{"id":105515,"date":"2025-07-31T14:08:10","date_gmt":"2025-07-31T13:08:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/routenote.com\/blog\/?p=105515"},"modified":"2025-07-31T14:08:13","modified_gmt":"2025-07-31T13:08:13","slug":"tiktok-launch-singing-competition-for-emerging-artists","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/routenote.com\/blog\/tiktok-launch-singing-competition-for-emerging-artists\/","title":{"rendered":"TikTok launch singing competition for emerging artists"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Image credit: TikTok<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

TikTok and iHeartRadio are teaming up to launch ‘Next Up: Live Music’, a competition offering new singers a chance at stardom.<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Independent and emerging artists, listen up! TikTok<\/a> are providing a brand new launchpad for emerging talent, teaming up with radio giant iHeartRadio<\/a> for a brand new singing competition powered by TikTok LIVE<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The competition, called ‘Next Up: Live Music<\/a>‘, offers a massive opportunity for artists to perform for a global audience, grow their fanbase in real-time, and win the chance to perform at the legendary iHeartRadio Theater in Los Angeles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This isn’t your typical talent show. The program turns music discovery into a fully interactive journey where the TikTok community has a real slay in who moves on. For artists, it’s a direct line to a massive audience. For fans, it’s a front-row seat to finding – and supporting – the next big thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How does TikTok’s ‘Next Up: Live Music’ competition work?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The competition puts the power in the hands of the community. Artists will advance through each round based on a combination of fan engagement during their TikTok LIVE performances and scores from a panel of judges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This means every like, comment, share, and gift an artist receives during their livestream coutns towards their progress. It’s a true test of not just talent, but the ability to connect with an audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Head of LIVE Operations at TikTok Shen Gao said: “TikTok has long been a launchpad for musical talent\u2026 Together with iHeart, Next Up: LIVE Music is building on that legacy by turning discovery into a shared, real-time experience.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chief Programming Officer at iHeartMedia Tom Poleman added: “TikTok and iHeartRadio are powerful engines for artist discovery\u2026 Together, we\u2019re creating a pipeline that turns emerging voices into tomorrow\u2019s headliners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next Up: Live Music key dates<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The competition is already underway and will unfold in three advancing phases:<\/p>\n\n\n\n