Spotify Leverages Live Audio Tech for New Listening Party Feature

While Spotify’s live audio app may no longer be active, the company has repurposed its technology to enhance connections between fans and artists through the “Listening Party” feature. This feature enables highly engaged fans to participate in events such as album releases, providing them with opportunities to interact with artists and ask questions.

According to confirmation from Spotify to TechCrunch, the “Listening Party” feature has been undergoing testing in the U.S. and Indonesia since December 2023, with plans for expansion into additional markets.

“It’s still in its early stages, but we’ve had a few artists test it over the last few months, including Zara Larsson and Bleachers,” stated a Spotify spokesperson.

A Listening Party is prominently featured in the events section of an artist’s profile on Spotify. The company clarified that while usually, top fans of an artist receive a dedicated invitation, any Spotify Premium user can participate in the Listening Party through the event listing. Spotify did not detail the criteria for defining a top fan, other than mentioning users who have “demonstrated an affinity for the artist over time.”

Utilizing real-time audio technology, fans have the option to request to go “onstage” during a session, allowing for direct interaction with the artist. Additionally, each listening party includes a live chat room where attendees can engage with each other and the artist during the event.