Here at Spotify, we’re well aware that a whole lot more goes into building your career than meets the eye. As a modern artist, you, your team or your label basically have to be experts in everything—from finding collaborators and building out release strategies, to planning tours and designing your merch.

That’s why we’re proud to introduce Co.Lab, a new Spotify for Artists event series designed to connect you with experts from across the industry - label reps, touring experts, and creative directors - to help you build your network and understand the nuts and bolts of the modern music industry. Every Co.Lab event will be organized around a particular theme in the music business today. Experts will draw on their experience, offering practical advice and insider knowledge on the most meaningful topics facing artists today.

Our first season of Co.Lab will take place over the coming months in New York and Los Angeles. Topics will include Collaboration, Release Strategies, Touring, Merch, and Revenue Streams. Featured speakers include Annie Flook (Dir. Touring & Artist Development, Atlantic Records), Malia James (Video Music Director), Jenny Swiatowy (VP, Head of Creative Sync Licensing, Capitol Music Group), Jamal Dauda (Global Head of Music, WeTransfer), Jeff Ellis, (Studio Engineer), Christian Coffey (Tour Director), Mitra Khayyam (Creative Director), Loric Sih (Live DJ for Kelela), Alex Gvojic (Lighting Designer), Kacie Lehman (SVP of Partnerships for MAC Presents), Morgan Rhodes (Music Supervisor), Sam Hockley-Smith (Music Editor for Vulture), Laura Escudé (Ableton-Certified Trainer and Live Show Designer), and more. Panels will be moderated by Frosty (Founder of dublab) and Mindy Abovitz-Monk (Founder of Tom Tom Magazine). You’ll be able to meet experts in person, spend time with other artists, and build out your network to drive future collaborations.

Today we’re opening up applications for the first five events—to apply, click right here. You’ve got to be at least 21 years old and verified on Spotify for Artists. (If you haven’t claimed your profile yet, you can do so by clicking right here.) Also, since each event has limited capacity, we’re prioritizing artists with 1,000 or more followers on Spotify.

In the coming weeks, we’ll announce updates and additional experts, so follow along on Instagram and Twitter.

See you there!