How to Find Your Next Live Music Obsession on Spotify: A Concert Discovery Guide

Spotify isn’t just a music streaming platform; it’s your digital passport to the world of live music. For years, it’s been quietly evolving into a powerful concert discovery tool. But navigating its gig-finding features can feel like wandering through a sonic labyrinth. Don’t fret; consider this your map.

The simplest answer to the question “How to Look at Concerts on Spotify?” is this: Head to the “Live Events” tab within the app. This section aggregates concerts based on your listening habits and the artists you follow. But the real magic lies in digging deeper, utilizing artist pages, and leveraging integrations with ticketing partners.

Unearthing the Live Music Scene on Spotify

Let’s break down the key methods for discovering concerts on Spotify:

1. The “Live Events” Hub: Your Personalized Concert Concierge

Spotify’s “Live Events” section is your starting point. Here’s how to find it:

• Mobile App (iOS and Android): Tap the Search icon in the bottom navigation bar. Scroll down until you see the “Live Events” section.
• Desktop App: Look for the “Live Events” tab on the left sidebar.

This curated space presents concerts happening near you (based on your location settings) featuring artists you already love, and artists Spotify thinks you should love based on your listening history. This is a great way to discover new artists playing in your area that align with your musical tastes. Spotify often highlights popular or trending events here as well.

2. Artist Pages: Your Direct Line to Tour Dates

The artist page is the most reliable place to find tour information. Once you’re on an artist’s page (search for them or find them from a playlist), look for a “On Tour” or “Events” section.

• Upcoming Shows: Spotify typically lists upcoming concerts with dates, venues, and a “Tickets” button.
• Past Events: You might also see a history of past shows, which can give you an idea of how often an artist tours in your area.
• Follow for Updates: Make sure you follow your favorite artists on Spotify. You’ll receive notifications about new releases and, crucially, tour announcements.

3. Playlist Power: Finding Concerts Through Connections

Spotify’s playlists can lead to concert discoveries in unexpected ways.

• Discover Weekly & Release Radar: These personalized playlists often feature emerging artists. Pay attention to the smaller acts – they’re frequently on tour, playing smaller venues.
• Genre Playlists: Explore genre-specific playlists. Artists featured in these playlists are likely to be performing at festivals or concerts within that genre.
• Spotify Curated Events: Keep an eye out for Spotify-branded events or playlists promoting specific tours or festivals.

4. The Ticketing Integration Advantage: Seamless Purchase

Spotify integrates directly with ticketing partners like Ticketmaster, AXS, Dice, and See Tickets. This means that when you find a concert on Spotify, clicking the “Tickets” button will usually take you directly to the ticketing partner’s website or app, making the purchase process much smoother. This feature not only makes it easier to buy tickets but also helps you avoid scam sites and ensures you’re buying legitimate tickets.

5. Location, Location, Location: The Key to Local Gigs

Spotify uses your location data to personalize concert recommendations. To ensure you’re seeing the most relevant events, enable location services for Spotify in your device settings. You can also manually adjust your preferred location within the app settings, especially useful if you frequently travel or want to see events in a different city.

6. Beyond the Obvious: Finding the Hidden Gems

While Spotify excels at surfacing concerts for well-known artists, it’s also a valuable tool for discovering emerging talent and local shows. Explore local music scenes by:

• Searching for venues: Type the name of a local concert venue into Spotify’s search bar. You might find playlists created by the venue showcasing upcoming performers.
• Checking out “related artists”: On an artist’s page, scroll down to the “Fans Also Like” or “Related Artists” section. This can lead you to other artists in a similar genre who might be touring nearby.
• Following local music blogs or promoters: Some music blogs and promoters have Spotify profiles where they share playlists of artists performing in their events.

Mastering the Spotify Concert Experience

Finding concerts on Spotify is only the first step. Here’s how to maximize your concert-going experience:

• Set Concert Alerts: If an artist you follow announces a tour, Spotify will usually send you a notification. Make sure your notification settings are enabled in the app.
• Save Events: Spotify lets you save upcoming concerts to your “Saved Events” list. This is a convenient way to keep track of shows you’re interested in attending.
• Share Concerts with Friends: Share concert details directly from Spotify with your friends. Organizing group outings has never been easier.
• Pre-Concert Listening: Create a playlist of the artist’s music to get hyped for the show! This is a great way to familiarize yourself with new songs you might hear live.
• Post-Concert Reflections: After the concert, listen to the artist’s music again to relive the experience! You can also share photos and videos from the show on social media.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Concerts on Spotify

Let’s tackle some common queries to further clarify how to find concerts on Spotify.

1. Why am I not seeing any concerts listed on Spotify?

There are a few reasons why you might not be seeing any concerts: First, ensure location services are enabled for Spotify. Second, very few or none of the artists you follow are currently touring. Third, your filter settings may be too restrictive. Fourth, make sure your Spotify app is updated to the latest version. Older versions may not support the latest features.

2. How accurate is Spotify’s concert information?

Spotify pulls concert data from various sources, including artists, venues, and ticketing partners. While generally accurate, it’s always a good idea to double-check the details on the ticketing partner’s website before purchasing tickets. Concert dates and venues can change, so it’s wise to confirm the information.

3. Can I filter concerts by genre or date on Spotify?

Currently, Spotify’s filtering options are limited. You can primarily filter by location. However, the algorithm is tailored to your listening habits. To find more specific genre shows, the best workaround is to follow more artists in that genre.

4. Does Spotify show concerts for all artists, or just major labels?

Spotify displays concerts for artists of all sizes, from local bands to international superstars. The key is whether the artist or their team has uploaded their tour dates to a supported ticketing platform.

5. How does Spotify know which concerts are near me?

Spotify uses your device’s location services to determine your current location and display relevant concerts. You can adjust your preferred location in the app settings.

6. Can I buy tickets directly through Spotify?

No, Spotify doesn’t sell tickets directly. When you click the “Tickets” button, you’ll be redirected to a ticketing partner’s website (e.g., Ticketmaster, AXS, Dice). This ensures a secure and verified ticket purchase.

7. Is Spotify’s concert discovery feature free?

Yes, the concert discovery feature is available to all Spotify users, including those with free accounts. However, ad-supported users might encounter more interruptions.

8. How do I report incorrect concert information on Spotify?

If you find inaccurate information (e.g., wrong date, venue), you can report it by contacting Spotify’s support team. This helps improve the accuracy of the platform for all users.

9. Does Spotify recommend concerts based on my listening history?

Yes, Spotify’s algorithm analyzes your listening history to suggest concerts featuring artists you already love or those with similar sounds. This personalization is a key strength of the platform.

10. Can I sync my Spotify account with other concert discovery apps?

Yes, Many concert discovery apps, such as Bandsintown, integrate with Spotify. This allows you to import your followed artists and receive personalized concert recommendations across multiple platforms.

11. How often does Spotify update its concert listings?

Spotify’s concert listings are updated regularly, often multiple times per day. However, the frequency can depend on the ticketing partners and the artists themselves.

12. What if an artist I follow isn’t showing concert dates on Spotify?

There are several possibilities: The artist may not be touring, their tour dates may not be loaded into Spotify’s partner systems, or there may be temporary technical issues. Try checking the artist’s official website or social media for tour information.

By mastering these techniques and understanding the nuances of Spotify’s concert discovery features, you can transform the platform from a simple music streamer into your ultimate guide to live music experiences. Now go forth and find your next favorite show!