Spotify is taking its support for emerging independent artists beyond playlist placement.

On September 17, Spotify launched Fresh Finds Forward, a new program designed to give approximately 10,000 emerging independent artists each year access to resources, community, tools, and opportunities to help turn early momentum into long-term growth.

For more than a decade, Spotify’s Fresh Finds playlists have helped spotlight independent, unsigned, and early-career artists around the world. According to Spotify, the playlists have helped more than 80,000 artists across 127 countries find new listeners. Since 2024, Fresh Finds has driven more than 128 million new artist discoveries, with nearly 70% of streams coming from listeners hearing an artist for the first time.

What Is Fresh Finds Forward?

Eligible artists added to a Fresh Finds playlist from January 1, 2026 onward can be invited to join Fresh Finds Forward through Spotify for Artists. Once onboarded, artists can access the program’s benefits for 12 months.

The program includes:

• Free studio time for eligible U.S.-based artists at select studios, including Electric Lady Studios in NYC and Spotify Studios in LA
• Early access to select Spotify tools and features
• Prioritized access to select Spotify tour and music video partnerships
• A Fresh Finds badge on an artist’s Spotify profile
• In-person and virtual events with Spotify team members and Fresh Finds alumni
• Premium access to tools including Splice’s Creator Plan
• Mental health and wellness resources, including six months of free therapy through BetterHelp

Fresh Finds Has Helped Artists Break Through

Fresh Finds has become an important discovery point for artists who later built major audiences. Laufey, Clairo, ROLE MODEL, Ethel Cain, Ella Langley, Megan Moroney, Royel Otis, and Omar Apollo were all featured on Fresh Finds playlists early in their careers.

Artists including sombr, Doechii, Japanese Breakfast, Ice Spice, and Wet Leg have also gone on to receive Best New Artist nominations.

Fresh Finds alumni have spoken about how those early placements helped them reach new listeners. Remi Wolf has credited her Fresh Finds placement with helping her gain fans, while Laufey described the playlist as an introduction to a completely different audience.

How Can Artists Get Considered?

If you want to be considered for Fresh Finds, Spotify recommends pitching your upcoming release through Spotify for Artists.

While a playlist placement isn’t guaranteed, pitching allows Spotify’s editorial team to discover your music and learn more about your release.

For artists, a Fresh Finds placement can be an important first step toward reaching new listeners. Now, Spotify is building on that moment of discovery with Fresh Finds Forward. For eligible artists who land on Fresh Finds, the program provides additional resources, tools, and connections designed to help them turn that early momentum into long-term growth.

For independent artists, Fresh Finds Forward makes a Fresh Finds placement more than a playlist opportunity. Keep pitching upcoming releases through Spotify for Artists, and if you’re selected, take advantage of the program’s 12 months of tools, resources, events, and industry opportunities to build on that editorial support.

Read Spotify’s full announcement about Fresh Finds Forward here: https://newsroom.spotify.com/2026-09-17/fresh-finds-forward/