Tag: Event Recap

Ryan Castro Celebrates His Roots and Global Rise With Fans in Bogotá

June 15, 2026

This past weekend, Spotify brought Ryan Castro back to Bogotá for a special celebration with some of his biggest fans. The night paid tribute to the Medellín-born artist’s roots, the connection he’s built with his audience, and the stories that have earned him the title of EL CANTANTE DEL GHETTO (“The Singer From the Ghetto”).

The show took fans on a journey through the songs that have shaped his rise to become one of the biggest names in Latin music today. He opened the night with early tracks “Wasa Wasa,” “Monastery,” and “Jordan”—music that took him from local stages to listeners around the world.

The set moved through hits that helped cement his place as one of Colombian reggaetón’s most influential voices, including “RITMO DE MEDALLO” and “UNA NOCHE EN MEDELLÍN – REMIX.” Later, “EL RITMO QUE NOS UNE – feat. Selección Colombia,” his collaboration with the Colombian football team, became a moment of unity during the season and a reminder of music’s power to bring communities together.

But the night wasn’t only about nostalgia. As a surprise for the crowd, Ryan debuted “BRINCAITO” an unreleased song to give fans an exclusive first listen to the next chapter of his story.

Spotify House 2026: All the Can’t-Miss Moments From CMA Fest

June 12, 2026

Brian Kelley of Florida Georgia Line performs onstage at Spotify House during CMA Fest 2026 - Day 2 at Ole Red on June 05, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Spotify House returned to CMA Fest for its seventh year, taking over Nashville’s Ole Red from June 4-6. Curated by the team behind Hot Country, the event brought together some of the genre’s biggest stars alongside breakout and emerging artists. From headline-making collaborations to first listens and special fan moments, here are a few of our favorite highlights.

Duets and surprise sets

Spotify House delivered no shortage of surprise guests. Ashley McBryde was joined by Melissa Etheridge for a duet of “I’m The Only One,” while Vincent Mason welcomed STELLA LEFTY to the stage, where the couple performed “Something To Lose.”

The star-studded lineup continued throughout the event with surprise performances from Jason Aldean and Blake Shelton. Shaboozey closed things out with a surprise appearance from Kevin Powers.

Spotify and Vogue Celebrate Music and Culture in Mexico City

April 24, 2026

In the heart of Mexico City, music, culture, and fashion converged last night as Spotify and Vogue Latin America welcomed guests to an intimate gathering at Soho House. Mexico City listens to more music on Spotify than any other city in the world, making it the perfect place to celebrate as we turned 20.

Hosted by Dustee Jenkins, our Global Chief Public Affairs Officer, and Mia Nygren, our General Manager in Latin America, alongside Karla Martínez de Salas, Head of Content at Vogue Latin America, the event brought together a dynamic mix of the region’s creative voices.

Guests including Willy Chavarría, Paulina Dávila, Dario Yazbek, Montserrat Messeguer, Majo Aguilar, Azul Guaita, Cynthia Buttenklepper, Fernanda Millán, Sofi Newton, Karina Galicia, Raquel Chaves, Fernanda Lecona, and Jessica Díaz gathered over cocktails and local flavors, with conversation flowing throughout the evening. A set by DJ Escuby kept the energy going on the dance floor.

From Page to Stage: Spotify Celebrates Storytelling at the LA Times Festival of Books

April 22, 2026

This past weekend, Spotify was at the heart of the largest literary event in the U.S.: the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books. As the presenting sponsor of the Audiobook and Podcast Stage on the USC campus, we spent April 18 and 19 celebrating the authors, stories, and fans that make up book culture. From mainstage panels to an invite-only party with Rick Ross, the event highlighted our belief that great stories deserve to be heard, shared, and experienced across multiple formats. It was also a chance to bring the Spotify experience into the real world and connect storytellers with fans.

Center stage with leading authors

The Spotify Audiobook and Podcast Stage hosted discussions with two of today’s most exciting authors.

First, we explored how a single story can build a universe of fans across different mediums

with Remarkably Bright Creatures author Shelby Van Pelt and film director Olivia Newman. Moderated by Spotify Senior Audiobooks Editor Zack Knoll, the panel examined how a story evolves as it moves from page to audiobook to a highly anticipated Netflix film.

Then, on Sunday, we welcomed S.A. Cosby, the New York Times bestselling author known for “Southern noir” crime fiction, for a discussion on storytelling in the digital age. Moderated by David Dastmalchian, host of the video podcast Grave Conversations, the panel explored the creative process and what it means to connect with readers in an era of audiobooks, podcasts, and social media. Cosby’s work shows that great storytelling transcends any single format, finding new audiences and new life through audio.

BTS and Spotify Bring ‘ARIRANG’ to Top Fans in New York City

March 25, 2026

BTS is so back. This week, the global pop superstars took the stage at New York City’s Pier 17 for their first U.S. performance in four years.

Part of Spotify x BTS: SWIMSIDE, a global series of immersive live events, the night was a celebration of the band’s latest album, ARIRANG. The setlist featured new tracks including “2.0,” “SWIM,” and “NORMAL.” And even though the album has been out for less than a week, the crowd—made up of more than 1,000 of BTS’ top local fans on Spotify—was already singing along.

After the show, the group sat down with Suki Waterhouse for a Q&A, sharing exclusive insights into the making of the album and their return to music.

Check out photos from the night below.

Spotify Doubles Down on Investments in Australian Fan Discovery of Homegrown Aussie Talent

March 3, 2026

Spotify had an energizing week in Sydney, Australia, filled with powerful conversations and moments uniting leaders across government, music, and the broader creative community. Spotify’s leadership reinforced the incredible growth Australian artists are seeing on Spotify, doubled down on Spotify’s commitment to the Australian music industry, and discussed new ways to unlock opportunities for local creatives.

Helping Aussie artists build sustainable careers at home and abroad

Australian artists are seeing life-changing support from fans on Spotify. Nearly half of Australians use Spotify, and they’re among our most engaged listeners globally. In 2025 alone, local fans streamed Australian artists 223 million more times on Spotify than the year before.

Overall, Spotify is the single biggest payer to the Australian music industry, paying out AUD $330 million to Australian music rightsholders in 2025. That represents a 7% year-over-year increase in royalties for Australian artists from Spotify. Approximately half of that went to independent artists and labels.

More Australian artists than ever are building sustainable careers through streaming on Spotify. Today, more than 370 Australian artists earn over $100,000 annually from Spotify alone, double the number from 2017. Australian music is also traveling further than ever, with Australian artists getting discovered 2.7 billion times globally by first-time listeners. This export factor helps Australian artists turn listeners worldwide into lifelong fans.

Consistently investing in Australia’s homegrown talent

This growth reflects Spotify’s sustained investment in initiatives like Turn Up Aus, RADAR, and EQUAL, alongside the continuous work of our Australian editorial team. They’re the people discovering and spotlighting local talent across playlists like Hot Hits Australia, Turn Up Aus, New Music Friday, Heaps Country, A1, and more.

Alongside our partnership with the ARIA Awards in commemorating Australia’s top talent, we announced this week a new AUD $200,000 commitment and multi-year partnership between Turn Up Aus and The Push to elevate the next generation of Aussie artists. We’ll help The Push—Australia’s leading youth music organization—create pathways for local artists and industry leaders, investing not only in today’s talent but also in the future of the country’s creative economy.

To celebrate the partnership, we gathered with The Push alumni, industry guests, and artists Robert Baxter, Suzi, and MAY-A (our newest addition to RADAR Australia) for a night of music, conversation, and delicious pizza.

Spotify and Coca-Cola Saddle Up for a Rhinestone Cowboy Experience at the Houston Rodeo

March 3, 2026

Spotify is back on the ground for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and we’re once again teaming up with Coca-Cola to create an exciting experience for fans within the Coca-Cola Soda Shoppe. The space is a destination for attendees to celebrate all things cowboy and the vibrant culture of modern country.

This year’s theme is “Rhinestone Cowboy,” with a look inspired by the colors of Coca-Cola’s cherry-flavored lineup and the new, limited-edition Cherry Float. The activation also coincides with the 40th anniversary of Cherry Coke. Inside, the space features immersive experiences, free samples, unique photo moments, and even exclusive meet and greets with some of today’s most exciting artists, starting with J Balvin.

Fans Enter Bad Bunny’s Universe at Spotify’s Immersive Experience in São Paulo

February 24, 2026

Last weekend, São Paulo buzzed with energy as Bad Bunny took the stage for two nights of performances. The concerts marked the first time the Puerto Rican star, and Spotify’s 2025 Global Top Artist, performed in Brazil. To honor the occasion, Spotify unveiled an immersive “De Puerto Rico Pa’l Mundo” (“From Puerto Rico to the World”) experience that brought Bad Bunny’s 2025 album, DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, to life.

Fans, creators, and press explored a physical interpretation of the album’s themes. Each meticulously designed space reflected key elements of its sonic journey, inviting attendees inside Bad Bunny’s universe. The concept, previously brought to life in Mexico and Colombia, proved that the power of Bad Bunny transcends borders.

Women in Podcasting Craft New Connections at Spotify’s Galentine’s Day Celebration in LA

February 12, 2026

This Wednesday in Los Angeles, Spotify brought together a group of podcast creators for a Galentine’s Day gathering at the charm-crafting boutique Charmed LA. In an industry that’s often digital-first, the event was a chance to prioritize real-world connection and celebrate friendship.

Over coffee and light brunch bites, guests connected and shared stories, including Cherie Brooke Luo and Jean Luo of Tiger Sisters, Liz Plank of Boy Problems, Sabrina Zohar of The Sabrina Zohar Show, and Ashley Nichole and Taryne Renee of Unsolicited Advice with Ashley and Taryne.

Spotify Celebrates the 2026 Best New Artist Nominees During a Star-Studded Party in LA

January 30, 2026

Spotify’s annual Best New Artist celebration returned to Los Angeles last night with a one-of-a-kind tribute to the 2026 nominees. Held at The Lot at Formosa, the event delivered unforgettable performances and star-studded moments, showcasing Spotify’s commitment to championing the voices shaping the future of music.

All of this year’s nominees—Addison Rae, Alex Warren, KATSEYE, Leon Thomas, Lola Young, Olivia Dean, sombr, and The Marías—were in attendance, each performing live on a rotating stage that kept the excitement building throughout the night.

Leon opened the night with a stellar performance of “MUTT,” followed by The Marías, who played “No One Noticed” and other hit tracks. Lola returned to the stage for an emotional take on “d£aler” before Alex led a crowd singalong of “Ordinary.”

Other standout moments included Addison’s performance of her breakout hit “Diet Pepsi,” sombr’s moving rendition of “back to friends,” KATSEYE’s electric set featuring “Gabriela,” and Olivia closing out the night with “Man I Need,” leaving the crowd buzzing.

Golden Week Nominees Night Celebrates a Podcasting Milestone

January 9, 2026

This year, podcasts are making their Golden Globes debut with a new category honoring the medium’s leading shows and creators. To mark the occasion, Spotify and The Hollywood Reporter hosted Golden Week Nominees Night in West Hollywood on Thursday, bringing together award nominees and industry leaders for an evening celebrating podcasting’s arrival on one of entertainment’s biggest stages.

The spotlight was on the inaugural Best Podcast nominees: Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard, Call Her Daddy, Good Hang with Amy Poehler (from Spotify’s The Ringer), The Mel Robbins Podcast, SmartLess, and Up First from NPR. Together, they represent some of the most influential voices shaping the podcast landscape today.

More than just a party, Nominees Night reflected Spotify’s commitment to championing audio and video storytellers and creating spaces where their voices, creativity, and achievements can shine.

“This has been a huge year for podcasts, and we wanted to take a moment to celebrate the creators and nominees who made it so special,” said Roman Wasenmüller, VP, Global Head of Podcasts, Spotify. “Partnering with The Hollywood Reporter to bring everyone together ahead of the Golden Globes felt like the perfect way to kick off awards season and recognize how far podcasting has come.”

Attendees also enjoyed live performances from artists including Chaka Khan, John Legend, and Miles Caton, and DJ sets from Mark Ronson and DJ Kiss.

A Decade of Giving: ‘Fest & Flauschig’ Christmas Circus Celebrates Record Turnout and Generosity

December 22, 2025

For a decade, popular German podcast Fest & Flauschig has hosted an annual Christmas Circus that brings together fans for a night of laughter, music, and giving back to those in need. On December 19, Spotify celebrated the 10th anniversary of the live podcast charity gala, “Fest & Flauschig Live: 10 von 10 – Anniversary Christmas with Jan & Olli,” with hosts Jan Böhmermann and Olli Schulz.

The milestone night drew a record-breaking crowd of more than 12,000 to Hamburg’s Barclays Arena. So far, this year’s event has collected more than €1.1 million from over 15,000 fans, with additional donations accepted until January 18, 2026.

Friends of the show dropped by to bring a little holiday cheer, including moderator and co-host of the podcast Zum Scheitern Verurteilt Laura Larsson, renowned gastronomer and TV personality Tim Mälzer, and comedy legend Otto Waalkes. Artist Bosse even took the stage for a live performance that lit up the arena.