Three nights before the Grammys, on a shady, tree-lined street in West Hollywood, the energy in the air was palpable. Last Thursday was officially the start of Grammy’s season, when the industry city came alive to celebrate music’s brightest stars. To kick off the weekend, Spotify hosted its annual Best New Artist event, which, since its start in 2017, has become one of the biggest pre-Grammy parties in town.

Held in celebration of the industry’s rising talents, each of this year’s Best New Artist nominees were in attendance, including Addison Rae, Alex Warren, KATSEYE, Leon Thomas, Lola Young, Olivia Dean, sombr, and The Marías. Artists weren’t the only ones present, though – swarms of agents, publicists, managers and others who eat, sleep and breathe music for a living came together to recognise the artists at the forefront of music’s future. Below, find out what went down.

It was very LA

Does it get more LA than a party held at a studio lot? Spotify’s bash took place at the Lot at Formosa, an 11-acre production venue on the corner of Santa Monica Boulevard. As the sun set, the venue’s indoor-outdoor layout allowed guests to seamlessly flow throughout the space. The party was expansive in both scale and possibility; you could order a smashburger next to someone on your Spotify Wrapped on one end, and hear Olivia Dean belt “Man I Need” on the other.

There was no shortage of looks

Though the actual Grammy carpet may get all the hype, the fits served on Spotify’s carpet were much more than just a warm up. Addison pulled up in Gaga-style shades and a leather trench coat, while KATSEYE came donned in sequins. Aside from the nominees, the carpet also saw appearances from artists like Ravyn Lenae, PinkPantheress and KAYTRANADA.

It sounded like your 2025 Spotify Wrapped (probably)

Throughout the night, each of the eight nominees reminded the crowd why it was undeniably their moment. Refreshingly, none of their sounds were even remotely the same. In a single night, guests could experience the melancholic beauty of The Marías’ “No One Noticed”, the seductive thrill of Addison Rae’s “Diet Pepsi” and the addictive swagger of Leon Thomas’s “MUTT”.

Things got heated!

Aside from the artists, other rising names in Hollywood were also present. Heated Rivalry stars Robbie Graham-Kuntz and Nadine Bhabha stopped by, along with internet creators like Delaney Rowe and Rickey Thompson.