This year, Spotify once again presented the industry’s most promising newcomers for the streaming service. At the “INTRODUCING” event on Tuesday, September 19th, Spotify organized a kind of music speed dating: four artists took to the stage at the Säalchen in Berlin. The genre ranged from piano ballads to dance tracks, power pop and German-language indie.
First up was Katie Gregson-MacLeod. The Scottish singer-songwriter even elicited a tear or two from the front row with her melancholic singing voice. A red wine glass wobbled on her keyboard and the artist sipped it every now and then. Gregson-MacLeod also chatted with the audience and, with her portrayal of a clumsy character, contrasted with the serious and soulful ballads that she accompanied herself on the piano and guitar. In her as yet unreleased track “TV Show,” the singer compares her “long-distance situational breakup” to an episode of the cult series “The Office.” “I know a relationship should never have such a long title,” joked the musician. Katie Gregson-MacLeod looks like she’s playing for her friends in the local bar around the corner and not in front of hundreds of people.
The intense rattle of a drum set pulls the crowd out of their thoughts. A saxophone solo makes the audience cheer. A fair debut for the Irish indie pop duo 49th & Main. Where there was a moment of crying, people are now throwing their hands in the air and dancing violently. With their sunglasses and loose T-shirts, producer Ben O’Sullivan, singer Paddy King and the band would probably be at a beach party. They are particularly looking forward to their personal favorite mood-maker “Up To Something”. No wonder, the lyrics fit perfectly into the Berlin scene: “She thinks I must be up to something / Cause on weekdays, I’m out to 6 / am just doing cocaine”. The dance tracks of the urban Sunny Boys prepare the audience for the rest of the evening, which becomes more atmospheric with each act.
Next up: Cloudy June. Before you can see the musician, there is a little genre guessing – at least for those who didn’t know the Berlin songwriter. The smoke machine is running at full speed, hiding the small stage over which the green Spotify logo dances. Dark tones come from the speakers. Skirt? Metal? Rap? Cloudy June jumps onto the stage in patent trousers and a leather corset. She tosses her red curls from side to side. She surprises the audience with her pop hymns. On songs like “21st Century Princess,” she sings of strong and independent femininity. Meanwhile, she moves confidently on stage and rehearses dances with her listeners.
When the first cheering roar echoes into the silence, it becomes clear that the last act of the evening doesn’t really need any introduction. Mayberg comes onto the stage beaming. Dressed entirely in white. The guitar strap in rainbow colors. The German indie pop singer ends his first song “Wien” with an embarrassed look. The 23-year-old probably expected a milder reaction. The crowd jumps, dances and even knows the lyrics to his recently released tracks “Sympäthetic” and “The Most Beautiful Person in the World”. The songwriter chuckles happily. Mayberg, whose real name is Luis Raue, impresses with his approachable character. As he leaves the stage, the audience immediately demands an encore. Mayberg doesn’t wait long and plays two more tracks – including “Hilferuf”. He ends the evening sweating wetly and visibly fulfilled.
The crowd disperses and streams out of the Berlin hall. The cold night air fills your lungs. Unlike when looking for a partner in speed dating, there was something for everyone this evening. Thanks to the diverse mix, all spectators went home with at least one exciting accompaniment (on their ears).