Tag: venue

Spotify and NIVA Partner to Support Independent Venues Across the US

April 15, 2026

For many artists, independent venues are where music careers begin and fan communities take shape. Independent venue operators work hard every day to keep local scenes thriving as they navigate a rapidly evolving live music landscape. They deserve greater visibility and support, and with our latest partnership we’re helping to amplify their impact. 

Today, Spotify and the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) are announcing a year-long partnership designed to support independent live music across the U.S. Throughout 2026, we’ll use our resources to help independent venues—and the artists who perform there—thrive.

“Independent venues are the heartbeat of live music,” said Rene Volker, Senior Director, Live Music, Spotify. “They’re where artists take risks, build devoted communities, and where fans discover what they’ll love for the rest of their lives. This partnership with NIVA is about making sure Spotify’s platform, editorial, and product capabilities are working in direct service of that ecosystem. We’re here for the long game.”

“Independent stages are where every artist gets their start and where nearly 200 million fans a year experience the joy of music, comedy, and performance,” said Stephen Parker, Executive Director, National Independent Venue Association. “NIVA’s Certified Live Independent is a seal that shows the sacrifices and ingenuity that goes into keeping their venue or festival independent. We’re grateful that Spotify is elevating that seal and independent stages on their platform to allow millions of fans to experience the magic of these spaces.”

Here are a few things independent venues, fans, and artists can look forward to.

Amplifying independent events

Together with NIVA, we’re helping fans discover more independent shows on Spotify. That includes boosting visibility for independent venues through features like venue pages and the Live Events Feed, making it easier to find and show up for the shows that keep local scenes thriving.

Monthly playlist spotlights

This summer, we’re launching the Independent Booker Spotlight playlist series, the first editorial partnership of its kind for Spotify’s live music team—celebrating the people shaping independent live music behind the scenes.

Each month, NIVA will select an independent booker to create a playlist with Spotify’s editorial team, spotlighting the people who help keep the lineups at independent stages fresh across the country.

Recognizing independent venues

NIVA’s Certified Live Independent seal marks the independently owned venues that are the backbone of live music—the places where artists grow and fans find their people. The seal is designed to enhance the quality and sustainability of independent live performance, while preserving the authentic and unique spirit that defines these cultural hubs. By displaying this seal on venue pages on Spotify, we’ll surface and recognize the independent venues that are essential to how music grows—giving them visibility on the platform that reflects their importance to the ecosystem.

Investing in the future of live music

We believe in supporting artists throughout their careers, and that includes investing in the venues that anchor both early growth and long-term community building. This partnership is one part of our broader commitment to live music, recognizing that unforgettable performances happen on stages big and small. 

This partnership goes beyond just sponsorship. We’re making a commitment to supporting independent live music through visibility, recognition, and reinvestment—from venue amplification and event discovery to spotlight programs and live events.

Spotify has supported the independent venue community for years, including by contributing $500,000 to the #SaveOurStages fund and, more recently, by launching the ability for fans to follow venues directly on Spotify—bringing independent clubs into the same discovery ecosystem as major arenas. Today’s announcement is the next step in that work.

Spotify House Rocks Country Music’s Biggest Weekend at Nashville’s CMA Fest

June 13, 2023

Reba McEntire performs onstage at Spotify House during CMA Fest 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Last weekend, Spotify two-stepped its way back to Nashville’s legendary Broadway thoroughfare for the annual CMA Fest. The event, hosted by the Country Music Association, is one of the biggest live-music weekends. It first began as Fan Fair in 1972, and quickly grew to a multi-day festival that rebranded as CMA Fest in 2004. This year, CMA Fest celebrated its 50th anniversary. Over the span of four days, we invited artists and fans to take in the sights and sounds at our Spotify House multi-stage experience.

For the fourth year, Spotify House took over Ole Red, country music star Blake Shelton’s restaurant, bar, and concert venue, to host a four-day experience featuring over 70 artist performances. The star-studded lineup, which included chart-toppers Sam Hunt, Dierks Bentley, Lady A, and Hailey Whitters, made the venue a revolving door of wide-ranging country sounds and blazing-hot talent. Country music legend Reba McEntire made her return to Nashville’s Lower Broadway at Spotify House for the first time in 10 years for the CMA Fest 50th Spotlight Performance, which also featured Billy Currington, Kimberly Perry, and Craig Morgan. Surprise performers from Spotify House included Kelsea Ballerini and Megan Moroney. 

On the fourth floor, attendees enjoyed the Fresh Finds Rooftop, which was presented in collaboration with The Sims. Spotify is teaming up with The Sims over a shared mission to unlock creative potential and support expression in rising creatives. The Fresh Finds stage was back for its second year and gave fans, press, and industry insiders the chance to discover country music’s next wave of independent stars including Wyatt Flores, Payton Smith, Haley Mae Campbell, and Shaylen.    

Throughout CMA Fest, Spotify Mic Check host Lea Palmieri was onsite chatting with many of the country music artists who performed at Spotify House. 

“​​I’ve been here [in Nashville] ten years now. I think the first thing that shocked me about Broadway is how many amazing artists and singers there are, and how accessible music is walking up and down Broadway any given weekend—it doesn’t seem like you could top it. And then CMA Fest rolls through town and you’re like, ‘Wow, what just happened?’ You accidentally stumble into any room down Broadway and you’re going to find somebody amazing.” — Brett Young, on the Broadway atmosphere.

“I mean, that’s the thing with songwriting: it’s all the production. It’s all in how you perform it. So really, I feel like my music has always been very organic and acoustic, not really that pop, even though I’ve been labeled as the pop genre. I feel like being in the country [genre], has a very nice blend and flow and it’s natural for me.” — Colbie Caillat, on her sound and transition to country music.

“We were very intentional about getting the right song and the follow-up to that and just kind of allowing the process to shape itself really, and allowing the songs to show themselves. And so, yeah, it’s been awesome. I really enjoy performing that song. You have to plan your breaths on that song because it’s like spitfire—it’s nonstop.” — Brian Kelley, on his new music and the release of the single “See You Next Summer.”

Get the full scoop on the happenings of Spotify House by tuning into the full episode.

Want more from the weekend? Turn up Spotify’s Hot Country playlist, which also boasts the best, brightest, and on-the-rise country music talent, and check out a photo gallery of the four guitar-strumming, ballad-belting days.