HILTON, LIVE NATION AND SPOTIFY ARE TRAVELLING AT THE SPEED OF MUSIC

Last night, atop the legendary Beverly Hilton, Interscope’s OneRepublic dished out a superb rooftop performance as part of the launch of Music Happens Here—a new integrated music program that’s the result of a just announced partnership between Hilton, Live Nation, the Recording Academy and Spotify.

The program focuses on the powerful intersection of music and travel and provides Hilton Honors members with access to intimate concerts and unique experiences.

Then there’s the Music Happens Here original video series, which is presented by Hilton, produced by Live Nation and available via Spotify. This is a first-of-its-kind Spotify feature that gives audiences “an insider’s guide to some of the most iconic places where music has been created, performed and celebrated,” according to a statement from Hilton.

Original video content from Spotify… ain’t that interesting?

And corresponding curated playlists (found exclusively on Spotify) will guide listeners on a walking tour of the featured cities.


“We are thrilled to have co-created this breakthrough program with Hilton to bring truly unique music experiences to fans all over the world,” said Live Nation EVP Media & Sponsorship Darin Wolf. “Whether fans are seeking out new destinations to follow their favorite artist or adding a live music event to maximize their travel experience, Music Happens Here will help amplify those experiences and create memorable moments.”

“We don’t partner with a lot of companies. A lot of companies will come at you with offers of compensation, but a lot of people can smell bullshit. We like to partner with companies we appreciate and use on a daily basis. In all my memories of travelling while growing up, there’s a Hilton, and I use Spotify all the time. We’re proud to be a part of this program,” shared OneRepublic frontman Ryan Tedder at last night’s gig.

The Ron Laffitte-managed group seemed genuinely thrilled to be there and delivered a knockout set that included platinum hit “Love Runs Out,” the multi-platinum “All The Right Moves,” “Wherever I Go,” “Stop and Stare,” “Apologize” (4x platinum), “Good Life” (3x platinum) and “Counting Stars”—the chart-topping third single from 2013’s Native.

The sound was pristine, as was Tedder’s falsetto, and the Chardonnay was flowing. Not a bad way to kick off Grammy week.