For global superstars and emerging talent alike, it’s been a rocky road since the pandemic closed the curtain on stages around the world. As tour buses get rolling again, we explore the current state of live music from the perspective of artists, fans, and venues. Hear from road vets Ben Harper and Sleater-Kinney, independent venue owners Dayna Frank and Chris Cobb, and more. Plus Spotify’s Rene Volker explains how the company is supporting live music.

Go inside Spotify’s LA studios to hear reflections, advice, and aspirations from guests gathered to celebrate EQUAL, Spotify’s program which spotlights women from all over the world and fosters equity for women in audio. Hear from Latin Grammy nominees Bruses and Silvana Estrada, the queen of Poland’s pop scene Margaret, and Joplyn, an electronic musician making a name for herself in Berlin, and country luminary Mickey Guyton.

Moroccan DJ and producer Flomine defied his parents’ dreams and moved from Casablanca to London to make a career in music. At first, he struggled with the costs and competition of the British music scene, but his unique blend of Moroccan traditional and electronic music got him noticed.

We believe consumers win when competition is not only promised, but guaranteed. Consumers and creators benefit when they can more easily connect and enjoy the latest and greatest innovations without hurdles. Apple continues to stand in the way of Spotify’s and other developers’ abilities to provide a seamless user experience, and their restrictions hurt both creators and consumers alike. Read more.