Spotify returns to Ole Red with 'Spotify House' installation during CMA Fest

In two weeks, 80,000-plus country music fans are expected to descend upon Nashville's Lower Broadway and Nissan Stadium for the golden celebration of 50 years of Country Music Association-related festival activities.

Among many familiar favorites alongside the CMA's multitude of stages and activities for the 50th CMA Fest, one activation, in particular, intends to stand out prominently once again.

At Ole Red, from June 8-11, 2023, nearly 50 acts -- including Brad Paisley, Brothers Osborne, Dierks Bentley, Hailey Whitters, Ingrid Andress, Jordan Davis, Mickey Guyton, Old Dominion and Lady A -- will grace the stage at the now annual "Spotify House" venue takeover.

Country fans can stop by Thursday, June 8 through Saturday, June 10 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. CT and Sunday, June 11 from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. CT. All shows will be open to the public, and space will be limited to first-come, first-served.

"The Spotify House has become a CMA Fest staple and we couldn't be more excited to be returning to Ole Red again this year," said Jackie Augustus, Lead, Country & Folk, Artist Partnerships at Spotify.

"As always, we wanted the lineup to reflect the trends and discoveries that listeners have been making on platform. Every year the genre expands into new influences and sounds, so we're looking forward to giving the fans an opportunity to experience 2023 country in its fullest. And as always, we have a few surprises up our sleeves, so you never know who might show up on our stage…"

Insofar as new experiences and sounds, in a move tipping a cap to Indio, California's Stagecoach Festival, Diplo and Cheat Codes, DJ/producers who have significantly dabbled in country music of late, will host late-night DJ sets at Ole Red.

Maybe not to this magnitude in 2023, but surprises at past Spotify House events have seen Spotify bring Lil Nas X to Lower Broadway in 2019, among numerous headliners, at Blake Shelton and Opry Entertainment Group’s venue.

A diverse set of veteran artists including Brett Young, Brian Kelley, Chase Rice, Chayce Beckham, Chris Young, Colbie Caillat, Jon Pardi, Mitchell Tenpenny, Riley Green and Sam Hunt are scheduled to appear, alongside roughly two dozen other artists whose renown is growing on the platform.

Spotify will also bring back the Fresh Finds Stage, which supports rising talent and music discovery by highlighting artists on the platform's Fresh Finds Country playlist performing live throughout the weekend.

Country music's listenership has surged nearly 50% on Spotify in the past three years via a spike in interest in the Hot Country, '90s Country, Party Cove and Next From Nashville curated playlists.

Moreover, playlists including Fresh Finds, artists of color-celebrating Frequency Country and Country Latino (celebrating Hispanic talent in country music) have also seen increased popularity.

For more information on Spotify's CMA Fest installations, visit https://olered.com/nashville/spotify-house-at-ole-red-faq.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Spotify returns to Ole Red with 'Spotify House' installation during CMA Fest