Spotify’s Latest Custom Playlist Feature Highlights Artists with Upcoming Shows in Your Area
March 21, 2025 – Spotify is taking personalized music discovery to the next level with the launch of a new custom playlist feature that highlights artists with upcoming shows in your area. The new functionality, introduced this week, offers users a dynamic way to connect with local live music scenes while discovering new artists who will soon be performing nearby.
This exciting update is a natural extension of Spotify’s ongoing push to enhance the music streaming experience by blending digital listening with live concert experiences. By integrating concert information into curated playlists, Spotify aims to make it easier than ever for music fans to discover live shows and buy tickets for their favorite artists.
Personalizing Music Discovery
The new custom playlists are designed to match users with artists who are not only relevant to their musical tastes but who are also scheduled to perform in their geographic region. Whether it’s an up-and-coming indie band or a chart-topping artist, the playlist will surface a mix of tracks from musicians who are actively touring and will soon be performing near the user’s location.
Spotify has long used its algorithms to recommend music based on user preferences, and this new feature takes that concept a step further by adding a live event component. “We want to bring users closer to the music they love by making it easier to discover live shows in their area,” said Gustav Söderström, Spotify’s Chief Product Officer. “This playlist is all about creating connections — between listeners, artists, and live performances.”
How It Works
To access the new custom playlist, users can simply open the Spotify app and navigate to the “Concerts” section within their “Browse” tab. From there, they will be able to customize their playlist based on their location and preferred genres. Spotify uses a combination of location data, listening history, and tour schedules from artists to populate the playlist with tracks from performers who will be in town soon.
The playlists are updated regularly as new concert dates are added, ensuring that users are always in the loop about upcoming shows. In addition to the personalized playlist, Spotify will also provide concert details, including venue, date, and ticketing information, so users can easily follow through with purchasing tickets directly from the app.
Connecting Artists with Fans
For artists, the new feature represents a unique opportunity to reach fans in specific cities or regions where they’ll be performing. As live music continues to thrive in a post-pandemic world, this integration will allow emerging and established artists to promote their tours in an engaging way, potentially attracting new fans and boosting ticket sales.
Spotify’s algorithm can even tailor playlists based on the user’s listening patterns, offering deeper connections to artists who might not be household names yet but have a similar sound to those the user already enjoys. The platform’s robust database of concerts means that even fans of niche genres will benefit from discovering events that might have previously slipped under the radar.
Enhancing the Concert Experience
This latest addition is just one of many ways Spotify is enriching the overall music experience for its users. By leveraging data from artists’ tour schedules and combining it with its own personalization tools, the streaming giant is encouraging users to not only discover new music but also get out and experience it live.
Fans who might otherwise miss local shows will now have a curated playlist to keep them in the loop. “We know how much music lovers enjoy the experience of live concerts, and we want to make that experience as seamless as possible,” added Söderström. “Spotify is about more than just listening — it’s about discovering, connecting, and enjoying music in every way possible.”
Looking Ahead
As live performances continue to grow in importance in the post-pandemic era, Spotify’s new feature is poised to become an indispensable tool for fans and artists alike. The move is a clear sign that streaming platforms are increasingly looking to bridge the gap between digital music consumption and in-person music experiences.
With its new custom playlist feature, Spotify is not only helping fans find music they’ll love but is also paving the way for a more connected and dynamic live music culture. Users can look forward to more updates as Spotify continues to fine-tune the integration of its music streaming service with live event opportunities.
For more details, visit the Spotify app or website and start discovering your next live concert experience today.