TikTok and iHeartRadio have launched a new singing competition called “Next Up: Live Music,” creating a platform for emerging artists to gain visibility through live performances and audience engagement.

The multi-phase competition runs through September, featuring three distinct stages. Auditions run July 28 through August 11, open to all eligible creators, with the top 50 artists advancing. Semi-finals take place August 25-29, narrowing contestants to the top 12. The competition culminates in a live finale at the iHeartRadio Theater in Burbank, California on September 26.

Contestants advance based on a combination of TikTok community engagement metrics and judges’ scores. Performance assessment includes likes, views, comments, shares, and overall support during live performances.

The competition targets emerging artists across all genres including Pop, R&B, Hip Hop, Indie, and classical crossover. Participants must be U.S. residents age 18 or older with at least 50,000 TikTok followers and consistent engagement. Artists must own rights to at least one original song, demonstrate comfort with live performance, and remain unsigned by major labels or secure label clearance to compete.

The initiative builds on TikTok’s established role in music discovery. According to a TikTok-commissioned Luminate study, 84% of songs entering the Billboard Global 200 in 2024 achieved viral status on TikTok before charting, with an additional 12% going viral simultaneously with or after charting.

Research indicates TikTok users spend 48% more time streaming music than average U.S. listeners and are 68% more likely to subscribe to paid streaming services. The platform’s “Add to Music App” feature has generated over one billion song saves since its 2024 launch.

Artist Benefits

The competition offers participants live streaming training, audience growth opportunities through the high-visibility format, and potential performance exposure at the iHeartRadio Theater.

“TikTok LIVE gives fans the power to engage directly, support their favorite performers, and truly shape their journey to success,” states Shen Gao, Head of LIVE Operations, Americas at TikTok.

Tom Poleman, Chief Programming Officer at iHeartMedia, adds: “Together, we’re creating a pipeline that turns emerging voices into tomorrow’s headliners, and with iHeartRadio, we have the reach and influence to bring those artists to the masses.”

The competition streams live on TikTok, with updates available through the @iHeartRadio TikTok account.

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