In a popular social media music show, participants can win five dollars by guessing the artist of a song. This engaging premise applies to anyone, be they a passerby in New York, a prominent celebrity, or the Vice President of the United States. In this show, headphones and a microphone are provided, and the participants hope to correctly identify the song being played.
The show, titled Track Star, is hosted by Jack Coyne and discussed in an episode of The Vergecast as part of a three-part miniseries on the future of music. Coyne shares the journey of Track Star‘s development.
Originally conceived as a New York trivia show called Public Opinion, Coyne and his team refined the structure and pace of the show. Coyne reflects on his role as host and the surprising attraction it has held for notable personalities such as Ed Sheeran, Olivia Rodrigo, Jack Antonoff, Nelly Furtado, Kamala Harris, and Oprah. Despite the involvement of these high-profile guests, the essence of the show has remained unchanged.
The discussion further delves into the show’s resonance and significance within the current music landscape. Coyne and his team have ambitious plans to expand the Track Star franchise, envisioning its place even in a saturated online audio space. With a foundation of music, conversation, and an effective playlist, the potential for growth is considerable.