After hosting competitions and training DJs in Australia and New Zealand, the Your Shot program makes its US debut with events in Los Angeles and New York.
After more than a decade of changing artists’ lives in Australia and New Zealand, Your Shot is finally arriving in the United States. The DJ competition and music academy will host its first American editions this fall in Los Angeles and New York City, giving aspiring DJs the chance to step behind the decks for the very first time and showcase their skills, with or without prior experience.
This fall, 200 participants in each US city will be selected for six weeks of hands-on training at the academy, followed by a showcase of their skills at a sold-out, festival-style event. Additionally, winners can earn a coveted DJ slot at top global festivals, with past winners having performed at CRSSD Festival, Hideout, and The BPM Festival, among others.
“Your Shot is about giving people a platform to challenge themselves, learn the basics, build a community outside their bedrooms, and take their passion for DJing and dance music to the next level,” said Steve Pillemer, founder and CEO of Your Shot. “That’s what young Americans are asking for today, just like young Australians, and it’s so exciting to finally be able to answer the call.”
Your Shot has recruited an advisory team stacked with heavyweights for its US edition: DJ and producer LP Giobbi, Harvey Cohen, President of Live Nation’s Vibee, and The Circuit Group, the powerhouse management team behind Chris Lake and FISHER. Together, they’ll help ensure Your Shot’s American launch stays true to its ethos while carving out new opportunities for rising talent.
Since launching in 2010, Your Shot has welcomed over 12,500 participants, many of whom started as complete beginners and went on to play some of the world’s biggest festivals. Alumni like Tigerlily, Sippy, and Go Freek all began their journeys here, and more than 60% of past contestants now perform regular gigs or hold residencies worldwide.
The program is also supported by longtime partners JBL Audio, Pioneer, and Red Bull to help scale the project. Beyond the competition itself, Your Shot has a track record of working with disadvantaged youth, providing access to training and mentorship that might otherwise be out of reach. That same spirit of inclusion and accessibility will carry into its US debut.
Selections will take place at Catch One in Los Angeles on September 13 and Elsewhere in New York on September 20, with online registration now open. Whether you’ve dreamed of playing a festival stage or simply want to explore your creativity, this is a chance to take the leap.
If you’re interested in taking your talents from your room to the big stage, register now and take your shot on the Your Shot website.
