Unlock Your Musical Dreams: A Guide to Joining the 2025 NPR Tiny Desk Contest in St. Louis!

Are you an independent musician in Missouri or Illinois seeking national visibility?

NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest is currently welcoming entries for 2025. This yearly occasion provides unrecognized artists and bands the opportunity to perform at NPR’s headquarters located in Washington, D.C., in the same location as Missouri’s Chappell Roan, and St. Louis’ very own Foxing as well as Jordan Ward.

The primary guideline is straightforward: Perform an original track at a desk.

Additional entry guidelines

• Eligibility requires you to be at least 18 years old and reside in the U.S.
• You must not possess a current record contract.
• Your video must showcase you performing an original song lasting under 10 minutes — no covers or sampling — specifically for this contest and uploaded after Dec. 17, 2024.
• Post your video on YouTube and then submit your entry via the Tiny Desk website.
• The competition is currently open and will close at 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 10.

Ensure your eligibility by taking NPR Tiny Desk’s rules quiz.

NPR’s panel of judges will select one winner, who will then be featured on All Things Considered and perform their own Tiny Desk concert in Washington.

Along with being paired with an industry mentor, the winner will also headline NPR Music’s multistop national Tiny Desk Contest on the Road tour.

On behalf of everyone at St. Louis Public Radio, we wish you the greatest success!

We are excited to see your entries: Join the 2025 Tiny Desk Contest.