The American Idol Bus Tour is a nationwide tour that travels across the United States in search of the next singing star. The tour provides an opportunity for aspiring singers to audition for the hit TV show, American Idol. The bus tour typically includes two separate buses, one for the West Coast and the other for the East Coast, allowing the show to cover a wider geographic area and discover hidden talents. The auditions are open to individuals aged 15 to 28, and the process involves performing in front of producers and judges, with the selected contestants advancing to the next round in Hollywood. The American Idol Bus Tour has been an essential tool for the show, bringing the excitement of auditions directly to different cities and offering a chance for hopefuls to showcase their talent.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Purpose | Find the next "American Idol" star |
Type of tour | Nationwide bus tour |
Audition type | In-person or online |
Age restriction | 15-28 |
Requirements | No current recording or management contract |
Additional requirements | Cannot be a candidate for public office |
Cities visited | Reno, Portland, Oakland, Provo, Denver, Omaha, Tulsa, Shreveport, Muscle Shoals, Orlando, Miami, Atlanta, Charleston, Asheville, Louisville, Pittsburgh, Annapolis, Boston, Chicago, New Orleans |
What You'll Learn
Auditioning in person vs. online
Auditioning in person and auditioning online are two different ways to audition for American Idol. In-person auditions are held via the American Idol bus tour, which travels to various cities across America. The bus tour allows the show to go where the aired auditions cannot and find those "diamonds in the rough". Online auditions, on the other hand, are virtual auditions where contestants submit a video of themselves singing a song of their choice. Both in-person and online auditions are open to all eligible individuals, and individuals can even choose to audition both in person and online.
In-person auditions through the American Idol bus tour have been held in cities such as Reno, Portland, Oakland, Provo, Denver, Omaha, Tulsa, Shreveport, and Muscle Shoals. The bus tour typically takes place during the summer, and individuals can sign up to receive Audition Alerts for specific dates and locations. During the in-person auditions, contestants perform in front of a group of selectors, including a producer from the show, and are evaluated based on their singing and performance skills.
Online auditions, on the other hand, are virtual auditions that can be submitted through the American Idol website or other designated platforms. Online auditions typically involve answering a few personal questions and singing a song of the contestant's choice. Online auditions may be more convenient for individuals who are unable to travel to the in-person audition locations or who prefer to audition from the comfort of their homes.
Both in-person and online auditions serve the same purpose of allowing individuals to showcase their talent and potentially advance to the next round of the competition. The judges and producers of American Idol evaluate all auditions, whether in-person or online, based on the individual's singing ability, stage presence, and overall performance.
While the in-person auditions through the bus tour provide a more interactive and engaging experience, allowing individuals to connect with other contestants and feel the excitement of auditioning live, online auditions offer a more accessible and convenient option for those who may have geographical or time constraints. Ultimately, the decision to audition in person or online depends on the individual's preferences, availability, and comfort level.
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Eligibility requirements
To be eligible to audition for the American Idol Bus Tour, you must meet the following requirements:
- Age: The eligible age range for contestants is 15 to 28 years old. This age restriction has remained consistent since the fourth season of the show.
- Nationality: Contestants must be legal U.S. residents.
- Previous participation: Contestants cannot have advanced to particular stages of the competition in previous seasons.
- Recording contracts: Contestants must not have held a current recording or talent representation contract by the semi-final stage. This rule was stricter in earlier seasons, where contestants could not have such contracts by the audition stage.
- Management contracts: Contestants must not have a current management contract unless it was obtained prior to their first audition in front of the program judges.
- Political involvement: Contestants must not be currently running for public office and must agree not to become a candidate for public office until one year after the initial exhibition of the final episode of the program in which they appear.
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Audition locations
In 2014, the American Idol XIV Bus Tour held auditions in Reno, Nevada, with the "West Coast" bus making its next stop in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
In 2017, the American Idol 16 Bus Tour had two routes: the West Bus Tour and the East Bus Tour. The West Bus Tour included cities such as Portland, Oregon, Oakland, California, and Provo, Utah, while the East Bus Tour covered Orlando, Florida, Miami, Florida, and Atlanta, Georgia.
In 2018, the nationwide bus tour included a stop in San Diego, California, on the West Coast.
The audition locations for the American Idol Bus Tour are chosen to reach as many aspiring singers as possible across the country, providing a platform for undiscovered talent to showcase their abilities.
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Audition process
The audition process for the American Idol Bus Tour is a chance for hopefuls to audition for the hit TV show. The Bus Tour is an important tool for the show, as it allows the "West Coast" and "East Coast" buses to go where the aired auditions cannot and find those "diamonds in the rough".
There are two ways to audition: online or in person. The online route involves submitting an audition video. For in-person auditions, the American Idol bus hits the road and travels to various cities. In the past, these have included Reno, Portland, Oakland, Provo, Denver, Omaha, Tulsa, Shreveport, and Muscle Shoals.
The eligible age range for contestants is 15 to 28 years old. Contestants must be legal US residents and cannot have a current recording or management contract.
The audition process involves several stages. Firstly, contestants have a brief audition with a few other contestants in front of selectors, which may include one of the show's producers. Successful contestants then sing in front of producers, and only then can they proceed to audition in front of the judges. This is the only audition stage that is televised. Those selected by the judges are sent to Hollywood, with between 10 and 60 people in each city making it through.
Once in Hollywood, contestants perform individually or in groups in a series of rounds. There are usually three rounds of eliminations in Hollywood. In the first round, contestants perform individually after emerging in groups. In the next round, they form small groups and perform a song together. The final round sees contestants performing solo with a song of their choice, either a cappella or accompanied by a band.
From the Hollywood rounds onwards, the contestants perform their songs live, and the judges critique their performances.
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What happens after auditions
The American Idol Bus Tour provides an opportunity for hopefuls to audition for the hit TV show. The bus tour travels across the country, visiting various cities and holding open auditions. While the show is a competition, the community comes together to support one another, as seen during the Reno auditions, where hundreds of locals and visitors auditioned.
After the initial auditions, there are a few more steps to go before heading to Hollywood. Here's what happens:
Online Audition
First, contestants must submit an online audition tape, which includes answering some personal questions and performing a song of their choice. This is a requirement for more recent seasons of the show.
Callback
After submitting the online audition, there is typically a long wait, around six months, before finding out if you will be called back. This second round of auditions is conducted by producers, who decide whether a contestant will advance to the judges' panel audition.
Producers' Audition
If you receive a callback, you will audition for the producers, who hold the power to send you to the next round—the judges' panel audition.
Judges' Panel Audition
This is the round that everyone waits for—the chance to perform for the judges. Contestants must prepare to perform a cappella or bring their own musical instrument if they play one. The judges will decide whether the contestant advances to the next round, and there is a majority rule in place to avoid a split decision.
Hollywood
If you make it past the judges' panel, you'll be given the coveted yellow ticket to Hollywood! This is where the competition truly begins, and contestants will face more challenges and rounds of eliminations.
The American Idol journey is an exciting one, and the bus tour is just the beginning. For those with the talent and determination, the bus tour auditions are a chance to take the first step towards their dream of becoming the next American Idol.
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