Spotify launches COVID-19 Music Relief, and in-app artist fundraising feature

With musicians unable to tour currently due to COVID-19, most artists’ main revenue stream has been turned off. Streaming music giant Spotify, one of the main ways people listen to music now, has not offered to give musicians a bigger percentage per song stream (something all musicians want), but they have launched the Spotify COVID-19 Music Relief project which “recommends verified organizations that offer financial relief to those in the music community most in need around the world.” With the launch they’ve announced that they’re partnering with MusiCares, PRS Foundation, and Help Musicians, with plans to add more organizations. “Spotify is making a donation to these organizations and will match donations made via the Spotify COVID-19 Music Relief page dollar-for-dollar up to a total Spotify contribution of $10 million.” You can contribute here.

Spotify also says they’re going to add a feature to artist profile pages on the service that will “give artists the ability to drive listeners to a fundraising destination of their choice on their Spotify artist profile pages.” Artists can sign up for that here. UPDATE: more details have been announced on this. The program is called Spotify Fundraising Pick:

Just like artists can select any piece of music to highlight on their profile as an Artist’s Pick, they can now highlight a fundraising destination (in addition to their Artist’s Pick).

First and foremost, this feature enables artists who are interested in raising money to support themselves, their bands, or their crews, to get the word out to their fans on their Spotify artist profiles. We have a strong group of initial fundraising partners: Artists can choose to add a link to Cash App, GoFundMe, and PayPal.me.

Artists can also set the Fundraising Pick to be for a charity. Read more here.