Spotify Highlights the Human Side of Discovering New Music

Finding a new song may begin with a streaming recommendation, but Spotify’s IdeaTalks session in Jakarta argued that the journey can go much further. Music discovery, the discussion suggested, is also about understanding the story behind a track and connecting with the artist who made it.

The session, titled “Curating Culture: The Human Side of Music Discovery,” took place during IdeaFest 2026 at JICC Senayan. Held on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, it brought together perspectives from streaming, media and music festivals. The speakers explored how technology recommends music, while human curators decide what feels relevant, provide context and help build a narrative around a work.

That discovery does not happen only on streaming platforms. Concerts and festivals also give listeners a chance to encounter musicians they may never have heard before. Ferry Dermawan, program director at Plainsong Live and Joyland, said the festival lineup should include emerging artists and niche musicians alongside familiar names.

“Many people come to festivals to see the headliners, but festivals can also be a space to discover new musicians,” Ferry said. He added that he relies partly on gut feeling when assessing an artist’s potential, because data cannot always capture an artist’s character or promise.

A first listen can lead audiences to explore more of a musician’s work, follow their career and eventually attend a concert or festival. Spotify’s Song DNA feature supports that process by helping listeners learn about a song and the creators involved in making it. The article presents music discovery as an experience shaped by multiple touchpoints, including streaming services, media and live events.

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Many people come to festivals to see the headliners, but festivals can also be a space to discover new musicians.