originally published: 04/28/2025
(PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- The WXPN 24-Hour Song Challenge is back and bolder than ever. On May 31, 2025, Songwriters are invited to push their creative limits by crafting an original song in just 24 hours, inspired by a surprise prompt. Participants will write, record, and submit a performance video for a chance to win cash, gear, studio time—and a spot on stage at the 2025 XPoNential Music Festival.
For the first time ever, listeners will help choose the finalists. From June 12 through June 18, the public will have the opportunity to vote online from among 12 semi-finalists selected by the judging panel to help shape the final results. Four Finalists will be announced once a day from June 23-26 and the Grand Prize Winner will be announced on June 30.
“There is an overwhelming amount of talent in the Philly music scene and we were reminded of that during last year's 24-Hour Song Challenge,” says WXPN Midday host 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 24-Hour Song Challenge.”
“My favorite thing about last year’s 24-Hour 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 24-Hour Song Challengewinner 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!”
Songwriters interested in participating must register by May 22 via the official WXPN 24-Hour Song Challenge website. All registered participants are invited to attend a virtual workshop on May 28, for an opportunity to review all the contest details and ask any final questions before the challenge begins. On May 31 at 12:00 p.m. ET, the prompt will be announced and songs must be submitted via the WXPN 24-Hour Song Challenge website by June 1 at 12:00pm.
Key Dates for 2025 include:
* Registration Deadline → May 22 at 11:59 p.m. ET
* Virtual Workshop → May 28 (contest details & instructions)
* Prompt Drop / Start of Challenge → May 31 at 12:00 p.m. ET
* Submission Deadline → June 1 at 12:00 p.m. ET
* 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
Eligibility
* Open to individuals, duos, or groups (all ages, all genres)
* Must reside within WXPN’s FM broadcast area
* Independent artists only (not signed to a label)
* One entry per participant
Creative Guidelines
* Songs must be original and created during the 24-Hour Challenge window
* Entries must be based on the official WXPN prompt
* Submit a video performance (under 5 minutes) uploaded to YouTube
* No AI-generated content or copyrighted material
* Creativity, not production quality, will be judged
Four Finalists will receive:
* $500 honorarium
* $100 gift card to Russo Music
* One-year WXPN Basic 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
* WXPN Member Judge – Chosen from the listener community
* WXPN Volunteer Judge – New this year! Selected from among the WXPN
volunteer corp
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 NPR distributes to 300+ 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 at www.xpn.org
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