TikTok’s latest overture to the music industry is its take on ‘American Idol’

TikTok is trading on its reputation as an incubator of up-and-coming musical talent by launching a new competition. The social app is teaming up with iHeartRadio to produce Next Up: LIVE Music, a musical contest that will use metrics such as likes, views, comments, and shares to determine which artists advance to a live-streamed finale.

Next Up: LIVE Music will progress across multiple rounds, with feedback from both viewers and judges influencing the eliminations. 50 artists will advance to the semifinals, and the final round will whittle that number down to 12.

Perks offered to the winners will include training and support that will help artists succeed on TikTok. The real prize, however, is the opportunity to participate in the September 28 finale: A concert that will be held at the iHeartRadio Theater in Burbank and streamed globally on TikTok LIVE.

“TikTok LIVE gives fans the power to engage directly, support their favorite performers, and truly shape their journey to success,” said TikTok exec Shen Gao in a statement. “TikTok has long been a launchpad for musical talent, helping undiscovered artists break through and reach global audiences. Together with iHeartRadio, Next Up: LIVE Music is building on that legacy by turning discovery into a shared, real-time experience.”

Next Up: LIVE Music 

represents a strategic pivot as TikTok looks to consolidate its cultural influence. It previously hobnobbed with the biggest names in the recording industry as it touted its ability to turn FYP faves into pop icons. After a planned app called TikTok Music failed to make an impact, the ByteDance-owned app is now shining its spotlight on independent talent. New features for songwriters are part of that effort, as is Next Up: LIVE Music.

The competition also offers some added utility for its organizers. TikTok LIVE has become a major moneymaker for its namesake company, and Next Up joins other LIVE promotional efforts, such as the annual LIVE Fest.

There’s also a long history of musical creators who broke out after first appearing on competition shows, with Lindsey Stirling serving as one of the more prominent examples. If TikTok can turn more artists into homegrown creators, it can add a powerful asset as it continues to fight regulatory battles.

Any artist who wishes to enter Next Up must be over 18 with at least 50,000 TikTok followers and one original song to their name. The audition period for the contest will run from July 28 and August 11. From that point on, the countdown to the live finale will begin.