Spotify Introduces ‘Ad-Free Plan’ Where Artists Beg You Personally For €1

Spotify unveiled its newest ad‑free plan: instead of commercials, artists themselves beg listeners for spare change. Subscribers will receive personalised pleas, ranging from emerging indie bands sending heartfelt voice notes to superstars popping by your door with a card reader.

The company says the model “puts creators first,” mainly in the queue outside your house. Between songs, you’ll hear gentle taps on the window and a polite request for “just €1 for the chorus you loved.” For premium tiers, Ed Sheeran will harmonise while you look for coins; for ultra‑premium, Bono texts ‘just €1 for Africa.’

Critics called it exploitative. Musicians called it Tuesday. One artist said the feature finally gives them a chance to meet fans and borrow their chargers. Tech analysts noted the plan cleverly replaces advertising with guilt, which tests better in focus groups.

Users can opt out by pressing ‘Remind Me Later,’ which schedules the artist to return during dinner. Early adopters say the music sounds better when someone is staring at you hopefully from the hallway.

Spotify insists artists keep 0.0001% of the €1 after processing fees, “which is more than before.”