The streaming music giant unveils its global list of Artists to Watch 2026, a batch of must-hear, do-see acts across Afrobeats, country, hip-hop, Latin, Punjabi and more.
Guitar bands aren’t on the way out in Australia, if Spotify’s watchlist is anything to go by.
The streaming music giant unveils its global list of Artists to Watch 2026, a batch of must-hear, do-see acts across Afrobeats, country, hip-hop, Latin and more.
Two of the three acts listed in the rock/alternative category, genre-bending rock artist Ecca Vandal, and Speed, the NSW Music Prize-winning Sydney hardcore act, hail from the land down under. Austin, TX rock act Die Spitz is also selected to enter the big leagues.
A third Aussie act, Melbourne indie-folk group Folk Bitch Trio, makes the cut in Spotify’s indie-folk category.
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“Australian artists are increasingly shaping global music culture, and these three are right at the forefront,” comments Ben Watts, Spotify’s AUNZ head of music, in a statement. “Ecca Vandal, Speed, and Folk Bitch Trio are building audiences at home and internationally, while also pushing their genres forward – which is exactly what Spotify’s Artists to Watch is all about.”
The annual list is curated by Spotify’s local and global editorial teams, highlighting emerging artists gaining momentum on playlists, building international audiences, and pushing their genres into new territory.
Each featured artist has a handy piece of real estate with an “essential” track added to Spotify’s Artists to Watch 2026 playlist.
Other hotly anticipated artists for the year ahead include Irish electronic dance act KETTAMA, U.S. indie band Fcukers, and Chilean singer Young Cister.
Separately, Spotify’s global editors and songwriter and publisher partnerships team have unveiled their Songwriters to Watch class for 2026.
“Songwriters are the architects of the songs we fall in love with, and too often their stories stay behind the scenes,” explains Jacqueline Ankner, head of songwriter & publisher partnerships at Spotify.
“With Songwriters to Watch 2026,” Ankner adds, “we are spotlighting the creators shaping culture across genres, from Nashville hitmakers to global pop builders and producer-writers pushing sound forward. Our goal is to help these writers reach new audiences, deepen industry recognition, and celebrate the craft at the heart of every great song.”
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The likes of Travis Wood, Ikky and Caitlin Stubbs are among those spotlighted for the Spotify poll, each of whom has two essential cuts added to the Songwriters to Watch 2026 playlist.
Ikky, a prominent Canadian producer and collaborator of major Punjabi artists including Karan Aujla, says “EVERYTHING begins with the songwriting and recognizing songwriters is about respecting the craft and people behind the music we love. I am so grateful to Spotify for taking the time to acknowledge us because when writers are supported, great music gets heard.”
By late 2025, Spotify boasted upwards of 713 million users worldwide, including 281 million paid subscribers in more than 180 markets.
