Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Costs of the Perfect Playlist — A Seminar with Liz Pelly

Journalist and critic Liz Pelly’s Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Costs of the Perfect Playlist has invigorated both academic and journalistic critique of Spotify, while arming musicians with a powerful set of arguments for imagining alternative platforms and economic models for music.

In this two-hour seminar, Pelly will lead a discussion of the book’s key themes and the broader context of streaming, extractive platforms, and the political economy of music. We’ll explore how Spotify’s algorithms and business practices shape listening habits, culture, and livelihoods, and look at existing initiatives that aim to put power back in the hands of musicians. Participants will be invited to share their own ideas, experiences, and alternative visions for more equitable and imaginative music futures.

Light lunch and snacks provided!

Venue: Radio Theatre (Building 9, level 1, room 24, RMIT City campus).

Presented by Music Industry Research Collective (MIRC) and The ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society (ADM+S)