Your Shot, The World’s Only No-Experience DJ Competition, Launches U.S. Edition This Fall
Image Cred: Steve Pillemer
For the past fifteen years, Your Shot has given thousands of people in Australia their first real opportunity to step behind the decks. The concept is simple but powerful: complete beginners receive six weeks of professional training, then perform at a showcase event in front of fans, industry judges, and scouts. What started in 2010 as a small initiative has grown into a cultural institution, welcoming over 12,500 contestants and drawing more than 250,000 attendees. Alumni like Tigerlily, Sippy, Club Angel, and Go Freek have since launched careers on global stages, proving the program’s impact goes far beyond its initial showcase.
This fall, in partnership with AlphaTheta, Your Shot will make its long-awaited debut in the United States. Los Angeles and New York City will each host 200 participants who will go through the program’s six-week academy. The move marks a major expansion of the world’s only no-experience-necessary DJ competition and academy, designed to break down barriers of access, cost, and confidence that often keep people from pursuing music.
Online registration is now open for Your Shot US 2025 and AU/NZ/UK 2026. In person selection will take place at Catch One in Los Angeles on September 13th, and Elsewhere in New York on September 20th.
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Six Weeks of Training, Then the Stage
Unlike typical competitions, Your Shot is rooted in accessibility. Contestants do not need prior experience, expensive equipment, or even industry connections. Once selected, they are trained by professionals who cover the fundamentals of DJing—mixing, track selection, and stage presence. The learning process emphasizes creativity and confidence as much as technique, ensuring participants walk away with skills they can apply both in and outside of music.
The six weeks of training build toward a major showcase event. Each participant performs in a live setting with full production, giving them the chance to experience the pressure and excitement of playing in front of a real crowd. These showcases have historically attracted talent scouts, festival bookers, and industry professionals. Winners earn slots at global festivals including Ultra, CRSSD, BPM, Hideout, Snowbombing, and Snow Machine.
For many, the program is about more than prizes. It creates community. Contestants often develop long-lasting friendships and support networks that extend far beyond the initial competition. The academy has also welcomed participants dealing with mental health challenges, disability, and social barriers, showing how DJing can serve as both a creative outlet and a path to greater confidence.
Expanding to America
The U.S. debut of Your Shot is backed by a team of advisors shaping its first American edition. Among them are producer and FEMME HOUSE co-founder LP Giobbi, Harvey Cohen of Live Nation’s Vibee, and The Circuit Group, who manage Chris Lake and FISHER. With their input, the program is expected to take on a uniquely American character while keeping its inclusive roots intact.
In person selections will be held in September—Los Angeles at Catch One on September 13, and New York at Elsewhere on September 20. From there, chosen participants will enter The Academy and begin their six-week training. Registration is open now online for the 2025 U.S. edition, as well as for future runs in Australia, New Zealand, and the U.K.
Founder Steve Pillemer explains the ethos clearly: “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.” The same mission that transformed countless lives in Australia is now set to reach a new generation of aspiring DJs in the United States.
