originally published: 06/12/2025
(PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- In its second year, the WXPN 24-Hour Song Challenge opens online voting to the public via the official website from June 12-18 to help inform the final results The public will choose their top three contenders from a group of 12 semi-finalists. Of the 12 semi-finalists, Four Finalists and one Grand Prize winner will be determined by the official 24 Hour Song Challenge judges. The Four Finalists will be announced once a day June 23, 24, 25 and 27 and the Grand prize winner will be announced on June 30th. For the first time ever, listeners will help choose the finalists.
On Monday, June 16 at 11:00am ET and introduced by Kristen Kurtis, WXPNwill host a “Watch Party” via live video forum on their YouTube and Facebook channels. The 12 semi-finalists will be presented alongside their original song entry videos.
* Public voting happens from June 12-18 via songchallenge.xpn.org
* Voters will provide their email address and will be permitted to vote one time per day. They will be able to select up to 3 of the 12 semi-finalists to move on to the next round.
* Public votes will help inform the judging for the 4 Finalists and 1 Grand Prize winner.
On May 31st, songwriters were invited to push their creative limits by crafting an original song in just 24 hours, inspired the surprise prompt, “Belong.” Participants wrote, recorded, and submitted a performance video for a chance to win cash, gear, studio time—and a spot on stage at the 2025 XPoNential Music Festival.
“There is an overwhelming amount of talent in the Philly music scene and we were reminded of that during last year's Song Challenge,” says on-air personality Mike Vasilikos. “Every lane - from rock, pop, soul, punk, R&B, hip-hop - is filled with incredible artistry. We can't wait to see how our community raises their creative game for the second year of our Song Challenge.”
“My favorite thing about last year’s Song Challenge was all the new music I discovered because of it,” says host of The Local Show, John Vettese. “The city is overflowing with talent, and as much as I strive to keep up with it on WXPN Local, it was truly a treat when three of last year’s finalists – Mackenzie Johnson, Yuneer Gainz, and our first Song Challenge winner Khalil Amaru – were new to me, and I heard about them because of the music they wrote in 24 hours. I can’t wait to see who I’m introduced to this year!”
Key Dates for 2025 include:
* Public Voting (12 Semi-Finalists) → June 12–18
* Finalists Announced → June 23–26 (1 revealed each day)
* Grand Prize Winner Announced → June 30
Grand Prize Winner will receive:
* $1,000 honorarium
* $500 gift card to Russo Music
* 10 hours of recording time at MilkBoy Recording Studio
* Performance slot at the 2025 XPoNential Music Festival
* One-year WXPN Program Partner Membership
Four Finalists will receive:
* $500 honorarium
* $100 gift card to Russo Music
* One-year WXPN Membership
Judging Panel (2025)
* Mike Vasilikos – WXPN Midday Host & New Music Show
* John Vettese – Editor, XPN.org & Host of WXPN Local
* Raina Douris – Host of World Cafe
* Kristen Kurtis – WXPN Morning Show Host
* Khalil Amaru – 2024 WXPN 24-Hour Song Challenge Winner
* Sadie Dupuis – Musician, poet, and producer
* Edward Canny - 2025 WXPN Member Judge
* Mark Logsdon - 2025 WXPN Volunteer Judge
WXPN, the nationally recognized leader in Triple A radio and the premier guide for discovering new and significant artists in rock, blues, roots, and folk, is the non-commercial, member-supported, public radio service of the University of Pennsylvania. WXPN produces World Cafe, public radio’s most popular program of popular music that is distributed by NPR to 297 U.S. radio stations, and the Peabody Award-winning Kids Corner which now offers a 24-hour family music streaming service. WXPN produces XPoNential Radio on XPN2 as its secondary radio channel in HD, also available online.
WXPN serves music lovers in these areas: Philadelphia at 88.5 FM; Lehigh Valley at 104.9 FM; Lancaster/York at 88.7 FM; Harrisburg at 99.7 FM; Worton/Baltimore at 90.5 FM; North Jersey/Poconos at 91.9 FM; and Worldwide via streaming at xpn.org and the XPN app.
COLUMNS
Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Promises" by Dave Vargo
The Makin Waves Song of the Week is "Promises" from Jersey Shore-based roots rocker Dave Vargo's latest album, "Ghost Towns."
MORE NEWS
Clover Stieve releases "How Big Can I Dream"
(FRENCHTOWN, NJ) -- Singer-songwriter, Clover Stieve (formerly CLOVER), has release the single, "How Big Can I Dream," from her upcoming album, Born to Live. Originally written for WXPN's 24-Hour Songwriting contest, the ethereal song highlights Clover Stieve's honey-drenched alto over shimmering acoustic guitars and vocal harmonies.
Bassist Martin Wind Adds Piano to His Gravity Trio for Area Performances
Russell Jamie Johnson releases "Who We Used To Be"
Sparta Announces New Album, Releases "Crater"
Low Cut Connie Pays Tribute To Prince 10 Years After His Passing with "Little Red Corvette" Cover
The Penguin Rocks
© 2026 by Wine Time Media, LLC
PO Box 811, Belmar, NJ 07719
[email protected]
Presented by New Jersey Stage
