Music Prize 2025 | $10,000 Cash Prize for Best Musician

Submissions are now open for 2025.

The deadline to enter is Tuesday, July 8, 2025 by 11:59pm CT.

How to Compete in Music Prize

Register your Music Act — all genres accepted.
Upload a 10-20 minute Video Audition (only original work) by Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at 11:59pm CT.
Complete your Musician Portal by Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at 11:59pm CT.
Up to 30 Semifinalist Auditions will stream online July 25 thru August 1, 2025.
The Top 10 Finalists will be announced online in August 2025. Finalists will be selected by industry professionals and online audience vote.
Finalist Musicians attend MPCon and play at Prize Fest October 17-18, 2025.
Grand Prize winner is awarded $10,000 cash. Second place is awarded $2,000 cash. Third place is awarded $1,000 cash. Audience choice wins $1,000 cash.

Music Prize is more than a battle of the bands.

We know that playing on stage is just the tip of the iceberg for musicians. The hard work happens through rehearsals, managing relationships with bookers and venues, navigating streaming platforms, social media, and so much more.

At Music Prize, we provide not only a stage to play on, but the mentorship of music industry professionals from across the country. These mentors will get to know you and your work at our intensive music conference, called MPCon, which will elevate your craft and help you advance your career.

MUSIC PRIZE IS PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

How to Compete in Music Prize

Participating in Film Prize is easier than you think. And we’re here to help along the way.

Step 1: Register Your Music Act

To enter Music Prize, competitors must register their Act. With your registration, Music Prize staff will stay in touch with you regarding your entry and make sure you’re on track to deliver your Video Audition and Musician Portal by the deadline of Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at 11:59p.m. Central Time.

Step 2: Upload Your Video Audition and Assets

Each Music Act must record and upload a 10-20 minute Video Audition with all-original music. This video may be as simple as one camera in your practice space or a fully-produced performance recording of a stage show. What matters most is sound quality and your performance, not fancy camera work. The Selection Committee is looking for great music and amazing stage presence. Be sure to turn it up to 11 for your submission.

Musicians must also complete the Musician Portal, an online profile before the deadline. This is where you can upload your promo photos, band logo, submit social links, and more.

Step 3: Promote the Semifinals to Win the Audience Vote

Video Auditions will stream on this website during the Music Prize Semifinals from Friday, July 25, 2024 thru August 1, 2025.

The Finalist Musicians will be chosen through a voting process during the Semifinals which includes the Music Prize Selection Committee — based on a rubric of criteria including music composition, lyrics, performance, and “X” factor — as well as by audience popular vote. The bands that amass the most votes, can secure their place in the Music Prize Finals at Prize Fest.

Step 4: Attend MPCon to Elevate and Make Industry Connections

Finalists are invited to Prize Fest in Shreveport, Louisiana on October 17-18, 2025 to participate in-person at our music conference and professional development event, called MPCon. During the day, you’ll meet with, learn from, and impress the Music Prize Mentor Judges who will be selecting the $10,000 Grand Prize winner. Note: The Mentor Judges are different from the semifinals Selection Committee.

Two members of each Music Act MUST attend both days of MPCon on October 17-18, 2025 to compete for the cash prizes. Each Musical Act will receive two tickets to MPCon as a part of their registration. Additional tickets will be available to additional band members, space permitting.

Step 5: Play a Set and Compete for Music Prize Glory

Finally, each Music Act will perform live in downtown Shreveport. Audiences and judges will watch you leave it all on the Music Prize stage. This will be the chance to show the judges what you’re made of in the spotlight which, along with your engagement at MPCon, will determine who they choose as the winners.

Each Finalist is awarded $1,000 to perform plus one complimentary hotel room for October 16-18, two tickets to MPCon, plus VIP badges for each of the band members which grant you free food and drink throughout the festival. Music Acts which originate from outside of Northwest Louisiana will receive up to $250 in travel reimbursements including transportation and additional lodging.

Step 1: Register Your Music Act

To enter Music Prize, competitors must register their Act. With your registration, Music Prize staff will stay in touch with you regarding your entry and make sure you’re on track to deliver your Video Audition and Musician Portal by the deadline of Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at 11:59p.m. Central Time.

Step 2: Upload Your Video Audition and Assets

Each Music Act must record and upload a 10-20 minute Video Audition with all-original music. This video may be as simple as one camera in your practice space or a fully-produced performance recording of a stage show. What matters most is sound quality and your performance, not fancy camera work. The Selection Committee is looking for great music and amazing stage presence. Be sure to turn it up to 11 for your submission.

Musicians must also complete the Musician Portal, an online profile before the deadline. This is where you can upload your promo photos, band logo, submit social links, and more.

Step 3: Promote the Semifinals to Win the Audience Vote

Video Auditions will stream on this website during the Music Prize Semifinals from Friday, July 25, 2024 thru August 1, 2025.

The Finalist Musicians will be chosen through a voting process during the Semifinals which includes the Music Prize Selection Committee — based on a rubric of criteria including music composition, lyrics, performance, and “X” factor — as well as by audience popular vote. The bands that amass the most votes, can secure their place in the Music Prize Finals at Prize Fest.

Step 4: Attend MPCon to Elevate and Make Industry Connections

Finalists are invited to Prize Fest in Shreveport, Louisiana on October 17-18, 2025 to participate in-person at our music conference and professional development event, called MPCon. During the day, you’ll meet with, learn from, and impress the Music Prize Mentor Judges who will be selecting the $10,000 Grand Prize winner. Note: The Mentor Judges are different from the semifinals Selection Committee.

Two members of each Music Act MUST attend both days of MPCon on October 17-18, 2025 to compete for the cash prizes. Each Musical Act will receive two tickets to MPCon as a part of their registration. Additional tickets will be available to additional band members, space permitting.

Step 5: Play a Set and Compete for Music Prize Glory

Finally, each Music Act will perform live in downtown Shreveport. Audiences and judges will watch you leave it all on the Music Prize stage. This will be the chance to show the judges what you’re made of in the spotlight which, along with your engagement at MPCon, will determine who they choose as the winners.

Each Finalist is awarded $1,000 to perform plus one complimentary hotel room for October 16-18, two tickets to MPCon, plus VIP badges for each of the band members which grant you free food and drink throughout the festival. Music Acts which originate from outside of Northwest Louisiana will receive up to $250 in travel reimbursements including transportation and additional lodging.

A Selection of Past Finalists and Winners

Below is a small selection of work by finalists and winners over the past 10 years of Music Prize competition.

AJ Haynes (now Seratones)

Grand Prize Winner, 2013

Ricky Latt & Tipsey

Grand Prize Winner, 2018

The American Hotel System

Grand Prize Winner, 2022

Star Chamber

Grand Prize Winner, 2017

Lance Thompson

Grand Prize Winner, 2020

Ponderosa Grove

Grand Prize Winner, 2021

HWY Lyons

Grand Prize Winner, 2018

The Breton Sound

Grand Prize Winner, 2015

Octavia the Great

Second Place Winner, 2022

Register now for the 2025 competition!

If you have questions, please reach out to Greogry Kallenberg at gregory@prize.foundation.