TikTok joins forces with iHeartRadio to revamp the way talent is discovered
The music industry is about to witness a groundbreaking collaboration between TikTok and iHeartRadio, as they join forces to launch Next Up: Live Music. This interactive singing competition aims to discover and elevate emerging artists, merging the immediacy of social engagement with the credibility of radio's tastemakers.
The competition offers an unprecedented platform for unsigned and under-the-radar artists, providing them with the opportunity to translate online buzz into mainstream opportunities. Artists will perform live during the competition, with their performances judged in real time by a combination of fan engagement metrics and expert evaluation.
Contestants must have at least 50K followers on TikTok, own the rights to their music, and be major-label clearance eligible. To ensure quality, contestants will perform live without the safety net of edits or playback tracks.
The competition will have a multi-stage format, including auditions, semi-finals, and a grand finale. The auditions run until August 11, after which 50 contestants advance to the semi-finals held from August 25 to 29. From there, the Top 12 finalists will perform live in the finale event.
TikTok offers live-stream coaching and production support to contestants, while iHeartRadio provides participants with industry contacts, media exposure, and a tangible demo reel. The competition aims to balance community and expertise by combining fan voting with expert judging, signalling a shift towards a participatory culture where fans play an active role in shaping musical careers.
For listeners, the competition transforms fandom into direct influence, letting them champion voices they believe deserve wider recognition. The collaboration aims to create a pipeline from viral clips to headline acts, architecting a community-driven talent ecosystem that may define the next generation of hitmakers.
The grand finale will take place at the iHeartRadio Theater in Los Angeles on September 26, 2025. Every interaction on TikTok LIVE during the competition matters in the ever-evolving landscape of music discovery. Next Up: Live Music will run from the end of July to September, providing an exciting summer of music for both artists and fans alike.
[1] TikTok and iHeartRadio Partner to Launch Next Up: Live Music Competition [2] Unsigned Artists Get a Chance to Shine in TikTok-iHeartRadio Competition [3] TikTok-iHeartRadio Collaboration Aims to Discover the Next Generation of Hitmakers [4] Next Up: Live Music - A New Era of Music Discovery Begins with TikTok and iHeartRadio
- The TikTok-iHeartRadio collaboration, titled Next Up: Live Music, merges social-media entertainment with the music industry, aiming to create a pipeline from viral clips to headline acts, and discover the next generation of hitmakers.
- Contestants in the Next Up: Live Music competition, hosted by TikTok and iHeartRadio, need to have at least 50K followers on TikTok, own the rights to their music, and be major-label clearance eligible, showcasing their musical talents in a setting that combines fan engagement with expert evaluation.
