Spotify Invests A$200K in Australian Youth Music

Spotify's founder and chairman, Daniel Ek, recently visited Australia to launch a significant multi-year grassroots music initiative. A cornerstone of this effort is a new, first-of-its-kind partnership with The Push, a national organization dedicated to fostering safer and more inclusive music communities for young people.

This three-year arrangement includes a A$200,000 donation from Spotify, which is the largest single donation The Push has ever received as it celebrates its 40th anniversary. This investment is specifically aimed at creating pathways for young Australians to enter and thrive in the music industry.

The initiative focuses on supporting the next generation of Australian artists and industry leaders. Spotify's chief public affairs officer, Dustee Jenkins, highlighted Australia as the second most-engaged market globally, with approximately 50% of its 25 million population actively using the platform. The company also reported that Australian artists generated over $300 million in royalties in the previous year, with a significant portion stemming from international listeners.

Through efforts like the Turn Up Aus campaign, which generated an additional 223 million streams of domestic music, Spotify aims to bolster the visibility and success of homegrown artists. The partnership with The Push will directly support the organization's ten-year strategy, A National Plan for Young Australians and Music, which calls for broader industry and government support to ensure all young people can participate in the music scene, regardless of their background or location.