Spotify introduced its Surround Sound format at Livespot in Lagos on September 25 and 26, featuring two nights of concerts with Tems and Runtown. The event was unique in that it did not offer public ticket sales. Instead, Spotify used on-platform listening behavior to privately invite selected Premium users, ensuring a room filled with genuine super-fans. This approach allowed for an intimate setting, with a fixed capacity, and created a close artist-fan experience.
The first night of the concert featured Tems, who took center stage and performed tracks from her project For Broken Ears, which contributed to her global ascent. The setlist included hits like Ice T and Damages, as well as earlier cuts like Mr Rebel and Try Me, and newer material like Love Me JeJe and What You Need. Tems reflected on her journey, mentioning the humble beginnings of her catalogue, including making Free Mind on her bed, experimenting with chords.
The in-the-round setup of the concert meant that the audience's voices became a structural part of the performance. One attendee, @tmdmrv on X, noted that Tems' performance of Burning at Surround Sound was emotionally resonant and forever imprinted in their heart. This format allowed for a deep connection between the artist and the audience, creating a memorable experience.
The second night of the concert featured Runtown, who commanded the room with his live band, performing for the first time in a decade. His set was a masterclass in chronicling Nigerian pop history, moving through tracks like Lagos to Kampala and Gallardo, For Life, International Badman Killa, Kini Issue, and Unleash. The highlight of the performance was Mad Over You, a track that appears in over three million user-created Spotify playlists.
Runtown's performance of Mad Over You was particularly notable, as he performed it mid-set and returned to it as a soaring, fan-led encore to close the show. Attendee @wysdavidd on X shared that the performance meant something to them, highlighting the impact of the concert. The event demonstrated the power of music to create meaningful connections between artists and their fans.
For those who did not make the algorithmic guest list, the experience is not lost. Both performances were captured as full-length music films, Surround Sound presents Tems and Surround Sound presents Runtown, designed to extend these exclusive Lagos moments to a global audience. The films promise a visual archive of what happens when the barrier between the artist and the audience is entirely removed.
According to Rifumo Mdaka of Spotify, the live room was intentionally intimate, with a fixed capacity, and used listening signals to reach selected Spotify Premium listeners in Lagos directly. The aim was to create a close artist-fan experience while keeping the room suitable for the performance and film capture. This innovative approach to concerts has set a new standard for live music events.
Key points
- Spotify's Surround Sound format offers an intimate concert experience, selected by listening behavior.
- Tems and Runtown performed exclusive concerts in Lagos, showcasing their music and connecting with fans.
- The concerts were captured as full-length music films, extending the experience to a global audience.
