Nothing could rain on Spotify’s Best New Artist party’s parade. Even if the rain came pouring at random moments throughout the night, it was clear that Spotify’s annual celebration was the place to be Thursday. Turn your head to the left to see Reneé Rapp and Towa Bird giggling and sipping a drink. Turn to the right to spot Kesha posing for photos in front of a giant poster of Jelly Roll.
Spotify’s Best New Artist party celebrated the brightest rising stars in music today, featuring performances from almost all of the nominees for Sunday’s Best New Artist Grammy, except for Fred Again.
Attendees were driven onto the Paramount Studios lot in Hollywood on golf carts as the crispy wind caused folks to cuddle up at check-in. Burgeoning artists from The Driver Era and Remi Wolf to Conan Gray and Tainy were spotted as folks entered an outside portion of the event, decorated entirely by neon lights and bright orange (A less-than-subtle nod to event sponsor Dunkin).
“What’s the umbrella update?” asked one worker as the rain started to force everybody inside. It was a minor inconvenience to the hubbub of the event. Saint Harrison and Lu Kala waited at the bar, where cold brew-mixed drinks and Espresso Martinis were being served to all. (Maybe they have Ice Spice and Ben Affleck’s Munchkins collab to thank.)
Onstage, The War and Treaty opened the night with a medley performance of their Lover’s Game hits, including “That’s How Love Is Made.” As the room filled up, artists such as Chappell Roan roamed the room in hooved shoes, greeting fans and friends.
Lainey Wilson and Jelly Roll perform at Spotify’s 2024 Best New Artist Party
Catherine Powell/Getty Images
War and Treaty’s soulful Americana vibes set the tone for some of the R&B-leaning performances of the evening: Coco Jones, who sent the crowd into a frenzy with a cover of Beyoncé’s “Crazy in Love,” while Victoria Monét stopped by the event for two quick songs after playing her own party hosted by Variety and TikTok. (We will never say no to shaking us to “On My Mama.”)
The hottest couple at the party was Dove Cameron and Maneskin’s Damiano David, who were inseparable as they greeted friends before Jelly Roll’s set. As soon as the country newcomer hit the stage, folks came pouring into the already-packed venue.
The highlight of the night, though, was Noah Kahan, who, with his slicked back hair and braids, made the crowd giggle between his banjo-backed songs. “I’m Noah Kahan and we’re Mumford and Sons,” he said as he introduced himself and his band. (Kahan played “Maybe” with the group late last year.) In the middle of his set, Kahan surprised the crowd with an appearance by fellow BNA nominee Gracie Abrams, who performed “Everywhere, Everything” with him.
“I don’t know how it works but if y’all can vote for me. I’ve been trying for that Nick Kids’ Choice Award,” Kahan joked before “Stick Season.” ‘I’m trying to get slimed.”
Abrams joined the party after Kahan’s set and was spotted in the crowd chatting with Maude Latour before the performance everyone looked forward to: Ice Spice. The rap star arrived in a nude-black-striped body suit and her hair pressed as she performed a short set of two songs. She set the mood with “Fart (You Think You’re the Shit)” and performed “Deli,” shaking her ass just as you’d expect the Bronx queen to.
The evening showcased the diversity of nominees for this year’s award as performances jumped from country to R&B to indie-rock to pop to rap. Spotify skillfully fit all of the artists into one night and got them all onstage by 11:30 p.m. The only feedback? Maybe invite fewer people next time.