As a music agent, I’ve spent countless hours navigating the complex world of playlist curation to promote my artists’ music. In today’s digital landscape, getting your tracks on the right playlists can be a game-changer, catapulting an unknown artist into the spotlight or helping established acts maintain their momentum. But with so many playlist curators out there, it can be overwhelming to know where to start.
That’s why I’ve compiled this list of the 10 best playlist curators to submit your music to. These platforms have proven their worth time and time again, offering not just impressive reach but also genuine engagement and valuable feedback.
1. SpinGrey
SpinGrey is a well-respected playlist curator known for their diverse selection of indie and alternative music. With a following of over 100,000 listeners across multiple playlists, SpinGrey offers artists an excellent opportunity to gain exposure. They accept submissions across various genres, including indie rock, indie pop, alternative, and electronic music. SpinGrey’s curators are known for their keen ear and ability to spot emerging talent, making them a go-to choice for many up-and-coming artists looking to break into the indie music scene.
2. Playlist Curator
Playlist Curator stands out as one of the most prominent online playlist curation services, offering a diverse range of carefully crafted playlists across multiple streaming platforms. Their extensive collection covers various themes, moods, and occasions, catering to a wide array of musical preferences. The platform’s team of experienced curators employs a meticulous approach to playlist creation, ensuring each selection maintains thematic coherence while introducing listeners to both emerging artists and timeless classics.
One of Playlist Curator’s key strengths lies in its commitment to quality control and user engagement. Each track undergoes a rigorous evaluation process, considering factors such as production quality, lyrical content, and overall artistic merit. The platform also values user feedback, regularly analyzing engagement data to refine their playlists and better serve their audience’s preferences.
For artists looking to submit their music, Playlist Curator offers a straightforward submission process. They welcome submissions for various themed playlists, including popular categories like « Songs About True Love, » « Songs About Soulmates, » and « Songs About the Sun and Sunshine ». However, due to the high volume of submissions received, they maintain a policy of not notifying artists of rejections, advising submitters to assume rejection if they haven’t heard back within a month.
Playlist Curator distributes its playlists across major streaming platforms, including YouTube Music, Spotify, and SoundCloud, maximizing exposure for featured artists. The platform also offers a unique feature allowing users to bookmark their favorite playlists by registering an account, enhancing the listening experience and encouraging user engagement.
3. For the Love of Bands
For the Love of Bands is an independent playlist brand that focuses on showcasing independent and emerging talent. They curate playlists across multiple streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, YouTube, and Soundcloud. Their playlists cover a wide range of genres, with a particular emphasis on rock, alternative, americana, country, folk/roots, punk, and ska/reggae. For the Love of Bands is especially popular among band-oriented artists, as their name suggests. They offer free submissions and are known for their dedication to discovering and promoting new, exciting acts in the independent music scene.
4. Soundplate
Soundplate is a comprehensive platform that not only curates playlists but also offers a range of tools and resources for musicians. Their playlist submission system is renowned for being one of the most efficient and user-friendly in the industry. Soundplate organizes playlists by genre, making it easy for artists to find the right fit for their music. They cover a wide array of genres, including house, electronic, pop, hip-hop, chill, rock, and many more. In addition to playlist curation, Soundplate provides valuable resources such as a playlist analyzer, track analyzer, and music marketing tutorials, making it a one-stop-shop for artists looking to promote their music effectively.
5. MySphera
MySphera is a rapidly growing playlist curation service that has gained significant traction in the music industry. Known for their eclectic taste and diverse range of playlists, MySphera caters to various genres including pop, indie, electronic, and hip-hop. Their team of experienced curators meticulously selects tracks that not only fit the playlist’s theme but also resonate with their listeners. MySphera’s playlists have a combined following of over 500,000 listeners, offering artists substantial exposure potential. They also provide detailed analytics to artists, allowing them to track their performance and engagement across different playlists.
6. SongRocket
SongRocket has established itself as a go-to platform for independent artists looking to boost their streaming numbers. Their unique approach combines playlist curation with targeted promotion strategies. SongRocket’s playlists cover a wide spectrum of genres, from mainstream pop and rock to niche categories like lo-fi and ambient. What sets SongRocket apart is their commitment to fairness and transparency in the submission process. They use an algorithm-assisted curation method that considers factors such as production quality, originality, and audience engagement potential. This approach ensures that deserving tracks from lesser-known artists have a fair chance of being featured alongside more established acts.
7. SoundCampaign
SoundCampaign is more than just a playlist curator; it’s a comprehensive music marketing platform. Their playlist submission service is just one part of a larger ecosystem designed to help artists gain visibility and grow their fanbase. SoundCampaign’s playlists are known for their high engagement rates and loyal listener base. They specialize in electronic music genres, including house, techno, trance, and EDM, but also feature playlists for pop, rock, and hip-hop. What makes SoundCampaign unique is their holistic approach to music promotion. In addition to playlist placement, they offer services such as press release distribution, social media promotion, and collaboration opportunities with other artists. This multi-faceted approach makes SoundCampaign an attractive option for artists looking for comprehensive music promotion solutions.
8. iMusician
iMusician is a comprehensive music distribution and promotion platform that also offers playlist curation services. They maintain several genre-specific playlists, including their popular « i’M Electronic » playlist for emerging electronic artists. iMusician allows artists to submit their music for free consideration, making it an accessible option for independent musicians. Their playlists cover a wide range of genres, providing opportunities for artists across various musical styles. In addition to playlist curation, iMusician offers valuable resources and guides to help artists navigate the complex world of music streaming and promotion.
9. Submit Hub
SubmitHub is one of the most transparent and widely-used platforms for music submissions to playlist curators, blogs, and influencers. It operates on a unique model where artists can submit their tracks to a vast network of curators, either through free or paid submissions. The platform boasts a diverse range of curators, from small independent playlist owners to major music blogs and labels. SubmitHub’s strength lies in its transparency, providing detailed feedback from curators and clear statistics on submission outcomes. This makes it an invaluable tool for artists looking to gain exposure and understand how their music is received by industry professionals.
10. Playlist Push
Playlist Push is a leading music promotion service that specializes in connecting artists with playlist curators and TikTok creators. With a network of over 8,900 creators and trusted by more than 25,000 artists and labels, Playlist Push offers significant reach potential. They use an AI-powered algorithm to match songs with appropriate playlists and creators, increasing the chances of successful placements. Playlist Push is known for its rigorous vetting process for curators, ensuring that all playlists have authentic engagement and organic streams. The platform also provides a comprehensive dashboard with advanced analytics and placement data, allowing artists to track the performance of their campaigns effectively.