Just days after Apple pulled the plug on its annual U.K.-based Apple Music Festival after a ten year run, Spotify has announced that it will by heading to the United Kingdom to stage a music festival of its own.
The so-called “Who We Be” festival will debut November 30 at London’s Alexandra Palace. Its lineup will include the likes of British grime and hip hop artists Dizzee Rascal, Bugzy Malone, Cardi B, Giggs, J Hus, and Stefflon Don.
Ahead of the festival, Spotify has shared a Who We Be playlist, offering a preview of what attendees can expect. Ticket sales will begin for Spotify Playlist subscribers tomorrow, while general ticket sales start on Monday.
Right now Spotify and Apple Music are engaged in a fierce battle to be crowned the premier streaming music service. At present, Spotify is winning that battle with upwards of 60 million paying subscribers, compared to Apple Music’s 27 million.
Earlier this week, Spotify teamed up with Hulu to provide a $5 a month deal to students in the U.S., offering access to Spotify Premium and Hulu’s “Limited Commercials” plan. This matches the $5 a month low-cost student plan Apple offers — which also comes with a focus on video content.
Not finished yet
Although Apple has reportedly staged its last Apple Music Festival, it’s not putting an end to its music promoting days altogether. Instead, it appears that Apple will sponsor one-off shows or the occasional tour by artists. Recently, it sponsored a show by Arcade Fire in Brooklyn, New York, while it recently showed up at the South by Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas.
Right now, the Apple Music Festival website allows users to “explore the festival’s proud history” by viewing some of the “iconic performances” of the past.
Do you think Apple made a tactical error giving up ground to Spotify with the end of the Apple Music Festival? Leave your comments below.
Via: The Verge
