What happened

On September 17, Spotify announced Fresh Finds Forward, a program for about 10,000 emerging independent artists each year. Participants receive support for 12 months. Spotify says it builds on what it has learned from a decade of Fresh Finds, its playlist-based discovery program.

What participants get

  • Free studio time for US-based artists only, at Electric Lady Studios in New York, The Lighthouse at Ocean Way Nashville and Spotify Studios in Los Angeles.
  • Premium subscriptions to LANDR Studio Pro and Splice’s Creator plan.
  • Six months of free therapy through BetterHelp.
  • Early access to select Spotify tools and features.
  • Prioritized access to tour and music video partnerships with Spotify.
  • A Fresh Finds badge on the artist profile, plus in-person and virtual networking events.

Spotify’s Joe Hadley, VP of Global Music Content and Partnerships, said the program “takes everything we’ve learned from a decade of discovery and builds a support system around it.”

Who is eligible

There is no separate application form. According to Music Business Worldwide, eligibility covers artists added to Fresh Finds playlists from January 1, 2026 onward, applied retroactively, and invitations come through Spotify for Artists. Notifications began rolling out on September 17. Artists can pitch upcoming releases through Spotify for Artists.

Why it matters

The program turns playlist placement into a gateway to resources that were previously outside Spotify’s remit, such as studio access, production software and mental-health support. For an independent artist with limited budget, those are real costs.

AnalysisBased on the reporting, the entry point is still a Spotify editorial decision, and the announcement describes no separate application. The way in is the pitching tool through Spotify for Artists that artists already use. So the practical advice hasn’t changed: pitch each release there, and do it early. The program raises the reward for getting a Fresh Finds placement, but it doesn’t appear to make the placement any easier to get.

What remains unclear

  • Which of the non-studio benefits are available outside the US. Studio time is limited to US-based artists, and Spotify’s announcement doesn’t specify availability by market for the rest.
  • How many of the 10,000 places go to artists in each region.
  • What “prioritized access” to tour and video partnerships means in practice.