What to expect (and not) at Spotify’s Stream On event

update: Spotify will host its annual Stream On event on Wednesday, March 8th. The usual line of expected announcements is for streamers from the music industry to renegotiate contracts, demand different royalty models, and investor concerns about the payoff of their huge investments in podcasts and audiobooks. takes place at a time of heightened pressure on

Catch the Spotify stream live today at 10am PT/1pm ET

What should I look for in Spotify’s Steam On Event?

1. price increase – All eyes will be on whether CEO Daniel Ek will yield to pressure to raise monthly subscription fees, as competitors like Apple Music and Amazon Music did a few months ago. increase. So far, Ek has only promised to look into it.
2. Discovering TikTok style – Rumors have already been proven accurate, with a new homepage popping up on the mobile app for some users on Tuesday. The feed is not made up of videos*, but “cards” that contain multiple interactive elements. ’ See his short story below.

3Short video – Everyone is jumping on the TikTok short video craze. In fact, the streamer started on his Canva quite some time ago, asking the artist to upload a 30-second video of him thanking fans as part of his Spotify Wrapped last year. Short videos also fit nicely on the new homepage, so don’t be surprised if Ek announces additional ways for artists to use short videos on the platform.

Four. More DJs – Spotify released a new audio AI DJ just over a week ago. We’ve already shown our expectations, but it’s important to remember that this is just DJ 1.0. At launch, Spotify promised more innovation, and Ek expects to hint, if not reveal, what DJ 2.0 will sound like.

Five. Two sided market – Some call it obfuscation to distract from the raging loyalty debate, but in 2019, Spotify said that while facilitating revenue growth for streamers, it also allowed them to “create art, engage with their fanbase, grow, We promised to build a two-sided market that will monetize. Additional features like merch sales and marquee campaigns are starting to deliver on that promise. But expect more on this stream, including rumors of new ways for the artist to communicate with fans.

6. hifi audio – Ek has promised to add “HiFi” audio in 2021 but has yet to launch it. It seems as if now or never.

7. audio book – Spotify has invested heavily in bringing audiobook sales to its platform. So far, that launch has rated yawning at best, so expect an audiobook announcement—whether it’s a real innovation or just Window his dressing remains to be seen.

What to expect from Steam On

“If you don’t know what you want, you probably won’t get it.”
Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.

Don’t even expect Ek to hint at how the label’s renegotiation is going. Both sides know how much they need each other, but I hear the majors are particularly demanding this time around.

You also don’t hear much about Spotify trying to sell concert tickets. But despite the promise of the concept, with so much bad press around Ticketmaster and ticket sales in general, now is not the time for Spotify to step up its efforts.

Catch the Spotify stream live today at 10am PT/1pm ET

Bruce Horton Founder and Editor of Hypebot and MusicThinkTank, Senior Advisor to Bandsintown, President of Skyline Artists Agency, and Professor at Berklee College of Music.