Spotify Wants to Blow You Up: ‘Fresh Finds Forward’ to Support 10,000 Emerging Indie Artists

Photo Credit: Spotify

Spotify launches Fresh Finds Forward, a program giving about 10,000 emerging indie artists annually the resources to support long-term growth.

Spotify has announced Fresh Finds Forward, a new program giving approximately 10,000 emerging independent artists each year the resources, community, and support to turn early momentum into long-term growth. Spotify’s worldwide team of music editors curates the Fresh Finds playlists, featuring independent, unsigned, and early-career artists they believe in across genres and markets around the globe.

For over 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. To that end, Spotify credits its Fresh Finds playlists for helping to buoy the careers of Laufey, Clairo, Role Model, Ethel Cain, Ella Langley, Megan Moroney, Royel Otis, and Omar Apollo, as well as sombr, Doechii, Japanese Breakfast, Ice Spice, and Wet Leg.

Now, in a new chapter for Fresh Finds, from January 1 onward, all eligible artists added to any Fresh Finds playlist are invited to join Fresh Finds Forward via Spotify for Artists. Once onboarded, they can access the program’s benefits for 12 months.

“Fresh Finds has always been about finding artists at a pivotal moment and helping them reach new audiences at the right time,” said Joe Hadley, Spotify’s Global Head of Music Content and Partnerships. “We spent years listening to what independent artists actually need, and those conversations shaped what this program would become. Fresh Finds Forward takes everything we’ve learned from a decade of discovery and builds a support system around it, so participating artists aren’t just getting a playlist placement; they’re getting the benefits, resources, and the community to make the most of that moment.”

The program offers free studio time for U.S.-based artists, early access to select Spotify tools and features, prioritized access to tour or music video partnerships with Spotify, a Fresh Finds badge on their artist profile, in-person and virtual events, premium access to digital tools like LANDR Studio Pro and Splice’s Creator Plan, and mental health and wellness resources such as six months of free therapy through BetterHelp.

Notifications will begin rolling out to eligible artists through Spotify for Artists today.