Spotify launches venue-following feature, revamps live events feed for global users

Spotify has introduced a new feature allowing both free and premium users to follow their favorite concert venues directly within the app, saving these venues to their libraries for easy access to event calendars and concert updates. This update includes a genre filter for upcoming shows and enhances the Live Events feed with daily updates, replacing the previous weekly schedule to provide more timely information. Users can browse venue pages, receive tailored venue suggestions, and purchase tickets through Spotify's official ticketing partners, including platforms like Live Nation and Ticketmaster, though Spotify itself does not sell tickets directly. This feature builds on Spotify's earlier launch of the "Concerts Near You" playlist, which helps users discover local live music, and aims to support independent venues and artists by bridging digital music discovery with real-world live experiences. Competitors such as SoundCloud are also enhancing live event discovery by partnering with ticketing platforms to list upcoming shows. Spotify emphasizes that live music is vital to community culture and economic impact, particularly noting the challenges faced by independent venues in maintaining profitability.