Every year, unsigned artists across the U.S. submit videos to NPR Music’s Tiny Desk Contest, hoping for a shot to perform behind the famous desk. In Massachusetts, the local entries are spotlighted by WBUR, which selects one standout act as the state’s Local Favorite — and this year’s search has officially narrowed down to 17 finalists.
The entries span a range of genres and voices, from smooth R&B to genre-bending fusions and acoustic-driven songwriting. Among this year’s Massachusetts standouts are Amanda Mena with “All I Need,” Jo Saza’s “Hoop Dreams,” and experimental group Project Mishram with “Mishram.” The full playlist is now live on YouTube, giving audiences a chance to explore the depth and variety of the Bay State’s unsigned talent.
But before WBUR names its official Local Favorite, listeners are invited to weigh in. Voting is now open for the Fan Favorite, allowing the public to highlight their pick from the finalist list. Voting closes on June 5 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
This year’s selection panel includes:
- Amelia Mason, WBUR senior arts and culture reporter, who’s led the Local Favorite search since 2018.
- Shea Rose, musician and Berklee professor, known for her work in artist development and as a curator for Club Passim’s Folk Collective.
- Maddie Browning, arts reporting fellow at WBUR, with bylines in The Boston Globe, Boston.com, and Business Insider.
- Susan Cattaneo, award-winning Boston folk artist and songwriter.
- Marquis Neal, WBUR’s senior technical director and Boston talent manager.
Here’s the full list of Massachusetts finalists for the 2025 Tiny Desk Contest:
- Amanda Mena, “All I Need”
- Anna Vtipil, “too clear”
- Cloudbelly, “Poppa”
- EthnoSphere, “Echoes of the Dunes”
- Jo Saza, “Hoop Dreams”
- Karolina Wilgus, “Absolute”
- kei, “cool it off”
- Padma, “Good Sign”
- Project Mishram, “Mishram”
- Rachel Sumner & Traveling Light, “Wineapple Rind”
- Rijah, “Rush Hour”
- S AND R, “Taste Of The Crown”
- Sanyé Mylo, “Emergency”
- SVMBV, “WOMANIZER”
- Tiril Jackson, “Trueman”
- V V N, “Afriq”
- YANINA, “We’re the Clowns”
Fans can scroll through the full playlist and cast their vote now at WBUR.Org. WBUR’s Local Favorite and Fan Favorite will be announced following the close of the voting period.
