Cage Riot Live Presents
Everything artists and bands need to know before submitting to Live From Anywhere.
LIVE FROM ANYWHERE is a Cage Riot Live contest for artists and bands submitting one live performance of an original song. Selected entries may be uploaded to the Cage Riot YouTube channel for official contest consideration.
Submissions open May 20, 2026.
Entries close June 26, 2026 at 11:59 PM PST.
Late submissions may not be accepted.
First place prize includes:
Additional prizes, features, or opportunities may be announced by Cage Riot.
Prize details, timing, travel, performance logistics, billboard placement, and promotional execution are subject to availability, scheduling, eligibility, and final confirmation by Cage Riot.
The featured festival slot does not automatically include travel, lodging, production costs, per diem, or additional compensation unless stated in writing by Cage Riot.
Live From Anywhere is open to artists and bands worldwide.
Submit one live performance video of one original song.
Selected entries may be uploaded to the Cage Riot YouTube channel for official contest consideration.
The contest moves through public engagement, a Top 20 selection, and a final Top 3 review by the Cage Riot team.
The contest is open to artists and bands worldwide.
Entrants must be 18 years of age or older, or have permission from a parent or legal guardian.
Artists and bands may enter one live performance submission unless Cage Riot announces otherwise.
Employees, contractors, judges, and immediate family members of Cage Riot may be restricted from prize eligibility at Cage Riot's discretion.
The submitted song must be an original work by the artist or band.
The live performance must be a version of a song already released by the artist or band.
Cover songs and AI-generated music are not eligible.
The submitted video must be a newly recorded live performance created for this contest.
Previously released live videos, official music videos, archival footage, or recordings made primarily for other purposes are not eligible.
The recording should feel current and intentional — made for Live From Anywhere.
Entrants must submit one live performance video of one original song.
The performance can be recorded anywhere — a room, park, garage, rooftop, rehearsal space, bathroom, truck bed, or another creative location.
The location should support the energy of the performance, but the performance itself must be live.
At the beginning of the submitted video, the artist or band must clearly introduce themselves and state that the performance is for Cage Riot's Live From Anywhere.
For bands, the spoken intro should follow this format: "Hi, we're [band name], and this is our live session for Cage Riot's Live From Anywhere."
For solo artists, the spoken intro should follow this format: "Hi, I'm [artist name], and this is my live session for Cage Riot's Live From Anywhere."
This intro must be included in the same video file as the performance. It helps confirm that the video was created specifically for Live From Anywhere and was not repurposed from an older video, livestream, social media clip, rehearsal video, or previously published performance.
Live From Anywhere is not asking for a professional video production, studio session, or polished music video.
A simple live performance recorded on an iPhone or Android phone is acceptable and encouraged. Turn your phone sideways, record in landscape, and perform the song live.
Think of the spirit of NPR Tiny Desk: simple, authentic, and focused on the artist, the song, and the performance.
Your video can be recorded in a bedroom, garage, backyard, bathroom, park, rooftop, rehearsal room, truck bed, or anywhere that supports the energy of the performance.
Production quality will not matter more than the live performance itself. Cage Riot is looking for real performances, not expensive videos.
Submitted videos must be landscape format.
Submitted videos must be MP4 files. Do not submit MOV files.
Do not submit a YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Vimeo, or social media link as the official video file.
Cage Riot needs the original downloadable MP4 file so approved entries can be uploaded to the Cage Riot YouTube channel.
Preferred video links are Google Drive or Dropbox. The download link must be accessible to anyone with the link — Cage Riot should not have to request access.
If Cage Riot cannot access or download the submitted file, the entry may be delayed, rejected, or disqualified.
The submission must be a live performance.
No lip syncing is allowed.
No traditional music videos are allowed.
No AI-generated music is allowed.
The song must be original.
Cage Riot may reject any entry that appears to be fake live performance, lip synced, AI-generated, misleading, or otherwise inconsistent with the purpose of the contest.
All submissions are subject to review by Cage Riot.
Submission does not guarantee approval, upload, promotion, finalist status, or prize eligibility.
Cage Riot may reject or remove entries that are incomplete, inaccessible, misleading, offensive, infringing, fraudulent, low quality, unsafe, or inconsistent with the contest rules.
Approved entries may be uploaded to the Cage Riot YouTube channel, website, social media platforms, or other Cage Riot promotional channels.
Public posting is intended to showcase participating artists and share performances with the Cage Riot community. Public views, likes, comments, shares, follower count, or other social engagement metrics will not determine finalist selection.
Cage Riot will review eligible submissions based on the strength of the live performance, originality, creativity, artist presence, musicianship, and the overall spirit of the submission.
Cage Riot may review entries for suspicious activity, bots, fake views, paid manipulation, harassment, or other abuse. Cage Riot reserves the right to remove, exclude, or disqualify any entry that violates the rules or attempts to manipulate the integrity of the contest.
Cage Riot will review all eligible submissions that follow the contest rules. Eligible videos may be uploaded to the Cage Riot YouTube channel and/or shared through Cage Riot promotional channels.
The Cage Riot team will watch and review each eligible submission to determine the Top 20. Public engagement may help showcase artists, but views, likes, comments, shares, or follower count will not determine finalist selection.
The Top 20 finalists may be featured on Cage Riot social media and promotional channels. From the Top 20, the Cage Riot team will review and vote to select the Top 3.
The final winner will be selected by Cage Riot.
Entrants must own or control the submitted song and performance, or have permission from all necessary rightsholders.
By submitting, entrants confirm they have the authority to allow Cage Riot to review, upload, publish, display, promote, and feature the submitted video in connection with the contest.
Entrants retain ownership of their music and submitted materials.
Submitting to the contest does not transfer ownership of the song, recording, video, name, image, or likeness to Cage Riot.
Approved entries may be uploaded to the Cage Riot YouTube channel for official contest consideration.
By submitting, entrants authorize Cage Riot to upload, publish, display, promote, and feature the submitted live performance video on the Cage Riot YouTube channel and related Cage Riot promotional channels in connection with the contest.
Cage Riot may edit titles, descriptions, thumbnails, captions, tags, and promotional copy related to the YouTube upload.
If the submitted song is registered with YouTube Content ID, the entrant is responsible for ensuring the Cage Riot YouTube channel is allowlisted.
If the entrant does not directly control YouTube Content ID, the entrant must arrange for their distributor, label, manager, Content ID provider, or other rightsholder to allowlist the Cage Riot YouTube channel.
Entries that receive a YouTube Content ID claim, block, restriction, monetization conflict, or ownership dispute may be delayed, removed, rejected, or disqualified unless the issue is resolved.
No clearance. No upload.
Cage Riot may disqualify any entry for:
Incomplete submission
Broken or inaccessible video link
Wrong video format
Non-original song
AI-generated music
Lip syncing
Traditional music video submission
Copyright or ownership dispute
YouTube Content ID claim or block that is not resolved
Fake engagement or bot activity
Offensive, hateful, unsafe, or unlawful content
Violation of platform or contest rules
By submitting, entrants allow Cage Riot to use the artist name, band name, submitted photo, submitted video, song title, likeness, social handles, and related materials to promote the contest.
This may include use on Cage Riot websites, social media, YouTube, email, press, editorial, advertising, and related promotional channels.
Submitting to the contest does not guarantee upload, promotion, playlisting, distribution, artist services, label services, a festival slot, or any business relationship with Cage Riot.
Cage Riot may contact selected artists about additional opportunities, but no opportunity is guaranteed unless confirmed in writing.
Cage Riot may update the rules, timeline, prize details, review process, or contest structure if needed.
Any major updates will be posted on the contest site.
For contest questions, contact Cage Riot through the email listed on the submission page.
Ready to enter?