Pennsylvania does not have one music scene. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh anchor opposite sides of the state, but the complete picture includes Allentown, Bethlehem, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Erie, State College, Reading, York, Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, and the smaller communities connecting them.
Respect My Region is expanding its Pennsylvania music coverage and looking for the people building what comes next.
We want to connect with rising artists, independent labels, producers, DJs, venues, nightclubs, promoters, festivals, studios, publicists, managers, and event organizers across the state.
That includes hip-hop, R&B, rock, punk, metal, jazz, soul, electronic music, pop, indie, country, folk, hardcore, gospel, Latin music, Afrobeats, reggae, and sounds that do not fit cleanly into one category.
Pennsylvania has already produced generations of influential music. RMR wants to help identify the artists, businesses, and communities creating its next chapter.
Who Respect My Region Wants to Feature
RMR is looking for Pennsylvania music professionals with something real happening.
That includes:
- Rising solo artists and groups
- Rappers, singers, bands, DJs, musicians, and producers
- Independent labels and artist collectives
- Managers, publicists, booking agents, and creative agencies
- Music venues, nightclubs, bars, and listening rooms
- Concert promoters and independent event organizers
- Festivals, showcases, open mics, and recurring music series
- Recording studios, engineers, photographers, and videographers
- College artists and student-run music organizations
- Established Pennsylvania artists beginning a new chapter
Follower count is not the deciding factor.
We are looking for strong music, consistent activity, professional presentation, live performances, local support, and a clear reason people should pay attention now.
An independent artist filling smaller local rooms and building an engaged audience may have a more compelling story than someone with thousands of passive followers and no connection to the community around them.
What We Want to Cover
Artists can submit:
- New singles
- Albums and EPs
- Music videos
- Pennsylvania tour dates
- Release parties
- Live sessions
- Collaborations
- Festival appearances
- Career announcements
- Stories connected to their city or neighborhood
Labels and collectives can introduce us to new signings, artist rosters, compilations, showcases, release campaigns, and their plans for developing Pennsylvania talent.
Venues and clubs can send us concert calendars, local lineups, anniversary events, renovations, new concepts, and information about the music communities they support.
Promoters and event organizers can share upcoming concerts, festivals, listening parties, DJ events, open mics, and recurring showcases.
We want the release or show, but we also want the story behind it.
What part of Pennsylvania shaped the music? Who helped create it? What community supports it? What is the artist, venue, label, or promoter building beyond one song, social post, or event?
Philadelphia and Southeastern Pennsylvania
We want to hear from artists and music organizations throughout:
- Philadelphia
- West Philadelphia
- South Philadelphia
- North Philadelphia
- Northeast Philadelphia
- Germantown
- Fishtown
- Kensington
- Manayunk
- Upper Darby
- Ardmore
- Chester
- Media
- King of Prussia
- Norristown
- Bucks County
- Montgomery County
- Delaware County
- Chester County
Philadelphia’s music identity reaches across hip-hop, R&B, soul, jazz, rock, punk, hardcore, electronic music, pop, indie, gospel, and experimental sounds.
The city’s official tourism guide currently lists more than 40 concert venues, ranging from large arenas and outdoor amphitheaters to rooms designed for developing and independent artists. Union Transfer, Underground Arts, World Cafe Live, Johnny Brenda’s, The Fillmore, The Foundry, Theatre of Living Arts, Solar Myth, and The Rotunda all serve different parts of Philadelphia’s live-music ecosystem. (Visit Philadelphia)
Philadelphia’s history matters, but RMR is focused on who is active now.
We want the emerging rappers building neighborhood followings, the R&B singers developing their live sets, the punk and hardcore bands booking independent bills, the DJs creating recurring parties, and the producers helping define the city’s current sound.
We also want to hear from Philadelphia labels, management teams, venues, promoters, engineers, and visual creatives working behind the scenes.
Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania
Our Western Pennsylvania coverage includes:
- Pittsburgh
- Millvale
- Lawrenceville
- East Liberty
- Bloomfield
- Oakland
- South Side
- North Shore
- Homestead
- McKees Rocks
- Monroeville
- Washington
- Greensburg
- Johnstown
- Erie
- Communities throughout Western Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh has its own musical history, personality, and infrastructure. It should not be treated like a secondary version of Philadelphia.
The city supports hip-hop, jazz, punk, metal, indie rock, electronic music, country, R&B, folk, and experimental scenes across theaters, converted churches, neighborhood bars, clubs, arts organizations, and midsize concert rooms.
Visit Pittsburgh’s current venue guide highlights spaces including Mr. Smalls Theatre and Funhouse, Stage AE, Roxian Theatre, Thunderbird Café & Music Hall, Con Alma, MCG Jazz, The Oaks Theater, Enclave, and several smaller rooms throughout the region. (Visit Pittsburgh)
The city’s jazz legacy also remains part of its contemporary cultural identity, supported by venues and organizations presenting both established and developing musicians. (Visit Pittsburgh)
RMR wants to connect with the artists and organizations maintaining that history while creating something new.
That means rappers, bands, producers, DJs, jazz musicians, singers, promoters, labels, and venue operators throughout Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania.
Central Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley
We are also looking for submissions from:
- Harrisburg
- Lancaster
- York
- Reading
- Allentown
- Bethlehem
- Easton
- State College
- Altoona
- Williamsport
- Lebanon
- Chambersburg
- Gettysburg
Pennsylvania’s music ecosystem does not stop outside Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
The Lehigh Valley has its own venues, festivals, college communities, independent artists, and regional audiences. Harrisburg, Lancaster, York, and Reading create another touring corridor for developing acts traveling through the state.
State College and other university communities support student musicians, independent promoters, DJs, bands, and live events that can help launch careers.
RMR wants to hear from the artists building audiences in these markets without relocating or presenting themselves as Philadelphia or Pittsburgh acts.
Your city is part of your story. We want to know how it shapes the work.
Northeastern Pennsylvania
Our Northeastern Pennsylvania coverage includes:
- Scranton
- Wilkes-Barre
- Hazleton
- Stroudsburg
- the Poconos
- Smaller surrounding communities
Northeastern Pennsylvania connects local scenes with touring traffic between Philadelphia, New York, New Jersey, and other Northeast markets.
That creates opportunities for venues, promoters, festivals, and independent artists, but local work can still be overlooked by media centered in larger cities.
We want to cover the rappers, singers, bands, DJs, producers, venues, festivals, and organizations keeping these communities active.
Why RMR Is Expanding Its Pennsylvania Coverage
Pennsylvania music coverage often focuses on major touring concerts, established stars, legacy institutions, and a small number of high-profile festivals.
Those stories matter, but they do not represent everything happening across the state.
New music is released every week. Independent labels are developing artists. Promoters are putting together local bills. DJs are building recurring parties. Venue operators are taking risks on acts that have not yet earned national recognition.
Much of that work receives attention only inside its immediate community.
Respect My Region wants to document that momentum while it is happening.
RMR has spent more than a decade covering regional culture, independent musicians, established artists, releases, concerts, festivals, venues, and the businesses surrounding music.
Our goal is to build relationships with the people actively recording, performing, producing, booking, promoting, and investing in Pennsylvania’s creative communities.
What an RMR Pennsylvania Feature Can Include
Selected Pennsylvania artists and music organizations may receive a combination of editorial and social coverage.
Dedicated RMR Feature Article
A feature article may include:
- The artist or organization’s Pennsylvania connection
- Current music, event, or project
- Background and creative development
- Sound, influences, and collaborators
- Embedded music videos or streaming links
- Upcoming Pennsylvania performances
- Quotes from the artist, owner, promoter, or team
- Official website and social media links
- Search-friendly information that can continue reaching readers
Supporting Instagram Carousel
The supporting Instagram carousel can introduce the story through:
- A cover featuring the artist, label, venue, or event
- Pennsylvania background and city connection
- Current release, show, or project
- Important facts or accomplishments
- Music or event recommendations
- Upcoming plans
- A call to action leading readers to the complete article
Professional photos, current information, and organized links help our team create stronger coverage.
Editorial Submissions and Custom Paid Features
Artists and organizations can submit stories for editorial consideration. Submission does not guarantee publication, and our team may not be able to respond to every request.
Respect My Region also offers custom paid promotional packages for artists, labels, managers, publicists, venues, festivals, promoters, and creative teams looking for guaranteed coverage.
Paid opportunities can include:
- Dedicated sponsored feature articles
- Instagram carousels and collaborative posts
- Podcast interviews
- Video interviews and social clips
- Music-video or single premieres
- Event previews and recaps
- Venue and label spotlights
- Multi-platform promotional campaigns
- Ongoing media partnerships
Custom podcast features start at $500.
Every package is built around the artist, release, event, organization, or campaign being promoted. Sponsored placements are clearly identified.
How to Submit Your Pennsylvania Music Story
Send us:
- Artist, label, venue, event, or company name
- Pennsylvania city or neighborhood
- Short biography or organization description
- Current release, upcoming show, or primary story
- Streaming and music-video links
- Official website
- Instagram and other relevant social links
- Two to five professional photos
- Flyer and ticket link for event submissions
- Release date or event date
- Contact name and email
- A short explanation of why the story matters now
Send direct links instead of large attachments whenever possible.
Email [email protected] or [email protected] with the subject line:
Pennsylvania Music Feature Submission – [Name]
You can also DM @RespectMyRegion on Instagram.
For guaranteed coverage, a custom feature article, podcast interview, or larger promotional campaign, include PAID FEATURE or PODCAST in your message so our team can send the available options.
Pennsylvania, Show Us Who’s Next
Pennsylvania’s next wave is not coming from one city, genre, venue, or scene.
It is being built inside Philadelphia studios, Pittsburgh clubs, college towns, neighborhood venues, local festivals, independent releases, DIY shows, and creative communities throughout the state.
If you are building something people should know about, send it to Respect My Region.
Artists, labels, venues, clubs, DJs, producers, managers, publicists, promoters, festivals, studios, and event organizers are all invited to reach out.
Submit your story for editorial consideration or contact us about a custom paid feature, podcast episode, or promotional campaign.
Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and the rest of Pennsylvania, show us who’s next.
