TikTok LIVE's Music on Stage returns for 2026 to discover the next generation of global music stars

The global programme returns with Cat Burns and Songkarn as hosts, giving emerging artists the opportunity to progress from TikTok LIVE to professionally released music and major festival stages.TikTok LIVE today announces the return of Music on Stage, its global music programme dedicated to discovering emerging artists, helping them grow passionate fan communities, and supporting them on the journey from livestream performances to real-world music careers.Returning for 2026 with a refreshed format, Music on Stage brings together talented music creators from more than 20 regions around the world, enabling them to perform live, connect with new audiences, and unlock career-changing opportunities through TikTok LIVE and SoundOn, TikTok's all-in-one music distribution and artist services platform.This year's programme builds on a hugely successful inaugural campaign in 2025, which generated more than 8.2 billion impressions, inspired over 230,000 posts using #MusicOnStage, and attracted more than 1.4 million viewers to the Global Finals. The programme also resulted in original music being professionally produced and released for its global winners, demonstrating how TikTok LIVE can help transform emerging creators into recording artists.Auditions officially begin on 15 August, launching with a special All-Day Global Relay Concert that will see artists from around the world perform live in a celebration of music without borders. Spanning three days, the relay will showcase original songwriting, live musicianship and standout performances from some of TikTok LIVE's most exciting music creators.The 2026 Global Finals in September will be hosted by British singer-songwriter Cat Burns for the EMEA and Americas competition, while Thai singer-songwriter Songkarn will host the APAC Finals, helping shine a spotlight on the next generation of emerging global talent, with a second guest judge to be announced very soon. @catburnss if you're a singer, songwriter, or music creator, this video is for you! #MusicOnStage is the biggest global music competition on #TikTokLIVE ♬ original sound - Cat Burns As part of TikTok LIVE's ongoing commitment to supporting artists beyond the platform, the top creators will gain access to professional development opportunities in partnership with SoundOn, including the opportunity to record and release original music with full production, distribution and promotional support. Winning artists will also have the chance to perform on major live stages, including TikTok LIVE Fest and selected music festivals around the world, including opportunities to perform at the Breakaway Carolina Festival, and the All Things Go NYC Festival in September, helping bridge the gap between digital discovery and live performance.Last year's winners are already demonstrating the impact of the programme. Following her Music LIVE on Stage success, Angelyque Solorio released her debut EP through SoundOn, generating more than 350,000 creator videos on TikTok, increasing her Spotify monthly listeners tenfold, and accumulating more than 450,000 streams.Shen Gao, Head of LIVE Operations, Americas at TikTok said: "Music on Stage reflects everything that makes TikTok LIVE unique. Every day we see talented artists build genuine communities, develop loyal fanbases and share their music with audiences around the world in real time. This programme takes that one step further by giving emerging artists the opportunity not only to be discovered, but to develop sustainable careers beyond the platform. We're proud to help the next generation of music talent move from livestreams to record releases and festival stages."Cat Burns said: “Music on Stage is TikTok LIVE’s biggest global music competition and a chance for you to share your music with the world. We all know that TikTok has played a massive part in my journey and I am so grateful to the platform, so this year I will be joining music on stage as a guest judge, and I am so excited! Finals will be on the 18th September and the winner gets all the support in recording and releasing their own original song. So register now, go LIVE and I can't wait to see what you create.”Songkarn said: "My own musical journey started with taking a chance on a platform to share my voice, so being a host for the APAC Finals feels like coming full circle. TikTok LIVE gives creators a real stage to build an authentic connection with fans, raw talent, and real emotion. I'm thrilled to support these incredible APAC artists as they step up, own the stage, and turn their passion into sustainable careers."Music on Stage is part of TikTok LIVE's continued investment in helping emerging artists connect with fans, grow their audiences and build sustainable music careers. By tuning into performances, interacting with creators and supporting them throughout the programme, audiences become part of artists' journeys from their very first livestreams through to professional music releases and live performances.Creators can register for Music on Stage until 14 August, with auditions opening on 15 August. Fans can follow the action throughout the competition by searching #MusicOnStage in the TikTok app and tuning into the Global Relay Concert and subsequent LIVE broadcasts.