Spotify to Gather Emerging Artists for First Fresh Finds Summit, With Sessions From John Legend, Ryan Tedder, María Zardoya, and More

Spotify’s Fresh Finds Forward program, launched in September, supports approximately 10,000 independent artists annually with resources and community to help them navigate early career challenges. The inaugural class of hundreds will attend the first Fresh Finds Summit in Los Angeles on November 4 and 5, featuring masterclasses, live feedback on their music, and discussions led by artists and executives who have built successful careers. Sessions will focus on practical topics such as songwriting, touring, financial management, team-building, music video production, mental health, and music curation, providing actionable guidance for artists at a pivotal stage. The event will include speakers like John Legend, Ryan Tedder, María Zardoya of The Marías and Not For Radio, Quinn XCII, JP Saxe, 8AE, and Solly, alongside industry leaders from Backline, CAA, Good World, and True Panther.

The summit will also offer wellness support through the Heart & Soul Wellness Lounge, in partnership with Backline, providing access to nutritionists, life coaches, and B-LINE, the music industry’s 24/7 mental health and crisis support line. Attendees will connect with peers at a similar career stage, fostering community and collaboration that extends beyond the event. Hundreds of Fresh Finds Forward artists will participate in person, while sessions will be filmed and shared virtually with the broader program’s thousands of artists.

Fresh Finds Forward builds on Spotify’s decade-long Fresh Finds initiative, which has helped over 80,000 artists across 127 countries through curated playlists. The program aims to provide support after initial discovery, offering tools and resources to turn early momentum into sustainable growth. Recent activities include a global livestream AMA with Isaiah Rashad and the launch of the Found on Fresh Finds series, which produces live performance videos for rising artists.

The summit reflects Fresh Finds Forward’s expansion beyond digital tools, with recent offline events such as stages at Sounds That Move in Brooklyn, CMA Fest, FORM Arcosanti, and Fresh Finds Live in Houston. Community mixers in Australia brought together over 350 emerging artists, and campus events in Sub-Saharan Africa further extended the program’s reach, emphasizing both discovery and support for artists in diverse regions.