Big Apple Idol Fest

It’s time to sparkle, shine, and celebrate J-Idol culture at Anime NYC’s BIG APPLE 🍎 IDOL FEST, debuting in 2026!

Experience the feel of a Taiban (対バン) in Japan, right here in NYC! BAIF is a concert-style showcase of idols from all over! Idols of all levels of experience will be welcome. All of our idols will all be bringing their best performances to the stage at Anime NYC, radiating with passion – You don’t want to miss it on Sunday, August 23!

Make sure to bring your penlights, lightsticks and glowsticks to support the idols, and be sure to cheer as loud as you can!

2026 Auditions

Applications closed May 22, 2026 at 11:59pm ET, and status emails will be sent out no later than June 5, 2026 11:59pm ET. All applicants will receive an email.

APPLICATIONS CLOSED

FAQs & Idol Fest Rules

  • Please try to provide FULL VIDEO of your performances, even if it’s just one song. Please also try to provide clear, high quality video (phone cameras are fine). If you do not have any recent video, you can also supply an “audition” tape, such as you practicing one of the songs in your setlist.
  • We are primarily looking for J-pop idol content, and cosplay covers from Japanese media. This is not a Masquerade, so please no skits.

  • Your performance length cannot exceed ten minutes, and must fall within family friendly guidelines (no cursing, sexual themes, et cetera).
  • There is no minimum length, but we do request at least one full length (not TV size) song, a minimum of two minutes long.

  • If accepted to perform, you will receive a complimentary badge for Anime NYC.
  • We are unable to provide any other compensation including but not limited to food, travel, or hotel. If you have purchased a badge prior to acceptance, we will not be able to provide a refund.

Please reach out to [email protected] with any further questions – We’ll be happy to help!

Wota Sans Frontieres

Meet our champion for the Big Apple Idol Fest: WSF!
Founded in 2025, Wota Sans Frontieres is an event production organization based in the Northeast, dedicated to running quality Japanese idol-culture centric events throughout North America with one single goal in mind at each one: to remove the borders from idol culture.

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