Everything to know about Spotify’s annual Best New Artist celebration party

Spotify hosts star studded celebration for best new artist nominees

Spotify held its annual Best New Artist celebration on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, in Los Angeles. The event returned to the Lot at Formosa in West Hollywood after being canceled the previous year.

This party is a major pre-Grammy tradition that honors the eight musicians nominated for the Best New Artist award. Each nominee was given a chance to perform their most popular songs for an audience of industry leaders and fans.

This celebration highlights the platform’s role in helping emerging talent find global success through digital streaming and curated playlists.

Rotating stage design allows for fast transitions between performers

The 2026 event featured a unique rotating stage that allowed all nominees to perform in a single night. This design meant that as one artist finished their set, the stage would immediately turn to reveal the next performer.

To keep the energy high, the audience never knew which rising star would emerge next from behind the curtain. This innovative format ensured that every nominee received equal attention from the star-studded crowd.

Leon Thomas with soulful R&B performance

Leon Thomas was among the nominees who performed on the rotating stage during the showcase. He entered the 68th Grammy Awards with multiple major nominations, including Best New Artist and Album of the Year for MUTT.

Thomas performed a three-song set that included his hit “Mutt” and showcased his electric-guitar skills. As a former child star who transitioned into a successful producer and songwriter, Thomas exemplifies the depth of experience among this year’s new artists.

Lola Young makes emotional return to the live stage

Lola Young delivered an impassioned performance on the rotating stage in West Hollywood. This was her first live appearance since Sept. 27, 2025, when she fainted during a festival in New York.

Young performed four songs for the crowd, including her popular track, d£aler. She took a moment to thank the fans for their support during her recovery and medical break. She remains a strong contender for the award.

Alex Warren reaches billion stream milestone

Alex Warren brought his anthemic pop sound to the Spotify celebration following a massive year of growth. His breakout song, titled Ordinary joined the Spotify Billions Club in late 2025 after reaching over 1 billion total streams.

During his set, Warren led the audience in a loud sing-along of his biggest hits. He also achieved a high ranking on global charts, with his debut album reaching No. 7 in worldwide streams.

His journey from social media creator to a Grammy-nominated musician was a highlight of the celebration.

Global girl group Katseye brings high energy choreography to L.A.

The girl group Katseye performed an electric set that filled the venue with pop energy and athletic dance moves. Over 120,000 artists applied to join the group during a massive global talent search.

Only 20 finalists were chosen to compete for the final spots in the band. During the Spotify party, the members performed their hit song Gnarly and several other tracks from their debut project.

Their performance showcased the international appeal of modern pop music. The group’s polished stage presence made them stand out among the solo artists and bands

Addison Rae performs medley of her breakout pop hits

Addison Rae transitioned from a digital superstar to a serious music contender during the 2026 awards cycle. She performed a medley of three songs, including “In the Rain” and her massive hit “Diet Pepsi.”

This track was a breakout success for Rae and helped her secure a spot in the Best New Artist category. Since 2021, she has released a string of singles and EPs, building a loyal fan base on Spotify.

Hilton sponsored an immersive pop-up suite at The Lot at Formosa inspired by its new Diamond Reserve loyalty tier, which Hilton introduced for 2026.

Sombr highlights the power of social media for independent artists

The artist known as Sombr performed his pop-rock tracks for the first time as a Grammy nominee. His 2025 hit, titled “Back to Friends,” was a landmark success that reached No. 6 on the global most-streamed songs list.

During his set, Sombr joked that he was not even able to get into the party the year before. His rise to fame shows how quickly an independent artist can reach the top of the music industry through viral moments and consistent streaming.

He performed three songs before passing the stage to Addison.

The Marias bring bilingual dream pop to the rotating stage

The Marías delivered a dreamy and bilingual performance that blended English and Spanish lyrics seamlessly. The band has built massive momentum since releasing their debut album and earning two Grammy nominations in recent years.

During the Spotify celebration, they performed their popular songs, “No One Noticed” and “Sienna,” for the crowd. Their sound is heavily influenced by vintage soul and dream pop, making them a favorite among indie music listeners.

Their set added a calm and atmospheric vibe to the night as the celebration moved toward the final performances in L.A.

Olivia Dean closes the night as a frontrunner for the award

Olivia Dean was the final performer of the evening and is widely considered a favorite to win the Best New Artist trophy. She performed two of her most popular tracks, including the hit “Man I Need.”

Dean has an old soul and a timeless voice that has earned her millions of monthly listeners on the platform. After the showcase, many critics praised Dean’s set, and several identified her as a leading contender going into the Grammys.

Celebrity guests and industry leaders attend the exclusive event

The Spotify party attracted many of the entertainment industry’s biggest names to West Hollywood. In addition to the eight nominees, famous guests like Diplo and Lady Gaga were spotted in the crowd.

Lady Gaga herself earned 7 total nominations for the 68th Grammy Awards. Other attendees included Zara Larsson, Lewis Capaldi, and Benson Boone. The high level of celebrity attendance underscores the Best New Artist party’s status as a major networking event.

Industry executives from every major record label were present to support their newest stars before the big awards show.

Immersive partner suites offer hospitality for guests between sets

The event partner, Hilton, created an immersive pop-up suite inside the Lot at Formosa venue. This space was inspired by Hilton Honors Diamond Reserve, which is the newest and most prestigious tier of their loyalty program.

Guests could relax in this elevated area between the fast-paced performances on the rotating stage. The suite offered signature hospitality and a space for artists to connect.

This partnership is part of Spotify’s effort to create a premium experience for the creators who are shaping the future of the entire global music industry.

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A group performance on Grammy night

All eight of the Best New Artist nominees also performed together as a group on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026.

They joined a star-studded lineup that includes major performers like Justin Bieber. This group medley gave each rising star a moment in the spotlight on one of the world’s biggest stages. The Spotify party served as a perfect rehearsal for this historic moment for these young music creators.

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Do industry events like this really help break new artists? Share your thoughts below.

This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.

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