If you do not know by now, Spotify Stars (like me!) are Spotify followers who interact right here within the Community boards serving to customers, driving discussions, and rather more.
This month, we attended the Spotify Star Jam, an annual occasion the place all of us get collectively and have fun. The occasion has been digital since 2021 for a lot of causes, however this yr, 8 of us are again collectively in-person once more, and we’re tremendous glad about it! As we meet within the coronary heart of Stockholm on the Spotify workplace, our fellow Stars are hanging out collectively just about again house too. So that is the primary time, in our historical past, {that a} Jam is occurring each just about and in-person.
In this weblog, I needed to seize a few of the essence of this unbelievable occasion that was positioned between August twenty second and twenty sixth, and allow you to all know what we have been as much as! We’ve had three wonderful days getting collectively at completely different occasions on the Spotify HQ, while having the chance to expertise some enjoyable actions within the metropolis. I can undoubtedly say that we’re collectively once more (in-person) and I’ve no phrases to specific how cool it’s. Here is what we have performed…
Wednesday:
We arrived in Stockholm all through the day and slowly settled in. To our shock, there was a swag bundle in our resort rooms ready for us, with a hoodie exhibiting off our ‘Together Again‘ slogan, and another cool treats. Once we acquired everybody collectively (and refreshed with some espresso!) we began the actions on the workplace. We managed to even sync up with our Star mates again house just about, by dialing right into a listening occasion hangout they have been having. With some introductions to comply with, accompanied by pizza and many video games, you may’t go fallacious with an ice-breaker session. It felt surreal to suppose that the majority of us had by no means met earlier than this! With jet lag creeping in (Stars arrived from Brazil, India, Mexico, Spain, and the USA!) we then headed again to prepare for the following day.
Thursday:
On Thursday, we began our actions earlier, in any case, there was a lot to do and a so many Spotifiers to fulfill. We kicked off with an workplace tour, together with issues just like the video games room, and all the great locations everybody hangs out! It was very cool to see the secrets and techniques the Spotify rooms and halls hold, however we additionally met so many people from completely different groups. Getting insights into their roles and the way vital everybody’s half is within the functioning of Spotify by no means will get previous. We then visited the unbelievable Spotify Studio, with probably the most stunning trendy tech house.
After the studio meet-up, we met with Tamara from the User Research workforce and had a wealthy dialog about how they work to attach the customers’ ideas with the opposite inner groups of Spotify, enhancing the merchandise and growing new options.
Later, we acquired collectively for a particular group picture on the terrace, the place we have been left speechless by the views of Stockholm beneath. It was a second to mirror that we’re actually right here, collectively, and never simply hanging out on-line like traditional.
Luan, Amay, Bittencourt, José, Matt, Billy, Oscar and Adam
After this good second, it was time to assemble as soon as extra to listen to from… Gustav Söderström and Martin Lorentzon in two ‘Fireside Chat’ fashion classes! The relaxed, educated, intimate classes have been really a once-in-a-lifetime expertise. It’s not typically you may say you have been within the entrance row, one in all 8 folks completely chatting with Spotify co-founders and co-presidents.
As if this wasn’t already sufficient, we nonetheless had a chat with a few of the leads inside Customer Service, earlier than we headed to Aifür for a conventional and really Viking Swedish meals expertise. Have you ever eaten your dinner with an unlimited two-pronged fork, as a ‘Viking’ publicizes to you with an enormous horn? Sounds enjoyable proper? Because it was!
Friday:
Our ultimate day was already right here. How was the jet lag at this level, you is likely to be questioning? We have been having an excessive amount of enjoyable to fret about that. We break up into two teams for our Community Roundtable occasions (having the chance to make use of one of many wonderful Spotify HQ convention rooms – it was good!), the place we deep-dived into the Star Program and Community. The collaboration and in-depth discussions are integral to the way forward for the Community and this system, and having chats like this in particular person actually lets you consider that our suggestions is heard.
We additionally had a dialog with our of us from the desktop workforce, the place we might perceive a bit bit extra about how they’re working to enhance the platform and we additionally had a sneak-peak of some nice information, which I undoubtedly wager everyone seems to be ready for, however I can not say the rest, let’s hold the secrets and techniques…
And in case you suppose we have been performed, you are fallacious… After our final day visiting the Spotify HQ, it was time to say goodbye to it and we have been already lacking it after the final actions. We ready ourselves for a pleasant night at Gröna Lund, an amusement park the place we spent our final hours collectively having a lot enjoyable, laughing lots, and sharing some thrilling moments on the adventurous rides and the great live performance. And getting the chance, the bravest member prize goes to @Loneliest_Cabin (in any case, going thrice, and smiling, within the Fritt Fall is not for newbies).
I’d prefer to share with everybody all of the photographs we took and all of the recollections we had on this wonderful Jam, nevertheless, it could take, in all probability greater than a day to share with you all the main points. I can simply say that it was top-of-the-line experiences of my life and assembly everybody in-person was the golden apple of it.
And now you in all probability are questioning concerning the digital Jam. To say extra about it, girls and gents, right here is @Noah…
The digital Jam:
Hello once more, Spotify Community! It’s @Noah right here, fellow Spotify Star. While @Luan took you on an unbelievable journey by means of the colourful streets of Stockholm and the guts of Spotify HQ, I’m right here to plug you into our equally electrifying digital Jam, which was nothing in need of stellar (pun supposed!). Even although we could not be there in particular person, that does not imply we did not Jam to the identical beat, dwelling the identical values, and attending to know one another higher just about from internationally. Without additional ado, let’s dive proper in!
Taking our Jam Swag on an journey:
From the twenty first to the twenty seventh of August, Spotify Stars had the chance to showcase their Spotify swag within the quirkiest of how and locations! Whether up a mountain, on a seashore, and even in your yard, the purpose was to get inventive and snap a enjoyable image. And, to boost the stakes, in case your pic acquired probably the most likes, there was some shock Spotify swag ready for you!
Questions of the day:
Throughout the week, all of us indulged in answering some enjoyable and quirky questions. From sharing our go-to morning track to discussing our childhood meals aversions, it was a stunning mix of recollections, music, and nostalgia. Check out a few of these QOTDs beneath, and drop your personal solutions within the thread!
- Monday, August 21: “What’s your go-to track to begin the day?” By Spotify employees, @Nikola
- Tuesday, August 22: “Is there a kind of meals that you just could not eat as a child, however realized to like whenever you grew up?” By Spotify Star, @Maxim
- Wednesday, August 22: “You’re given the ability to immediately make any track go viral on all streaming platforms. Which hidden gem would you highlight?” By Spotify Star, @Noah (me)
- Thursday, August 23: “If you would hang around with any cartoon character, who would you select and why?” by Spotify Staff, @Kiril
- Saturday, August 25: “Headphones, Earbuds or Speakers: How do you hear?” by Spotify Rising Star, @Prague
- Sunday, August 26: “What’s your theme track?” by Spotify Rising Star, @Prague
“What does the Spotify Star program imply to you?”
The Star program is not nearly music; it is also concerning the group. On August 23, a touching weblog submit made its strategy to the group. Thanks to our weblog grasp, @Joan, Stars from all over the world acquired the chance to share what the Star Program really means to them. If you have not learn it but, be sure to provide it a learn right here: What does the Spotify Star Program imply to you?
Listening Party:
Being Spotify Stars, music is the lifeblood of our group. So, what’s a Jam with out a listening occasion? Curated by our wonderful Spotify employees member, @Kiril, all of us shared our favorite tracks to create an unique Star Jam playlist. This phase was all about grooving collectively, hundreds of miles aside however related by one playlist.
Fun, Games, and Among Us!:
For this yr’s Virtual Star Jam, I used to be again within the internet hosting seat. Though I sometimes lead team-building classes for our stellar crew, I made a decision to alter issues up with a spherical of “Among Us” – a recreation that is all the time a success at my college! It actually did not disappoint, and consider me, it will not be the final time we’re attempting to find an imposter in our midst. Here’s hoping I’ll get the prospect to host one other thrilling Among Us recreation with the entire band within the close to future!
Double Points Days:
To wrap up the digital Jam, we had a rewarding Friday and Saturday the place each contribution earned double factors!
While we weren’t in Stockholm, I felt each bit part of the celebrations. The magic of music, camaraderie, and digital engagements made the space appear trivial. An enormous shoutout to each Star and employees member who made the digital jamming session so memorable. Looking ahead to extra melodies, moments, and recollections within the subsequent Star Jam!
If you need to be part of our band and be capable to participate in our subsequent Jams and another wonderful actions, do not waste extra time… The Spotify Stars Program is only a one-step forward. See if in case you have what it takes to be a Star in this For The Record article.