With their new album, hickey, out now, Aussie indie darlings Royel Otis decided to start the celebrations early by bringing their emotionally charged, hook-filled sound to the UK. On Thursday night, the duo played an intimate show at London’s Village Underground, exclusively for their top Spotify fans.
Formed in 2020 in Sydney, Royel and Otis have always moved with an unshakable sense of self, and hickey represents their most fearless leap yet.
This special celebration gave fans the opportunity to hear brand new material from the album, performed live for the very first time. The setlist included recent singles “Moody” and “Say Something,” along with much-loved hits like “Oysters In My Pocket” and their viral covers “Linger” and “Murder On the Dancefloor.”
The wait is over: Stray Kids return with their fourth full-length album, KARMA. And with Spotify STAYdium, fans aren’t just listening, they’re living every moment of it.
Now open in Seoul and Jakarta through August 25, and then heading to Tokyo August 23 through August 27, Spotify STAYdium is a journey into Stray Kids’ latest era. It’s also a tribute to STAY, whose dedication has fueled Stray Kids’ story of grit, growth, and global impact.
“Our fans are the reason for our destiny. We’re also so thankful for Spotify, who has supported us since our rookie year,” said the group. “Partnering with Spotify to bring Spotify STAYdium to life feels like we’ve come full circle. This space celebrates all that we’ve built together with STAY, and we hope they feel our love in every moment.”
As the mercury rises and the days stretch long, Spotify has been turning up the vibrant sounds of South America, Central America, and the Caribbean with our Verano Forever campaign. And the playlist with the same name holding it all together is Verano Forever.
But the party isn’t over yet—in fact, it’s about to begin. That’s because Verano Forever is also a full-blown celebration going down in the heart of Miami on August 22. With its rich blend of cultures and deep ties to Latin music, Miami was a natural choice for this immersive event. It’s more than just a party; it’s a space where artists and fans can connect through shared rhythms, stories, and the unmistakable energy of Latin summer.
For Gen Z Latinos, music transcends mere sound; it’s a vital conduit for cultural connection, a catalyst for unforgettable experiences, and a cherished escape in a fast-paced world. Spotify understands this intrinsic link, recognizing that summer itself is a mood—a time for disconnection and reconnection, for dancing away worries, and for savoring every sun-drenched moment.
For the love of Latin
To that end, Verano Forever also underscores the excitement of the genre’s global ascent, a movement kicked off by artists like Bad Bunny and now brought to life through a new wave of trailblazers.
But it isn’t just the latest hits fueling the 2025 beat. These fan-favorite tracks (all more than five years old) see a spike in global streams each summer:
Also at its heart are the dynamic subgenres shaping the contemporary Latin soundscape. Spotify is creating a dedicated space for listeners to discover and immerse themselves in these rising movements. From Afrobeats Latino, where Latin elements fuse with African rhythms, to Latin House making waves in the electronic dance scene, and Caribbean fusions blending funk, reggae, and soul, the diversity is exhilarating. Even salsa is experiencing a vibrant resurgence, with a new generation of Latin artists breathing life into the iconic genre.
A backstage pass to the heat
Verano Forever will feature in-depth artist storytelling, highlighting the journeys of artists who contribute to this rich tapestry. Names including Rawayana, Beéle, and Myke Towers among others will receive the spotlight with narratives that often trace back to humble beginnings, offering inspiring and relevant insights for fans.
Verano Forever is a testament to Latin music’s undeniable global influence and its power to define a season. Spotify is showing up where Latin culture lives, creating exclusive, fan-first moments that solidify its role as the ultimate curator of a vibrant summertime soundtrack.
Next month, Spotify teams up with Live Nation Urban for an exciting new live music experience: RNB X Live: The UK Sound. This limited concert series will spotlight rising R&B voices from the U.K., with can’t-miss performances from kwn, Odeal, Elmiene, Sasha Keable, and Venna.
Following the success of Spotify’s RNB X After Hours showcase in Washington, D.C., earlier this year, which featured major acts including Normani, Bryson Tiller, and Leon Thomas, this new two-city series will bring the soulful, genre-blending sounds of the U.K. to both coasts of the U.S.
The series kicks off at August Hall in San Francisco on Thursday, August 21, with performances by kwn and Odeal, before heading to Irving Plaza in New York City on Wednesday, August 27, where Elmiene, Sasha Keable, and Venna will take the stage.
Backed by Spotify’s flagship R&B playlist,RNB X, the debut of RNB X Live: The UK Sound marks the latest chapter in the platform’s celebration of R&B’s global evolution. In partnership with Live Nation Urban, this dual concert event kicks off Spotify’s spotlight on U.K. R&B, part of an ongoing effort to amplify regional scenes shaping the genre’s future.
Presales for RNB X Live: The UK Sound begin today via Live Nation at 2 PM ET and Spotify Fans First at 5 PM ET. General ticket sales go live for New York City and San Francisco on August 1 at 10 AM local time.
“The U.S. has long been the mecca for what we recognize as R&B today, but the U.K. has always held its own, with a rich legacy and a wave of fresh, genre-pushing talent,” said Alaysia Sierra, Head of R&B Editorial. “In the age of streaming, the globalization of R&B means we’re more connected than ever to artists who are redefining the sound from across the pond. From legends like Sade, Craig David, and Corinne Bailey Rae to innovators like Cleo Sol, Elmiene, Sasha Keable, and kwn, the U.K. scene continues to evolve with intention.”
With RNB X Live: The UK Sound, we’re giving fans an immersive way to tap into that energy—celebrating what U.K. artists are bringing to the table while spotlighting R&B’s global reach through our flagship RNB X playlist with more to come.
To celebrate the release of KAROL G’s acclaimed new album, Tropicoqueta, Spotify teamed up with the Latin icon to host an exclusive, immersive experience at Paradise Club in New York City. Channeling the bold energy of Karol’s new era, more than 200 fans took part in a night of music and culture.
Blending sounds from across Latin America, Tropicoqueta is a tribute to Karol’s roots. Our celebration brought the new album to life in a one-of-a-kind setting that captured its rhythms and colorful aesthetic. Guests explored the tropical-inspired space before gathering around the stage, where a choreographer taught the crowd some of the fresh dance moves featured in Karol’s latest music video.
The music industry depends on fresh ideas, bold voices, and emerging talent. Yet across the U.K., too many young musicians lack the space to develop their craft, leaving a critical gap in the evolution of new sounds and future careers.
The need for creative spaces has never been more urgent. Between 2010 and 2023, more than 1,200 youth centers closed across the U.K.—an average of one every week. These losses hit underserved communities the hardest, stripping young artists of the safe, supportive environments they need to grow.
To help change this trajectory, Spotify is strengthening our commitment to youth well-being and creativity through the Open Doors Fund, part of our ongoing partnership with Youth Music. Backed by Spotify’s Creator Equity Fund, the initiative provides essential funding and opportunities to empower the next generation of creators—and ensure the spaces that shape them not only survive, but thrive.
Championing youth spaces across the U.K.
To amplify this effort and spark national conversation, Spotify and Youth Music have launched a multichannel campaign that brings the realities facing youth spaces into sharp focus through powerful storytelling and public engagement.
Our hero video captures a week inside a youth center, showcasing the creativity and community these spaces make possible. Acclaimed artist and advocate Kojey Radical dropped in to spend time with Girl Grind UK, a youth music space where young women are building confidence, community, and creative careers, to witness the impact of these spaces firsthand.
Across London, out-of-home placements amplify youth voices in public spaces, while a coordinated social media campaign encourages audiences to engage, share, and take action.
The campaign also lives on-platform through Open Doors, a bespoke playlist curated with Kojey. Featuring both established and emerging U.K. artists who began their journeys in grassroots spaces, the playlist celebrates the vital role these centers play in nurturing talent and calls for their continued protection.
Spotify London welcomes the next generation of creators
As part of our commitment to the Open Doors campaign, Spotify brought the mission to life within our own walls, hosting an inspiring Open Doors Day at our London office. The event welcomed young people from 15 youth centers supported by the Open Doors Fund, offering a space for connection and creativity.
The urgency behind this work is clear. Youth Music warns that within the next decade, young people across eight U.K. regions could lose access to vital music projects. Chronic underfunding—made worse by the cost-of-living crisis—has pushed many community spaces to the brink. Today, two in five (41%) grassroots youth music projects are at risk of closure, a sharp 17% rise since 2024.
“These spaces are the heart of local communities, giving young people a place to feel connected, inspired, and empowered,” said Matt Griffiths, CEO, Youth Music. “With Spotify’s support, we can give these vital spaces a lifeline, ensuring they continue to serve young people for years to come.”
Open Doors Day was designed to equip the next generation with real tools for success. Through hands-on workshops, behind-the-scenes industry insights, and conversations with the Spotify and Youth Music teams, attendees gained invaluable guidance on building creative careers. The day also featured special appearances by award-winning artist Guvna B and Grammy-nominated songwriter Carla Marie Williams MBE, who shared their journeys and inspired young creators to keep pushing forward.
Empowering generations to come
The Open Doors Fund is about more than just keeping the lights on. It’s about lifting up young people, fostering creativity, and providing pathways into the music industry. A staggering 54% of Youth Music’s funded partners have a waiting list of young people eager to participate, but a lack of funds prevents them from doing so.
Spotify and Youth Music are committed to extending the Open Doors Fund into 2026, ensuring that even more youth spaces receive the funding they need to continue supporting young people.
“The Open Doors Fund isn’t just about preserving spaces—it’s about powering what’s possible,” said Kristin Jarett, Social Impact Lead, Spotify. “When young people have the tools, the space, and the support, they create the future of music. We’re committed to making sure those doors stay open.”
The Spotify and Youth Music partnership is a testament to the power of collaboration and the importance of investing in the next generation of artists. By providing essential resources and opportunities, the Open Doors Fund is helping to keep the beat alive by ensuring that young people from all backgrounds have the chance to pursue their musical dreams. Because the artists of tomorrow need a space to begin.
To learn more about the Open Doors Fund, or to get involved with Youth Music, visit here.
In June, Spotify and Miley Cyrus tangoed in Paris during an unforgettable evening: the latest installment of Billions Club Live. The global superstar took the stage for an exclusive performance for her top Spotify Premium listeners in the area, delivering a set packed with some of her most iconic tracks—many of which have surpassed a billion streams on our platform.
Paris was a fitting choice for this one-of-a-kind event: France consistently ranks among Miley’s top 10 countries for streaming—alongside Brazil, the U.K., and Indonesia. The performance marked Miley’s first concert in the French capital in 11 years, following her Bangerz tour in 2014. Just over 100 fans filled the iconic Maxim’s venue in the heart of the city.
At Spotify, our live experiences are curated cultural moments that get people talking. Earlier this year in Chicago, we proved this to be true when we partnered with Samsung Galaxy to bring our Fresh Finds program to life with a two-day affair featuring artists deeply connected to the city. This week, it was time to take that same magic to New York City.
On September 12, more than 500 music fans came together in Brooklyn to enjoy immersive activations and performances, this time by Fresh Finds artists with connections to the Big Apple: Remy Bond, LAUNDRY DAY, and This Is Lorelei, with Veronika Slowikowska as the evening’s host.
Across generations and borders, Música Mexicana continues to reach new fans. On Spotify, the genre has experienced unprecedented growth, with global streams up more than 440% since 2018. Several Música Mexicana subgenres are also on the rise as new waves of artists put their stamps on long-established musical traditions.
Last month, we celebrated “La Tierra de Música Mexicana” with a series of Spotify Singles showcasing three of today’s hottest subgenres: electro corridos, norteño sax, and sad sierreño. This week, we’re thrilled to bring the campaign to life for fans, artists, and industry leaders with a three-day affair in Los Angeles to celebrate all that falls under the Música Mexicana umbrella.
Over the first two days, the event will offer panels, masterclasses, and showcases tailored to emerging artists and industry professionals. On the third and final day, “La Tierra de Música Mexicana” will take over Avalon Hollywood with a packed lineup of performances from some of the genre’s most exciting artists.
Wednesday, September 11
We’ll kick things off with a Spotify for Artists masterclass focused on the tools and resources available to our creator community. Next, our Editorial team will host a Playlists, Curation, and Algorithms panel exploring our playlist ecosystem and how we represent Música Mexicana culture across Spotify. Our experts will then be available to answer specific questions during a “breakout tables” segment.
From there, our Songwriter and Publisher Partnerships team will explore the business side of Música Mexicana, with a focus on empowering and educating the new generation of songwriters and producers. Attendees will also be treated to a sit-down interview with Miguel Armenta, the songwriter behind “TQM” by Fuerza Regida, as we take a deep dive through the hit songs he’s helped create via his Written By playlist.
Night one will close out with our Mujeres en Música Mexicana panel and showcase featuring women artists and industry professionals from across the genre, including Chiquis, Erika Vidrio, and Designo Celestial.
Thursday, September 12
On day two, we’ll host a live show and Q&A with the hosts of the Agushto Papa podcast and special guests Oscar Ortiz and Alex Favela, who will delve into the trends and artistry shaping the genre.
Up next: presentations on strategic partnerships and music sales promotion. We’ll discuss how artists combine Spotify tools with their own marketing strategies to build successful album release cycles, followed by how to leverage tools like Showcase and Marquee to promote new music to your most likely listeners.
We’ll also hear from leading Música Mexicana experts on the evolution of the genre, as well as changes within the industry itself. Last but not least, the day will conclude with performances from Oscar Ortiz, Clave Especial, Octavio Cuadras, Adriana Ríos, and Adrian L Santos.
“Música Mexicana means so much to me because it truly changed my life,” says DannyLux. “From growing up listening to it with my family to being able to perform it onstage is something I’ll always be grateful for. I love how much people have embraced it in the past few years, and it’s cool to see it being mixed with different genres along the way. It’s a very collaborative genre and I think that’s why it lends itself to growth, because all the artists are willing to make magic together.”
Last week, hundreds of artists, publishers, creators, and individuals working in the audio industry met up in Germany for Spotify’s All Ears Podcast Summit and All Music Friday Summit. The events offered a chance for attendees to hear from experts in their fields and gain insights on reaching larger audiences across podcasting and music.
Welcoming the podcast industry to Wilhelm Hallen
The 2023 All Ears Podcast Summit made history as the largest-ever podcast event in Germany. Experts from production, marketing, publishing, and advertising presented, shared advice, and connected. The conference, which spanned five stages at the Wilhelm Hallen conference center, included panels, interviews, workshops, and live podcast recordings.
For the Record had the chance to talk to Saruul Krause-Jentsch, Spotify’s Head of Podcast in Germany, who shared more about the summit.
“Podcasts are an important audio entertainment medium in Germany, about which, in which, and with which there is a lot of discussion,” she noted. “We generally take great pleasure in exchanging ideas with all our partners, creators, and competitors. Spotify is the most important podcast pioneer in Germany, not only because of our great content, but also because of the technology and tools we have available for creators. This event helps guide the conversation of the future of podcasting while also sharing more about our creator-focused mission with Spotify for Podcasters.”
When it comes to gaming, nothing quite ups the adrenaline—or helps you focus—like playing music. The two go hand in hand, and nothing proves this more than our listeners’ streaming habits in France.
In the last six months, Spotify France listeners have streamed more than 52 million hours of music across Discord, PlayStation, and Xbox. And the players’ genre of choice? French rap. The rapper Jul, who was the most-listened-to Spotify artist in France last year, is the most-listened-to artist streamed on gaming platforms by French gamers. Gamers have listened to his music on the three platforms for more than 42 million hours.
To celebrate the nation’s love for gaming and music, Spotify France hosted an event called Le Van (The Van in English). We invited three popular gamers and three hip-hop stars to the stage to compete in a series of games. Squeezie, Billy RebeuDeter, and Inoxtag represented the gaming community, while Dinos, Soso Maness, and Niska stepped up for the artists.
Fans of Spotify’s misfits 2.0 playlist know this mantra well. The playlist has amassed over 453,000 likes since it launched in 2020, proving that there’s always a place for the alternative. It’s a destination for hyper-engaged fans to discover a new generation of boundary-breaking artists whose music simply cannot be defined. So this week, to celebrate the playlist’s championing of all things alternative, we hosted an Anti-Prom fit for all the alt kings and queens in London.
Fans of the playlist arrived dressed in their finest anti-prom looks, peacocking their favorite elements of eye-catching “misfits” style.
A lineup of women and non-binary artists—including Mercury Prize–nominated Nova Twins along withGIRLI,lozeak,Cassyette, and Lynks—all performed their hearts out in front of raucous fans at a party that was inspired by high school movie mayhem. There was even an Anti-Prom Committee of misfit creators that led the celebration, and a judging panel for a number of yearbook awards that attendees could compete for. Guests also had the chance to capture their classic prom-photo moments in a themed photo booth.
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