Spotify is closing all its offices this week, so I’m closing Spotify

Spotify is closing all offices this week, so I’m closing Spotify.

My personal week-long “boycott” of Spotify is not a protest. In fact, Wellness Week, which offers Spotify employees “the opportunity to put some extra focus on their own wellness,” is something more companies need to copy.

“With this extra week of paid time off, it’s our hope that our employees around the world can take the time they need for themselves, and return to work revitalized, refreshed, and energized,” wrote Spotify’s Katarina Berg on the streamer’s HR blog.

Spotify is closed this week, so I am closing Spotify

As I did last year, I’m closing my Spotify app to learn more about the myriad of other music streaming services available.

As a heavy Spotify user, I know less than I should about its competitors. That’s not an acceptable knowledge gap for anyone (aka everyone, including artists) in the music business who is concerned with music marketing, discovery, consumption, or monetization.

I don’t expect to cause a noticeable drop in Spotify’s MAUs, but I urge you to join me in spending time on other services. Tidal, Soundcloud, and Audius each have free tiers. Apple Music, Amazon Music, Deezer, Napster, and other “Spotify Alternatives” all offer free trials ranging from 30 – 90 days.

Right now, I’m listening to Boston’s WUMB and rediscovering the joys of live hand-curated radio from my home in Roanoke, Virginia, using the free version of the TuneIn app. Next up, WXPN from Philadelphia…

Bruce Houghton is the Founder and Editor of Hypebot and MusicThinkTank and a Senior Advisor to Bandsintown, which acquired both publications in 2019. He is also President of the Skyline Artists Agency and a professor for the Berklee College Of Music.