland
Guitarist of the Year
Winner: Michael Trapp
People’s Choice: Frank Marcinkowski
Bassist of the Year
Winner: Pat Flynn
People’s Choice: Ben Roper
Drummer of the Year
Winner: Cody Sibio
People’s Choice: Joey Madara
Auxiliary Musician of the Year
Winner: Adam Jonkman
People’s Choice: Brendan Bordick-Lesavage
Song of the Year
Winner: Kenneth Norton IV – “Last Goodbye”
People’s Choice: Gracie Jane Sinclair – “Well, I’m a Bitch”
Album of the Year
Winner: Spellslinger – “Beyond Realms”
People’s Choice: No Take Backs – “April Showers”
Video of the Year
Winner: No Take Backs – “Before You’re Gone” featuring Altered Pink
People’s Choice: No Fight No Victory – “The Godhand”
Recording Studio of the Year
Winner: Encore Studios
People’s Choice: Encore Studios
Producer/Recording Engineer of the Year
Winner: Chev Robinson
People’s Choice: Steeze PA
Music Publication/Blog of the Year
Winner: NEPA Scene
People’s Choice: NEPA Scene
Podcast/Vlog/YouTube Channel of the Year
Winner: The Middleman Podcast
People’s Choice: The Popko Project
Local Radio Station of the Year
Winner: VMFM 91.7
People’s Choice: 97.9X
Music Journalist/Reviewer/Writer of the Year
Winner: Rich Howells
People’s Choice: Gabby Lang
Radio Personality/Podcaster/Internet Radio Personality of the Year
Winner: Johnny Popko
People’s Choice: Keven Martinez
Concert/Music Photographer of the Year
Winner: Keith Perks
People’s Choice: Kayla Grzech
Live Performance of the Year
Winner: Methadonix at Atmosfere Music Festival
People’s Choice: Sweet Little Lies at the Wayne County Fair
Videographer/Video Producer of the Year
Winner: Eyal Filkovsky
People’s Choice: Sarah Novroski
Artist of the Year
Winner: Gracie Jane Sinclair
People’s Choice: Gracie Jane Sinclair
Photo of Cowgirl Pills by Rich Howells/NEPA Scene
