Note: This is a fictional first-person story meant for creative review. It uses real details about how these shows work. For a real-life version of this kind of night, peep the official recap written by an artist who actually ran through the same show.
Why I even tried it
I make rap songs in my tiny home setup—closet vocal booth, socks on the mic, the whole thing. I kept seeing Coast 2 Coast LIVE flyers pop up. Atlanta. Orlando. New York. Win studio time. Get judge feedback. Before I hit the signup button, I dug through some showcase reviews and skimmed their official About page to see if the platform fit my goals.
That rabbit hole sent me to a brutally honest blog—My Real Take on Coast 2 Coast Music—which basically dared me to sign up instead of just scroll.
If you want a look at everything the brand offers beyond the showcases, swing by Coast 2 Coast Music for their mixtapes, distribution options, and more.
You know what? I wanted a real stage, not just my mirror and a ring light. So I went for it.
I sent in a track and got a time slot for the Atlanta show. They sent a tidy email with rules. Clean version only. Bring your own USB. Keep it under five minutes. Show up early. Simple, but also easy to mess up if you’re nervous.
The setup, plain and simple
The venue had the usual look—dark room, blue lights, fog that smells like a hot iron. The floor had that stick. The host kept things moving and cracked jokes that made the crowd loosen up. Check-in was quick. Wristband. Set time. Deep breath.
The DJ asked for the track on a USB. WAV file, please. He had Serato running. The mic? Shure SM58. Nothing fancy, but it does the job. I like how it feels in hand. Heavy enough to plant you. Light enough to move.
There were about 16 artists. Most of us got one or two songs. I had one main record, a hook that chants tight and loud. The judges? A radio DJ, an A&R scout, and a club promoter. They sat at a small table with score sheets. Categories were clear: song quality, originality, stage presence, and crowd response.
The actual performance
When my name got called, my chest did that drum line thing. I stepped out, said my name, and counted four. The beat hit. I walked the stage corners like I practiced in the kitchen. I kept my breath steady and my hands out of my pockets—learned that from getting roasted at open mics.
I saw three people nod in the back. One guy near the bar mouthed the hook by the second chorus. That felt good. The track ended clean. I didn’t talk over the last bar. Little stuff like that matters.
What the judges told me (and yeah, it helped)
- Radio DJ: “Hook is strong. Tighten your breath in verse two. Lose the ad-libs on top of the lead next time. It muddies the words.”
- A&R scout: “You’ve got a lane. Try a shorter intro so the vocal hits quicker. Also, get a stronger cover image for your track. First look matters.”
- Promoter: “Great energy. Bring at least 10 fans next time. Not for the votes, but for the feel. People follow energy.”
They gave scores on a sheet. They also sent a performance video and the scorecard the next day by email. If you’re wondering what that clip typically looks like, I found a breakdown in this first-person video review before the show, so I knew what angles to expect.
That email made me smile. Not because I won (I didn’t), but because it’s a real asset. I clipped a 25-second highlight and used it for my EPK and Instagram.
The good stuff
- Tight feedback in plain words. No fluff. No riddles. I like that.
- The video and score sheet are gold for later. Proof I get on real stages.
- The host kept time and didn’t clown artists. That matters.
- I met a young videographer who now shoots my reels for cheap. He was there for another artist and liked my set.
The parts that bugged me
I’ll be straight. Parts felt “pay-to-play.” Lots of add-ons. “Want a feature on a mixtape?” “Want promo?” It’s fine if you know your budget. Just don’t think one upsell will make you go big. It won’t.
Sets are short. The room is mixed—half artists, half friends of artists. It’s not a fanbase waiting for you. Sometimes a judge looks down at the sheet while you’re killing a bar. That stings a bit, even if they’re working.
Also, the scoreboard vibe can get weird. Art isn’t a math test. Still, the categories help you fix things fast.
Real results I saw
- I picked up 37 new followers that week. Not crazy, but real.
- One collab. We cut a hook the next Sunday. Simple and fun.
- Two DJs said they’d spin my clean version at a bar set. One of them actually did. He sent a phone clip. I posted it, then a local blog reshared it. Tiny snowball. But it rolled.
Did I win? Nope. Did I leave better? Yeah.
Money talk, lightly
You’ll pay to enter. You may pay for extras. Travel and parking add up. Wings and water aren’t free either. If money’s tight, bring your own crew to film on phones and skip the extras. Pick one goal and stick to it. Is it content? Feedback? Meeting a DJ? Don’t chase five things in one night.
Some artists save the entry fee and instead put money toward the bigger annual event—read one attendee’s breakdown of the Coast 2 Coast Music Conference 2020 if you’re weighing that option.
If you’re tempted to cut promo costs by dumping your track links into any random music chat room, pause and skim why most free chat websites suck—the article breaks down how bot-filled rooms, zero moderation, and sketchy data grabs can waste your time and derail your rollout.
Tiny tips that saved me
- Bring 10 people if you can. Energy spreads.
- One song. Your best one. Short intro. Big hook.
- Clean version on a USB. Also on your phone. And emailed to yourself.
- Practice mic control. Don’t eat the mic. Don’t hold it at your chest.
- Say your name once, clear, and where to find you.
- Talk to judges after. Don’t talk their ear off. One question. One card.
After a show, my shoulders always feel like I did shoulder presses for an hour straight, so I look for quick ways to unwind before the drive home. If you happen to be staying on the north side of town near Gwinnett, this quick rundown of late-night massage parlors in Suwanee—Rubmaps Suwanee guide—lays out hours, prices, and which spots actually deliver a legit deep-tissue session, saving you from guessing (or wasting cash) when you just need to loosen up.
Who this helps (and who might hate it)
- Good for: new artists who need reps, feedback, and a real clip to post. If you’re building your stage legs, you’ll learn fast.
- Not great for: artists hunting real fans right away. Or folks who hate scores and short sets. Or anyone expecting a label deal from one show.
A little side note
I’ve seen folks online say these shows don’t “break” artists. I agree and also don’t. They won’t make you huge. But reps matter. Momentum matters. One show won’t change your life, but a steady run—plus good songs, a plan, and some grit—can. Personally, I’m eyeing the Miami conference after reading a weekend diary from another performer—Coast 2 Coast Music Conference: My Real Weekend in Miami.
Verdict
I’d give Coast 2 Coast LIVE a 3.5 out of 5 for new artists. The night felt fair. The feedback was clear. The video helped me pitch myself better. I wish the crowd had more true fans and fewer upsells, but that’s the scene right now.
Would I go again? With one fresh single, a better hook, and my team in the front row—yeah. I’d do one more run. Then I’d aim at a small tour I build myself. Different lanes, same goal: better songs, better shows, better me.