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Ringo Starr Celebrates His Birthday With His Annual Peace & Love Campaign On July 7 2024

This July 7, 2024 Ringo Starr and his wife Barbara Starkey will be joined on his birthday by family and friends, including Joe and Marjorie Walsh, Fred Armisen, Ed Begley Jr, Gregg Bissonette, Ben Dickey, Steve Dudas, Ben Harper, Greg Leisz, Asa & Roy Orbison Jr, Matt Sorum, Stephen Stills, Nick Valensi, Diane Warren, Don Was, Willie Watson, Gabe Witcher and more. NASA continues to support spreading the message to and from the universe, including messages of Peace & Love on their socials from across the solar system.

Prior to this musicians, including Ben Harper, Gabe Witcher, Willie Watson, Greg Leisz, Don Was, Ben Dickey and Gregg Bissonnette with Steve Dudas will celebrate Ringo’s music with tribute performances.

“OK Peace & Love here we go again!” said Ringo in a video message. “Thanks for joining me on my birthday. I am so grateful to you all for helping me promote Peace & Love. I want to give special thanks to all the Peace & Love Ambassadors – we are in 34 countries! thanks for doing it – and I gotta thank all the fans, peace & love – just join me in your mind, or on the bus or wherever you are on the 7th of the 7th just go Peace & Love at Noon your local time.”

The global celebrations continue to be confirmed and so far include (listed by time zones):

Sydney, Australia
Seoul, South Korea
Tokyo, Japan
Osaka, Japan
Yerevan, Armenia
Yekaterinburg, Russia
Tallin, Estonia
Ticino, Switzerland
Halle, Germany
Barcelona, Spain
Madrid, Spain
Brescia, Italy
Liverpool, UK
London, UK – Abbey Road Institute
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Chascomús, Argentina
São Paulo, Brazil
Recife, Brazil
Uruguay
Amherst, NY USA
New York, USA
Cleveland, USA – Rock Hall
Asuncion, Paraguay
Lima, Peru
Bogota, Columbia
Panama City, Panama
Green Bay, WI USA
Guatemala City, Guatemala
San Jose, Costa Rica
Puebla, Mexico
Mexico City, Mexico
Las Vegas, NV USA
Los Angeles, USA
Maui, Hawaii, USA
NASA (Outer Space)

The complete list of events will be posted on Ringo’s facebook page.

From now through July 7, The Beatles Channel on SiriusXM (Channel 18), will air special programming celebrating Ringo’s birthday. Listen now to The Beatles Channel on the SiriusXM App link https://sxm.app.link/RingoBirthdayPR

Starbucks will also be supporting Ringo’s peace & Love campaign by playing a special playlist in 15,000 US & Canadian locations and a few key cities throughout South America, Europe & Asia.

Please watch and share this message from Ringo – posting anytime as of July 1, 2024 – so people know how to participate.

And remember – Peace & Love!

Multi-Grammy Nominee and 4x Blues Music Award-Winner Duke Robillard’s Lost Album ‘Roll With Me’ Is Out August 30

Stony Plain Records announces an August 30 release date for Roll With Me, the new album from two-time Grammy nominee and four-time Blues Music Award-winning guitarist Duke Robillard.

“Back in the early 2000’s I was given the OK to start a new blues album for Stony Plain,” Duke Robillard explains about the new album’s genesis. “It was a very prolific period for me, and somehow after recording nine hot blues tracks, I got another album concept and we started another album session. I said we’d get back to the blues album soon after finishing the new project. As things sometimes go, we got busy with gigging, touring and life, and the blues album we cut kept getting put aside and we kept coming up with new album concepts within months of release of the last one.

“Finally, after two decades and dozens of recordings, we got to the place where it was time for my final Stony Plain record. All this time, I knew we had to get back to the album we had started back in 2005. I knew those tracks were really strong, but until I listened to them again, I didn’t realize just how strong they really were.”

On Roll With Me, Robillard pays blazing tribute to Texas immortal Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown on “You Got Money” and the instrumental “Boogie Uproar;” legendary blues shouter Big Joe Turner on a piano-driven “Boogie Woogie Country Girl” and New Orleans kingpin Fats Domino on the rumba-rocking “Are You Going My Way.” There’s also a trio of Chicago blues classics from the respective songbooks of Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf and Eddie Boyd. Duke’s vocals connect with the same power as his razor-sharp guitar (Chris Cote takes over at the mic for “Look What You’ve Done” and “You Got Money”).

Duke invited some heavy hitters to back him up. Pianist Matt McCabe is on all but two tracks (those feature Bruce Bears), while bassist Marty Ballou and drummer Mark Teixeira keep the rhythm section cooking. Doug James and Rich Lataille are among the muscular saxophonists; Sugar Ray Norcia guests on harp for “Look What You’ve Done.” Duke cools the tempo down to lights-out level for an elegant “Give Me Back My Money,” but the title track sums the mood up: this album hurtles forward like a hard-charging midnight express.

Recorded at Duke’s Mood Room in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, by Thom Hiller and Lakewest Recording in West Greenwich, R.I. by John Paul Gauthier, Roll With Me is the latest in a long and distinguished series of albums the guitarist has made for Holger Petersen’s Canadian indie Stony Plain. Their working relationship harks back to 1993, when the two met at a folk festival in Winnipeg. Petersen was the executive producer on Robillard’s album, Duke’s Blues the next year. Duke developed into a Stony Plain mainstay with Stretchin’ Out Live (1998), Living with the Blues (2002), Exalted Lover (2003), Blue Mood—The Songs of T-Bone Walker (2004), Guitar Groove-A-Rama (2006), Duke Robillard’s World Full of Blues (2007) and The Acoustic Blues of Duke Robillard (2015).

“I’m traveling and playing all over the world still, so this is definitely not a farewell record,” Robillard happily reports. Now it’s time to roll with Duke!

ROLL WITH ME Track Listing
1. Bluecoat Man (Eddie Boyd)
2. Just Kiss Me (Duke Robillard)
3. Are You Going My Way (Antoine Domino)
4. I Know You Love Me (Joe Turner)
5. Boogie Uproar (Clarence Brown)
6. Look What You Done (McKinley Morganfield)
7. Built For Comfort (Willie Dixon)
8. My Plea (Duke Robillard)
9. You Got Money (Clarence Brown)
10. Boogie Woogie Country Girl (Joe Turner)
11. Give Me Back My Money (Duke Robillard)
12. Don’t You Want To Roll Will Me (Duke Robillard)

Bossa Nova Buddies: JUNO Nominees Alex Bird, Ewen Farncombe & Cheo Turn Chance Meeting Into ‘Papaya’

Stop us if you’ve heard this one before: Two Toronto jazzmen and a Brooklyn DJ walk into a bar. And when they all walk out, they’ve written the slap of the summer.

Okay, that’s a bit of an oversimplification. But it’s still a good thumbnail for how we got “Papaya,” the intoxicating first collaboration between Canadian national treasures of jazz Alex Bird and Ewen Farncombe and Venezuelan-born, New York-based Latin-dance giant Cheo. And boy, is their story a case of being in the right place at the right time.

It all went down when Cheo arrived early for a DJ gig at Toronto’s Rivoli and decided to see who was playing at the nearby Cameron House. That turned out to be the celebrated Alex Bird and the Jazz Mavericks, featuring Bird on vocals and Farncombe on piano. Taken by what he heard, Cheo began corresponding with Bird—and before long, the three of them had written an exciting set of tunes that played to all their strengths while carving out something vibrant and distinctive in its own right.

Appropriately enough, the first fruit of their alliance we’re getting to sample is “Papaya,” which may have its roots in a chance meeting in Ontario but evokes the spirit of NYC’s famed Copacabana club in 1968. With the multi-talented Cheo on guitar and Farncombe on Fender Rhodes and Wurlitzer, the track keeps up a head-bobbing, hip-swaying lilt while Bird brings pitch-perfect period enunciation to the imagery of a “dance they do/ Gettin’ way down low/ With a Bossa Beat/ Swinging to and fro.” And whoever “they” might be, they certainly seem to be having themselves a time:

Well, they wave their hands
And they flip their hair
Without a care
Goin’ with the flow

Bird and Farncombe brought in their fellow Maverick Jacob Gorzhaltsan to provide tenor sax and flute. While they were all ready, they put down a full EP, the forthcoming Casanova, Bossa Nova, Lover Man. One of the most hotly anticipated releases of summer ‘24, the record teams “Papaya” with three more songs: the title track, “All the Way Tonight” and “Lullaby for Dreaming.” The latter two were brought to the table by Cheo and then had their lyrics translated into English by Bird; the other half are Bird/Farncombe compositions with words by Bird and Cheo.

What you’ll hear is the dynamic synthesis of some seriously formidable pedigrees. Undisputed masters of modern vocal jazz, Bird and Farncombe have been nominated for two JUNOs—first with the Mavericks for 2021’s You Are the Light and the Way and more recently in the 2024 Vocal Jazz Album of the Year category for their duo recording, Songwriter. The grateful recipients of support from the Canada Council for the Arts, they also penned the country’s official Thanksgiving anthem, “The Sweetest Moments.” In their various configurations, they’re a top draw on club and concert stages across the country.

Cheo, meanwhile, has won one Latin Grammy and been nominated for another 10, in recognition of his far-ranging skills as a guitarist, songwriter, DJ and producer. Over the course of nearly three decades, he’s woven his name tightly into the fabric of Latin music—first in his native Caracas and later in his adopted home of New York, where he performs extensively as both a solo artist and a member of numerous popular bands, including his own dance/funk outfit, Los Amigos Invisibles. He’s a vigorous collaborator whose partnership with Neil Ochoa and Alvaro Benavidez as Los Crema Paraiso yielded the 2015 album De película, later named one of the 10 best of the year by NPR. During the pandemic, his weekend DJ sets “Casaecheo” and “Bajo Perfil” were streamed to over 20,000 live viewers.

Now these highly accomplished boundary-breakers have come together to introduce us to what they call “bossa nova for the 21st century.” Based on their past triumphs and the tantalizing groove laid down on “Papaya,” they’re clearly on to something. Aren’t you glad Cheo didn’t stop into a pizza joint instead?

Country Singer Brittany Brodie Gives It Her All With “Like A Woman Should”

When you finish your workday, you want to leave the stresses, strains and struggles of the job at the door and feel comfort, companionship and love from your better half at home. Canadian country singer Brittany Brodie is bringing those feelings to the surface with her latest stellar single “Like A Woman Should,” out now.

Brodie, who grew up in Mount Forest, Ontario but now calls Nashville home, wrote the song at the Nashville Songwriters Association International with help from co-writers and friends Natalie Otto and Charles Austin. “We wanted to write something very down-to-earth, real and romantic about loving your man when you get in from a long day or a long week and just want to show him appreciation when you reconnect after being so busy,” she says. “Making time for each other.”

The song’s surefire arrangement gives way to Brodie’s sweet delivery with a style that would make stalwarts like Shania Twain, The Chicks or Carrie Underwood jealous. Free of any slick production qualities or gadgetry, “Like A Woman Should” is a sensual, earthy, Americana-flavored track that would sound strong on the Opry stage or sitting around a campfire. The lyrics showcase how Brodie would want to treat her better half when the rigors of the proverbial rat race are done.

Give it your all, puttin’ in the time
I’m countin’ down the seconds
Since our last goodbye
Til you’re home again
Oh til you’re home again

“Some people have said it’s the country version of Marvin Gaye’s ‘Let’s Get It On,’ which I think is perfect,” Brodie says of her 26th single release. “It feels so good to write about what comes easy, which is real life that everyone can relate to.”

Listening to country legends like Vern Gosdin, Johnny Horton, George Strait and Dottie West growing up, Brodie also was influenced by Trisha Yearwood, Martina McBride and Faith Hill. It’s those talented touchstones Brodie has used in honing her own material while performing nationally and internationally, including an appearance at Scotland’s Belladrum Festival in July, 2022. She also regularly performs the national anthem prior to Nashville Sounds Triple A baseball home games.

When not on the road, she can also be found performing in and around Nashville. Such gigs include playing as part of Rebel Rouser Rounds at The Stillery and a Nashville Songwriter’s Showcase at The Commodore Grille. In June, 2024, she also made her maiden appearance at the Smash Farm at Live Oak in Nashville. Such shows in the country music hub also resulted in her sharing the stage and performing with country icon Vince Gill.

The future looks wide open for Brittany Brodie thanks to “Like A Woman Should,” a single that speaks to a universal desire after punching the time clock. “I love a true story, and you can feel that in this song.”

SoundExchange CEO Michael Huppe and Country Music Legend Randy Travis Call on Congress to Approve the American Music Fairness Act

On June 26, SoundExchange CEO and President Michael Huppe and country music icon Randy Travis testified before Congress on the American Music Fairness Act (H.R. 791), which would require AM/FM radio stations to pay artists royalties when their songs are played on the air.

In his testimony at a hearing of the House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet, SoundExchange CEO and President Michael Huppe highlighted that the U.S. is the only democratic nation in the world without a performance right for artists on AM/FM radio and advocated for Congress to modernize the nation’s copyright law to protect creators.

Huppe said, “Congress must set a standard that creators need to be compensated wherever and whenever their music is played – especially when their creations form the backbone of the business model like they do for AM/FM radio.”

Huppe also underscored how the current system harms artists domestically and overseas: “American musicians lose almost $300 million of taxable U.S. income each year because we lack these protections in the U.S. – this is on top of the hundreds of millions of dollars they are already missing out on domestically.”

Country music star Randy Travis also provided testimony during the hearing on behalf of creators. Randy’s remarks (delivered by his wife Mary) emphasized the need to provide fair compensation for artists who form the backbone of the music industry.

Mary Travis said, “Music is, was, and will always be his lifeline. But that lifeline has changed. And we need to acknowledge that. The days of Randy packing a car and trekking thousands of miles across the country to visit radio stations and deliver copies of his newest cuts on cassette, in hopes of having his music heard, are a thing of the past.

Of all the things we do differently than we did a century ago, one thing remains the same—the voice is still the mandatory bridge between the writer and the listener. And it’s time to do right by the ones that create the sound, the melody, the emotion that keeps the listeners coming back and the advertisers buying in.”

In 2013, Travis was hospitalized with viral cardiomyopathy and now suffers from aphasia, making it difficult to speak and sing. Earlier this year, Travis demonstrated how artificial intelligence can be a powerful tool in support of creators by using an AI model to release a new song, called “Where That Came From.”

Today, Randy and Mary Travis joined ABC’s Good Morning America to share more about his journey, the importance of the American Music Fairness Act, and how AI can positively impact the music industry with the right protections in place.

Full witness testimony as well as a video of the hearing is available at judiciary.house.gov.

Summer Entertainment in Vegas is Stacked, From Chart-Topping Divas to Throwback Acts and More

Las Vegas has long been synonymous with entertainment, offering headlining residencies from global superstars, tour stops from today’s top acts and comedy sets from the best comics in the game. Spectacular shows can be found year-round, but the entertainment landscape heats up even more during summer.

To mark the season of sensational entertainment, Visit Las Vegas has debuted its Alive in Vegas campaign. Here in Vegas, you don’t just go for the show, you go for an experience—you go to feel alive. The artists featured in the campaign and playing the destination this summer season can be listened to with the LVCVA’s Alive in Vegas Spotify playlist.

Here are some of the season’s most anticipated shows, from a lineup of divas with powerhouse vocals to throwback shows and more.

Chart-Topping Divas
The leading ladies of the music industry—representing country, pop and more—take the stage up and down the Strip, in both headlining residencies and highly anticipated concerts.

  • Lady Gaga continues her LADY GAGA: JAZZ & PIANO residency at Dolby Live at Park MGM on select dates through Saturday, July 6.

  • Mariah Carey continues her Mariah Carey: The Celebration of Mimi Live in Las Vegas residency at Dolby Live at Park MGM on select dates from Friday, July 26 through Saturday, Aug. 10.

  • Shania Twain continues her COME ON OVER – The Las Vegas Residency – All the Hits! run at Bakkt Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on select dates from Friday, Aug. 23 through Saturday, Sept. 7.

  • P!nk brings her Summer Carnival tour back to Allegiant Stadium for a second time—with special guest Sheryl Crow—on Friday, Sept. 13.

’90s Throwbacks
The ’90s are back in a big way, and Vegas has taken notice with several nostalgic residencies and concerts.

Country Music 
Cowboy boots and Stetsons aren’t just for when the rodeo is in town in Las Vegas, as the summer entertainment calendar features some of country’s most popular acts.

Women in the Comedy Scene 
Stand-up comedy has long been known as an industry dominated by men, but some of its brightest women stars are taking the mic in Vegas.

For a full listing of summer entertainment, visit the LVCVA Newsroom. For more information on entertainment in Las Vegas, go to www.VisitLasVegas.com.

Elton John Partners with eBay to Release a Personal Collection of Pre-Loved Fashion in Support of Elton John AIDS Foundation

This Pride Month, Elton John is bringing his legendary wardrobe to eBay to benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation, giving collectors and fans a once-in-a-lifetime chance to own a piece of fashion history. “Rocket Man Resale” will feature hundreds of items from Elton’s closet, including bespoke Gucci jackets, Versace robes, customized Prada loafers, as well as affordable items such as historic concert T-shirts and baseball caps. The auction begins on June 27, and 100% of sales will benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

“Giving new life to the cherished items from my wardrobe has always been special to me. For decades I’ve donated my closet’s treasures to support the Elton John AIDS Foundation,” said Elton John. “This Pride Month, I’m excited to share my Atlanta treasure trove on eBay, hoping these items will inspire you to express your unique spirit and bring you as much joy as they’ve brought me. Whether you’re after high-end luxury or something more laid-back, there’s a perfect find for everyone. Even better, every dollar goes to supporting the Elton John AIDS Foundation’s work to end LGBTQ+ stigma.”

For nearly three decades, eBay has championed the circular economy, serving as a top destination for enthusiasts to unearth in-demand and hard-to-find pre-loved apparel and luxury items. Starting June 27, Rocket Man Resale will bring storied fashion, luxury and collectibles out of the closet and onto eBay, giving the marketplace’s 132 million active buyers in more than 190 markets around the world the chance to channel Elton John’s enviable style.

To kick-off the auction on the eBay app at 1:10pm ET on June 27, creative entrepreneur Emma Rogue and singer-songwriter Stephen Sanchez will host a live-streamed shopping event on eBay Live featuring Elton John and David Furnish. In addition to hundreds of pieces from Elton’s wardrobe, David Furnish, Donatella Versace, Brandi Carlile, Betsey Johnson, Robin Roberts and Andy Cohen will be offering select pre-loved pieces from their own closets. There are multiple ways to browse and buy the collection, including a brick-and-mortar shop open from 2pm to 6pm ET in New York City on June 27.

“Elton John’s wardrobe is decades in the making – to own something worn by him is to own a piece of music and fashion history,” said Charis Marquez, VP of Fashion at eBay. “Having a cultural icon selling his pre-loved fashion on eBay in support of the Elton John AIDS Foundation is a real indicator of our ability to offer incredible access to luxury items that you just can’t find anywhere else.”

“eBay’s reach presents an unparalleled opportunity to share the Foundation’s inclusive message with millions worldwide who share a passion for Elton and his legendary style,” said Anne Aslett, CEO of the Elton John AIDS Foundation. “We are happy to partner with eBay to promote a more sustainable future and to see Elton’s fabulous items enjoyed by donors. By participating in this auction, you will help support our programs to end the stigma and discrimination that prevent so many from accessing lifesaving HIV care – an important message not just for Pride Month, but every day of the year.”

The 10-day online auction will commence on June 27 at 9am ET at ebay.com/rocketmanresale. All items on auction will be offered at a starting bid of $26.60 – a nod to the Peachtree Road address of Elton’s previous Atlanta home – with a handful of additional items listed at “Buy It Now” fixed prices. In addition to the Rocket Man Resale auction, eBay shoppers will have the option to support Elton John AIDS Foundation when they checkout on ebay.com from June 23 through June 30, 2024.

On June 27 at 1:10pm ET, Elton, David Furnish and friends will also appear on eBay Live – eBay’s Live shopping platform accessible via the eBay app, hosted by Emma Rogue and Stephen Sanchez.

Shoppers can also visit Rocket Man Resale in-store (51 8th Ave New York, NY) for one day only on June 27, 2pm to 6pm ET.

Flea, Portugal. The Man, The Interrupters, Thundercat, Anderson .Paak And More To Appear In Yo Gabba GabbaLand!

Being silly is so much fun! Reunite with friends old and new, including Flea, Portugal. The Man, The Interrupters, Thundercat, Anderson .Paak, The Linda Lindas, Kurt Vile, Betty Who, The Drums, and more in Yo Gabba GabbaLand! streaming August 9 only on Apple TV+.

Alice Cooper and Rocco Mediate Team Up for New Golf Show on SiriusXM

Rock legend Alice Cooper and six-time PGA Tour winner Rocco Mediate are teaming up for a unique new golf show airing exclusively on SiriusXM.

Since taking up the game nearly 50 years ago as he was recovering from alcohol addiction, Cooper has been one of golf’s best known celebrity devotees. He would say later that he had essentially traded one addiction for another. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer has been on the golf course six days a week for the past 30 years (even while touring), boasts an impressive four handicap, and titled his 2007 autobiography: “Alice Cooper, Golf Monster.”

Mediate and Cooper are frequent playing partners and on this show they will share stories from their careers, talk with guests from the worlds of entertainment and golf, and discuss the latest topics from the professional tour, equipment, instruction and more.

“Rolling the Rock with Alice Cooper and Rocco Mediate” will debut Tuesday, July 2 (6 pm ET) and air monthly on the SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio channel. SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio is available to listeners nationwide in their cars (channel 92) and on the SiriusXM app: https://sxm.app.link/PGATourRadioonSXM.

“Rocco asked me to do this show with him, talking about rock and golf, and it could not be a more perfect fit,” said Cooper. “We‘ve known each other a long time. We’ve played in many tournaments together. He’s a frustrated rocker and I’m a frustrated golfer. It’s match made on the fairway to heaven. It’s an anything goes show that is all improv – we have no idea what we’re going to talk about until we start talking. We’re quite literally just ‘rolling the rock.’”

“Alice and Rocco are larger-than-life personalities with a deep mutual love of golf and music, and on SiriusXM they have a platform to share their passion for both with our audience,” said Scott Greenstein, SiriusXM’s President and Chief Content Officer. “When you bring together two people who are among the best at what they do, and give them the freedom to create a show that truly showcases their personalities and perspectives, you get dynamic and compelling programming. If you are into golf, music or both, this is a show you don’t want to miss.”

Known as the architect of shock rock, Alice Cooper pioneered a grandly theatrical brand of hard rock that drew inspiration from horror movies, vaudeville, and garage rock. His extraordinary career in music has spanned 60 years, starting in the 1960s as leader of the Alice Cooper Band, whose albums “School’s Out” and “Billion Dollar Babies” climbed the charts in the 1970s. Cooper and the other members of the Alice Cooper Band were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011. As a solo artist, Cooper’s hits include “You and Me,” “I Never Cry” and “Welcome to My Nightmare.” Cooper continues to tour regularly today, performing shows worldwide with the dark and horror-themed theatrics that he’s best known for.

Mediate joined the PGA TOUR in 1986 and earned the first of his six tour wins at the 1991 Doral-Ryder Open. He finished in the top 10 in major championships four times in his career. Perhaps the most memorable of these was his runner-up finish at the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines, when he competed head-to-head against Tiger Woods over 19 playoff holes. Mediate has four wins on PGA TOUR Champions since joining in 2013, including a major victory at the 2016 Senior PGA Championship.

In addition to hosting the new “Rolling the Rock” show, Mediate hosts his own twice-a-week program, “The Rocco Hour,” Monday and Tuesday nights on SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio.

SiriusXM’s exclusive golf channel delivers live coverage of PGA TOUR events, The Masters Tournament, U.S. Open, PGA Championship, the Open Championship and other events, as well as daily original programming focused on the latest golf news, instruction, equipment and more.

How Big Are Spotify’s Video Podcasts? 250,000 And Counting

As one of the most powerful forms of human expression today, video ​​is becoming core to the global Spotify experience. They have been steadily investing in the format to connect creators and fans in new, deeper ways on our platform, from the recent launch of music videos in beta to testing video-based learning courses in the U.K. But the medium has seen the most growth in the podcasting space, where video is truly changing the game—in fact, more than 170 million users have watched a video podcast on Spotify.

Spotify introduced video podcasts for a select number of shows in 2020, and they’ve since made the format available for creators in nearly every market. They recently made it possible for non-hosted podcast creators to upload video to Spotify for the first time, opening up yet another avenue for their engagement and success.

All the while, video podcasts have been growing in popularity, with creators around the world leaning into the format to deepen engagement with their fans. More than half of the top 20 podcasts on Spotify have video, including heavy hitters like The Joe Rogan Experience and Call Her Daddy. The format is resonating with audiences, who want to be able to choose how to engage with their favorite content. Globally on Spotify, the average daily streams of video podcasts have increased by more than 39% year-over-year. In the U.S., nearly two-thirds of podcast listeners say they prefer shows with video, according to a recent Cumulus Media survey.

“Spotify is always evolving to better serve our users and drive success for creators,” said Jordan Newman, Head of Content Partnerships at Spotify. “With podcasts, the video format can add an additional layer of authenticity and connection for fans. That’s why we continue to hear that audiences want the ability to not only listen, but also watch their favorite shows. And we see that in the data: Audience retention increases when creators add video—and every creator wants a loyal, highly engaged fan base that keeps coming back.”

“We continue to see demand for video from both creators and their audiences,” Newman continued. “The number of creators publishing video each month keeps growing, and more and more of our users are watching. As demand continues to rise, we will keep enhancing our video capabilities.”

The rise of video content on Spotify

Globally, video consumption hours on Spotify have grown faster than audio-only consumption hours year-over-year, and audiences retain video podcasts at higher rates than audio podcasts. But what exactly does that growth look like? During VidCon 2024 this week, Spotify revealed new stats around the popularity of video as a medium on our platform.

  • There are now more than 250,000 video podcast shows on Spotify—up from 100,000 in 2023.
  • More than 170 million users have watched a video podcast on Spotify.
  • More than 70% of users consuming video podcasts watch them in the foreground.
  • On Spotify, nearly 1 in 3 U.S. podcast monthly active users (MAUs) engage with video, while nearly 1 in 4 global podcast MAUs engage with video. Globally, the number of video podcast MAUs has grown by 40% year-over-year.
  • The number of creators actively publishing video each month has grown nearly 70% year-over-year.
  • The largest markets by creators publishing video are the U.S., Brazil, and Mexico.
  • In Brazil and the Philippines, roughly 20% of all monthly active podcast creators are publishing video. This share has nearly doubled since last year.
  • At the market level, especially in Chile and Brazil, they are seeing video grow its share of total podcast consumption hours. In Chile, video hours make up a quarter of total podcast consumption hours. In Brazil, video hours make up more than 15% of total podcast consumption hours.
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That Eric Alper
6-time nominee for Publicist of the Year during Canadian Music Week, a 16-time JUNO Award winner overseeing PR campaigns, and have also been truly honoured to work with some of the biggest and most important artists of our time.

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