I’m Kayla, and yes, I’ve actually been on that stage. I did the Coast 2 Coast music contest twice. Once in Atlanta. Once in Houston. I went in nervous. I left with a camera roll full of videos, some new contacts, and very mixed feelings. (If you’re curious about how Coast 2 Coast Live got its start, their official about page gives the quick origin story.)
If you’re wondering how someone else fared, here’s another unfiltered recap of entering the Coast 2 Coast contest.
Was it worth it? Kinda. Let me explain.
What this thing is, in plain talk
It’s a live showcase. You pay for a slot. Anyone looking to lock in a date can do it online through the performance submission page, which lists current cities, fees, and deadlines. You bring people if you can. Judges are DJs, producers, or A&R folks. You get one song. Two minutes, maybe three. They score you on stage presence, song quality, crowd energy, and all that. The winner gets promo and a spot at a bigger show in Miami. Travel? That was on me.
You know what? It felt like school talent show meets industry night. Loud. Fast. A little messy. But also exciting.
If you want the official rundown of rules, cities, and how to secure a slot, head over to the Coast 2 Coast Music website and see what’s coming up. For yet another straight-shooting perspective on what the night feels like from inside the room, read this candid “real take” on Coast 2 Coast Music.
My night in Atlanta: nerves, sweat, and one red hoodie
Venue was a small club near downtown. Dark walls. Sticky floor. Great bass. Check-in was easy. I paid for my slot ahead of time and added the video package at the door. I remember it was not cheap for me, but I wanted clips for my socials.
Call time was 8 pm. I went on at 11:45. Long wait. I kept sipping lemon water because my throat gets dry under lights. I wore a red hoodie so I could spot myself in the clips later. Silly, but it worked.
My set was one song, “Late Rent.” Heavy 808s. Hook first. I asked the DJ to start at the chorus, and that saved time. The crowd was mixed. Some folks cheered. Some checked their phones. That’s normal at these shows.
The judges’ notes:
- “Hook is strong, mix is muddy.”
- “Good breath control.”
- “Engage the left side of the room.”
It stung a bit, but it was fair. My stems were not perfect. I knew that.
I got my score email the next day. Stage presence 7/10. Song 6/10. Crowd 5/10. Not great, not awful. I placed middle of the pack. I went home tired, but weirdly proud.
Houston show: small wins
Second time felt better. I brought three friends. That changed the energy. People cheer louder when they know your hook. One judge liked my ad-libs and told me, “Lose the long intro. Hit them fast.” He was right. I cut my intro to four bars after that.
Also, shout-out to the host. He kept the night moving. Quick resets. Short jokes. That stuff matters when you’re yawning at midnight.
Stuff I liked
- The room is real. No fake love. If they feel you, you hear it. If not, you know.
- I met a DJ who later added my track to his Twitch set. That gave me 40 new followers in a week. Small thing. Still nice.
- The video package was clean. I used the clips for press kits. It looked professional enough for EPKs (if you want to see how the video side can make or break it, check out this first-person take on the Coast 2 Coast Music video experience).
- I got practice on a loud stage. That’s priceless. Mic technique is a skill. You only learn it with noise.
Stuff that bugged me
- It’s pay-to-perform. That vibe isn’t for everyone. If you’re broke, this will sting.
- The schedule runs late. I get it. Lots of acts. Still, my body clock hated it.
- Sound check was fast. No time to tweak. If your mix is off, the room will show it.
- Judge feedback can be short. Sometimes two lines. I wanted more detail.
One more real-talk survival tip: the downtime between check-in and your set can crawl. I watched some performers pass the hours scrolling everything from memes to flirting apps; if you’re over 18 and want an adults-only distraction while you wait, you can hop on UberHorny—the hookup site pairs you with nearby singles in minutes, turning that endless green-room lull into something a lot more entertaining.
I know. That sounds harsh. But I’d rather tell you the truth.
Another chill alternative, especially if your shoulders tighten up from pre-show jitters, is to sneak off for a quick massage; before you map it out, skim this no-BS guide to Rubmaps La Mirada—it breaks down which parlors stay open late, what they actually offer, and how much cash you’ll need so you can head back to the venue loose and on time.
The prizes and “big break” talk
At my shows, the winner got a slot at the Miami finals weekend and promo across their channels. I didn’t see travel covered. I also saw beat packs and radio talk for some winners. It’s a boost, yes. Not a magic door. You still need a plan, a clean mix, and a fanbase that cares after the lights go out. Someone else broke down what actually happened at a Coast 2 Coast music video showcase in this article, and the takeaways line up with mine.
A tiny detour: the Chicago night I watched
I didn’t perform that time. I went to support a friend, Tasha, who does R&B with gritty runs. She sang over a sparse guitar track. Bold choice in a trap-heavy room. Guess what? She placed second because she stood out. One judge said, “You gave us a lane we needed.” That stuck with me. Different can work.
Would I do it again?
Maybe. If I have a new single and at least five people who will show up and shout with me, yes. If not, I’d pass and use the money on mixing, artwork, or a targeted ad run. Both paths help, but in different ways.
If you’re thinking about it, here’s what helped me
- Bring your track in WAV and MP3. USB and email. Redundant saves the day.
- Start with the hook. Short intro. No long talking unless the crowd is with you.
- Wear something you can move in. Hot lights make you sweat weird.
- Practice a 10-second crowd call. “When I say ‘rent,’ you say ‘due.’” Corny? Maybe. It works.
- Network soft. Don’t push cards in faces. Ask names. Follow up the next day with a clip.
Final call
Coast 2 Coast music contest isn’t a scam, but it’s not a fairy tale either. It’s a paid stage with real people and real noise. If you’re ready to learn fast, you’ll get value. If you need hand-holding, you’ll feel lost.
I walked out with lessons, a few friends, and video proof I can own a stage for two minutes. For one night, that was enough. Honestly, sometimes enough is good.