iHeartRadio and TikTok Partner to Revolutionize Artist Discovery
The digital age has brought about a new era for artist discovery, and the latest collaboration between TikTok and iHeartRadio is set to reshape the landscape. The joint venture, known as "Next Up: Live Music", is a multi-phase singing competition designed to elevate emerging artists primarily through TikTok LIVE.
Criteria for Emerging Artists
To participate in the competition, artists must meet certain criteria. They must be U.S. residents aged 18 or older, own at least one original song, and have at least 50,000 followers on TikTok, ensuring some pre-existing fan engagement.
Competition Phases
The competition unfolds entirely on TikTok LIVE through multiple rounds. Artists perform live, and their progression depends on a combination of TikTok community engagement metrics—likes, views, comments, shares—and judges’ scores. Fans follow artists' journeys in real-time and help shape outcomes by voting and engaging during performances. The top artists advance to a final live event at the iconic iHeartRadio Theater in Los Angeles.
Benefits for Emerging Artists
"Next Up: Live Music" serves as both a talent incubator and an interactive entertainment experience. Artists gain live performance exposure, grow their fanbase through direct fan interaction on TikTok LIVE, and receive expert feedback. Finalists perform in a high-profile live show, offering industry visibility from TikTok and iHeartRadio platforms.
The competition also offers valuable assets for independent artists, such as industry contacts, media exposure, and a tangible demo reel. TikTok offers live-stream coaching and production support to contestants, helping them optimize camera angles, engage an online audience, and craft a narrative that resonates both on screen and on stage.
Expert Panel and Judging
An expert panel consisting of music programmers, producers, and talent scouts evaluates each live set for artistry, originality, and stage command. This panel merges digital immediacy with radio's promotional muscle, providing contestants with invaluable industry feedback.
The Grand Finale
The grand finale takes place at the iHeartRadio Theater in Los Angeles on September 26, 2025. Finalists perform before a live crowd and national broadcast, marking a significant milestone in their careers.
In summary, "Next Up: Live Music" empowers emerging musicians by integrating real-time fan engagement and expert judging to guide artist development, culminating in a prestigious live performance opportunity. This competition signals a shift towards a participatory culture where fans play an active role in shaping musical careers.
Social-media and entertainment are intrinsically tied in the "Next Up: Live Music" competition, as emerging artists showcase their talent live on TikTok LIVE, gaining exposure and interacting directly with their audience for fan engagement. The competition also offers a musical experience, with the grand finale taking place at the iHeartRadio Theater in Los Angeles, providing the artists with industry visibility.
Furthermore, social-media platforms, such as TikTok, and music, an essential aspect of entertainment, combine in the music competition, "Next Up: Live Music," as contestants perform and are judged, with the aim of discovering and elevating new artistic talents. This collaboration between TikTok and iHeartRadio also emphasizes the importance of music in the digital age as a key element of entertainment.
