TikTok LIVE Japan's official account (@tiktok_live_japan) will livestream the Japan finals of "Music on Stage 2026" -- a global music program from the short-video platform TikTok that discovers and supports music artists -- starting at 7:00 PM on Friday, August 28, 2026. DJ KOO, who himself streams performances actively on TikTok LIVE, joins as a judge, backing new music artists taking on the challenge.
Music on Stage is a program built around performances on TikTok LIVE, designed to help artists build fan communities and grow their careers, leading toward full music releases and opportunities to perform on real music stages. In 2026, music LIVE creators from more than 20 countries and regions around the world are taking part; in Japan, auditions that began on August 15 and the domestic qualifiers that followed have brought together numerous creators building up their performances day after day.
The Japan finals bring together the finalists who advanced through those domestic qualifiers to decide Japan's representative. DJ KOO, serving as judge, brings many years at the forefront of the DJ/artist scene with broad support across generations, and will judge the finalists' live performances on their stage presence and connection with the audience.
The creator who wins the Japan finals advances to the global final, scheduled for September. Creators who place highly at the global final will receive support for recording and releasing an original song in partnership with SoundOn, TikTok's music distribution and artist support platform, along with comprehensive support for production, distribution, and promotion. They will also have opportunities to perform at TikTok LIVE Fest, TikTok LIVE's largest festival bringing together live creators from around the world, and at music festivals in various regions.
Music on Stage 2026 Japan Finals: Event Overview
- Event: Music on Stage 2026 Japan Finals
- Streaming date/time (planned): Friday, August 28, 2026, from 7:00 PM
- Streaming account: TikTok LIVE Japan official account @tiktok_live_japan
- Judge: DJ KOO
- Performers: 18 Japan finalist acts
- Hashtag: #MusicOnStage
DJ KOO Profile
Leader of the Japanese dance and vocal group TRF, visiting professor at Osaka University of Arts, and special art advisor to 日本盆踊り協会.
He is active both in Japan and abroad, using collaborations with Japanese cultural traditions such as festivals and bon-odori dancing to spread entertainment-driven Japanese culture.
Marking his 45th anniversary as a DJ since August 2025, he has released the upbeat song "最KOO DE DANCE" with idol group BEYOOOOONDS and the collaboration track "KENDAMA DO DANCE!" with enka singer Miyama Hiroshi.
With his 50th anniversary as a DJ approaching in 2030, DJ KOO continues creating heart-pounding moments for every generation and keeping people across Japan excited.
TikTok account: https://www.tiktok.com/@dj_koo_avex
DJ KOO's Comment
"I'm DJ KOO, and I'll be serving as judge for Music on Stage 2026! The way music is made and shared has changed with the times. Now anyone can connect with the world through their own sound and sensibility, from wherever they are, and TikTok LIVE is one of the frontiers of that. What I want to value in judging isn't just technique -- it's the individuality and rich sensibility that only that person has, and the atmosphere unique to a live performance built together with fans. Beyond generations and genres, I want to properly take in everyone's passionate performances, the ones that reach people's hearts even through a screen. From Japan to the world -- let's build the best stage together! Full support, DO DANCE!"
About Music on Stage
Music on Stage is a global program from TikTok LIVE for music LIVE creators. When it first ran in 2025, related content drew more than 8.2 billion impressions, posts using the hashtag "#MusicOnStage" topped 230,000, and the global final drew more than 1.4 million TikTok LIVE viewers. The global winner received an original song produced and released for them, making TikTok LIVE a launchpad connecting new talent to full-fledged artist careers.
Full program details are available in the TikTok Newsroom article below.
