Spotify Launches Fresh Finds Forward Program to Support Emerging Independent Musicians

Spotify is looking to support emerging artists with the launch of Fresh Finds Forward, a program intended to give roughly 10,000 independent artists support and resources each year.

The streaming service shared details of the program, allowing any artist added to Fresh Finds playlists from January 1, 2026 to join Fresh Finds Forward via Spotify for Artists. Once onboarded into the program, musicians will have access to resources for 12 months, including free studio time for U.S.-based artists at locations like New York City’s Electric Lady Studios; early utilization of some Spotify tools and features; and mental health resources and free therapy for six months via BetterHelp.

Fresh Finds playlists have been active on Spotify for more than a decade, providing a platform for over 80,000 artists across 127 countries. Early placements have ranged from Laufey and Clairo to Ethel Cain and Omar Apollo. Since 2024, these playlists have driven over 128 million new artist discoveries, and more than half of the artists end up being programmed on other editorial playlists.

“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.”