Welcome, Presenters. You’re Part of the Show.
Thank you for helping us celebrate Northeastern Pennsylvania’s music community. Presenting an award is simple, fun and an important part of keeping the Steamtown Music Awards moving. This page has everything you need: where to go, when to be ready, what happens on stage and your 2026 presenter assignment.
First: thank you.
The Steamtown Music Awards works because people from across the community are willing to show up, take part and help make the night feel bigger than a list of winners. As a presenter, you are helping recognize the artists, musicians, venues, media people and music-industry professionals who keep the NEPA scene moving.
You do not need to memorize a speech or rehearse an awards-show routine. We will get you where you need to be, give you the nominees, the award and the sealed envelope, and introduce you when it is time. Your job is to have fun, give the category its moment and clearly announce the winner.
Before you arrive.
A few small things will make the night easier for you and for everyone trying to keep more than 35 awards moving.
Know your time block.
Find your name in the 2026 schedule below. Your time is the block you should be ready for, not the time you should be walking through the front door.
Arrive early.
Give yourself time to check in, get your presenter pass, walk the red carpet, grab a photo and actually enjoy the event before you need to think about the stage.
Stay close when your block approaches.
A few minutes before your assigned block, make your way to the side of the stage with the other presenters in your group so we are not trying to find you in a packed room.
Here is exactly how presenting works.
When your category block is coming up, report to the side of the stage. The presenters in that block will gather together there. When we are ready, you will be introduced and brought onto the stage.
We will give you the award, a list of nominees and the sealed winner envelope. You can keep your presentation simple or have a little fun with it. Promote a project, shout out your organization, thank somebody, make the room laugh or just get right to the award.
The goal is to keep it positive, keep the program moving and make the nominees and winner feel like the moment matters.
You are allowed to have a personality. This does not need to sound like a corporate awards banquet. Be yourself. Be creative. Promote something you care about if you want. Just keep it respectful, reasonably brief and focused on celebrating the music community.
A few presenter do’s and don’ts.
Nothing complicated. Mostly: have fun and help us avoid chaos.
Do
- Check in when you arrive.
- Come to the side of the stage before your block.
- Read nominee names clearly.
- Keep the sealed envelope closed until your category.
- Use the platform to promote a project or organization if you want.
- Stay afterward, network, take photos and enjoy the show.
Please don’t
- Disappear right before your scheduled block.
- Open the envelope early.
- Rush through nominee names.
- Turn the microphone into a ten-minute speech.
- Use the stage to intentionally insult or disrespect nominees, attendees or the community.
- Stress about being perfect. We want you to enjoy this too.
2026 Steamtown Music Awards presenter schedule
Find your name below and open that time block. Performance names are included as landmarks so you know what is happening immediately before or around your presentation.
Timing note: Live events move. We may run a little early or a little late. Stay aware of the room and be ready before your listed block rather than treating the schedule like an airline departure time.
6:00 PMDoors Open / Red Carpet / PhotosStart the night here
6:45 PMWelcomeProgram begins
7:00 PMPerformance: Squid Sterling + First Awards3 presenters
7:30 PMPerformance: Alahji Daquan + Media / Jazz Awards5 presenters
8:00 PMSpecial Awards + Performance: Chase WhoAmplify + Lifetime Achievement + 6 categories
8:30 PMSoundcheck Award + Lifetime Achievement: Bob White2 special presentations
8:35 PMPerformance: Bryan Banks + Musician / Genre Awards5 presenters
9:00 PMPerformance: Wagner Road Band + Genre / Vocal Awards6 presenter assignments
9:30 PMFoundation Award + Performance: Elephants DancingSpecial award + 5 categories
10:00 PMPerformance: Spellslinger + Final Awards6 categories
10:30 PMPerformance: RAVYNClosing performance
Presenter FAQ
The questions people usually have right before they text us anyway.
What should I wear?
We call it your best “rock and roll attire.” That can mean jeans and your favorite band shirt, a suit, a dress, something loud, something weird or something completely your own. There is no formal dress code. Look like yourself on a night you know people will be taking pictures.
Where do I check in?
Go to the registration/check-in table when you arrive and tell them you are a presenter, then give them your name. They will get you your presenter credential.
Do presenters need to buy a ticket?
No. Your presenter admission is complimentary. Friends, family and other guests who are not separately credentialed should purchase a public ticket.
When should I go to the side of the stage?
A few minutes before your scheduled block. Do not wait until your exact listed time. If the performance immediately before your category is happening, that is a good signal to get yourself into position.
Do I have to write a speech?
No. You can simply introduce yourself, read the nominees and announce the winner. If you want to give a quick shout-out or promote a project, organization, business or cause, you are welcome to do that too.
Can I be funny or creative?
Yes. We want presenters to have personality. Just keep it respectful, reasonably brief and appropriate for a night built around positivity and community.
Can I use the red carpet?
Absolutely. Presenters are encouraged to arrive early, walk the red carpet, take photos and participate in interviews before the ceremony gets busy.
What if the schedule runs early or late?
That can happen. Live events are not exact. Stay aware of the program and be ready before your block. Being nearby is much easier than trying to catch up after your name has already been called.
Have fun with it. We’ll handle the rest.
Show up, check in, find your block, be ready when we need you and enjoy the fact that you get to hand somebody an award in front of a room full of people who care about NEPA music. Thank you for being part of it.