Spotify launches COVID-19 Music Relief project, pledges $10m

The project, which is aimed at music industry professionals, will not provide financial support. Instead, it will recommend organisations that offer financial relief to musicians around the world who are affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The company will also donate to these organisations.

The music streaming platform has already partnered with relief funds such as MusiCares, PRS Foundation and Help Musicians. More partners around the world are expected to be added.

Spotify will also match the donations made on the Spotify COVID-19 Music Relief page dollar for dollar up to a maximum of $10m.

Music professionals who need assistance can get more information about applying for relief here.

Additionally, Spotify is introducing a new feature that will enable artists to fundraise directly from fans during this difficult time. Through their Spotify artist profile pages, the new service will give users the ability to direct listeners to the fundraising destination of the artist's choice. Artists will be able to link a verified funding page for themselves, another musician in need of funds, or a separate initiative of their choice. The feature will be optional to artists with no extra costs.

Spotify for Artists users interested in this feature can sign up here ahead of its launch.

The music streaming platform also revealed some changes on a number of its Creator Tools programmes: music talent marketplace SoundBetter has reduced costs, cloud-based audio recording platform SoundTrap will offer extended free trials for educators, and Anchor will waive fees on its Listener Support feature.

The news comes after Spotify was criticised recently for its lack of response to the COVID-19 crisis, with musicians signing a petition that asks the streaming service to triple royalty payments.