How Spotify and Samsung Brought Fresh Finds to Life in Chicago, From Live Performances to Interactive Experiences
Listeners looking to discover music from some of the most promising independent artists need look no further than Spotify’s Fresh Finds. Since 2016, Fresh Finds has served as a launchpad for DIY-minded artists, and we’re continuing to expand the program by connecting artists and fans in new and unique ways.
Last week, we partnered with Samsung to host a two-day live experience in Chicago featuring artists with deep connections to the city. More than 500 music fans came together to enjoy immersive activations and rotating performances by Fresh Finds artists Slow Pulp, Pink Pablo, Kara Jackson, Paris Texas, Fana Hues, and Casper Sage, as well as DJ sets from jigitz and Très Mortimer.
Slow Pulp
Pink Pablo
Paris Texas
Très Mortimer
Casper Sage
Kara Jackson
Fana Hues
jigitz
Located in the city’s West Loop neighborhood, the striking industrial venue featured large-scale murals designed by local street artists who snuck in nuggets of Chicago history and fun Easter eggs about the performing artists.
Guests were met with twists and turns at every corner as they entered new spaces and opened nondescript doors, from a speakeasy-style phone booth that served as the event’s main entrance to an elaborate bodega complete with a hidden “ice cave.”
Music lovers ducked inside graffitied enclaves to test out the power of noise cancellation with Samsung Galaxy Buds while grooving to Fresh Finds playlists. One room was transformed into a giant collage of printed posters, illustrations, stickers, and song lyrics from each performer—guests could find their favorite artist’s wall or discover someone new as they explored the space.
“Spotify live experiences aren’t just concerts, they’re curated cultural moments that get people talking,” said Keyana Kashfi, Global Head of Experiential and Content Production at Spotify. “By partnering with Samsung Galaxy on this event, we were able to bring together Chicago-connected artists and allow the brand to play a key role in influencing culture.”
After years of hosting our own world-class events—from Spotify Beach at Cannes to CMA Fest in Nashville to our Best New Artist Party in Los Angeles—we were inspired to start thinking about how to help our brand partners create their own special live experiences. And now, with our new Live Experiences offering for advertisers, brands can officially leverage our packaged offerings to tap into cultural relevance, reach new audiences, and build fresh fandoms.
Working with our partner FanDuel, we kicked off our Live Experience offering earlier this year with a Super Bowl Weekend VIP party in Las Vegas. The star-studded event featured live performances by Kid Cudi and Calvin Harris, delivering an unmatched experience that capitalized on the big game—a highly relevant moment for FanDuel. It was a great example of how this new offering provides a unique opportunity for brands to engage with their audiences in real life.
“Our goal with our live events offering is always to deliver memorable experiences while aligning with business outcomes at highly relevant cultural moments,” said Brian Berner, Global Head of Sales & Partnerships at Spotify. “Whether it’s Samsung, FanDuel, or any brand that’s looking to engage with their audiences in real life, we want to help marketers strengthen their bond with fans and the creators they love.”
To discover the latest and greatest from DIY and independent artists, stream our Fresh Finds flagship playlist.
