Today, Spotify is launching Fresh Finds Forward, a new program that will give approximately 10,000 emerging independent artists each year the resources, community, and support to turn early momentum into long-term growth.
The programme is supported by Spotify’s Fresh Finds playlists – ones curated by their worldwide team of music editors, who discover and champion independent, unsigned, and early-career artists they believe in across genres and markets around the world. For more than a decade, these playlists have helped over 80,000 artists across 127 countries break through and find new listeners at a critical point in their careers (Laufey, Clairo, ROLE MODEL, Ethel Cain, Ella Langley, Megan Moroney, Royel Otis, and Omar Apollo were all featured on Fresh Finds playlists).
Since 2024, Fresh Finds playlists have driven more than 128 million new artist discoveries, with nearly 70% of the playlists’ streams representing a listener hearing an artist for the first time. More than half of Fresh Finds artists go on to be placed on other editorial playlists like New Music Friday, RapCaviar, or Lorem, and receive accolades and nominations for categories like the Grammys ‘Best New Artist’.
For artists hoping to be considered for Fresh Finds, the best way to get music in front of our editors is to pitch an upcoming release through Spotify for Artists.
Fresh Finds Forward – a new programme with new opportunities
All eligible artists that have been added to any Fresh Finds playlist since January 1, 2026 have now been invited to join Fresh Finds Forward via Spotify for Artists and, once onboarded, can access the program’s benefits for 12 months.
Some of the announced benefits include:
- Free studio time for U.S.-based artists at selected studios, including Electric Lady Studios in New York, The Lighthouse at Ocean Way Nashville and Spotify Studios in Los Angeles.
- Early access to select Spotify tools and features.
- Prioritized access to Spotify tour and music video partnerships.
- A Fresh Finds badge on an artist’s Spotify profile, highlighting their editorial recognition.
- In-person and virtual events featuring Spotify team members and Fresh Finds alumni.
- Premium access to digital music-making tools including LANDR Studio Pro and Splice’s Creator Plan.
- Mental health and wellness resources, including six months of free therapy through BetterHelp.
These features are expected to be expanded and localised for international artists in 2027.