Image Credit: Spotify

Spotify will soon host audio conversations in real time after acquiring Locker Room, a live audio app, challenging Clubhouse.

Spotify has announced the purchase of Betty Labs, the makers of live audio app Locker Room. With the acquisition comes the news that Spotify is officially looking to enter the world of live audio.

In keeping with the hints about shaping the “future of audio” at their Stream On event last month, Spotify plans to expand Locker Room into an “enhanced live audio experience,” covering a range of topics such as music, cultural programming and sports. There’ll be interactive features letting creators to connect with audiences in real time – broadcasting live discussions, debates and Q&A sessions. Musicians, podcasters, songwriters and professional athletes will be given a platform to host live audio conversations.

This all sounds an awful lot like Clubhouse, the recently launched social audio app that’s turned the fickle heads of Silicon Valley. In response to the hype around Clubhouse, Twitter recently fast-tracked its similar Spaces tool, and Facebook is looking to add an audio-only option to its Rooms feature.

Gustav Söderström, Chief Research and Development Officer at Spotify, said: “Creators and fans have been asking for live formats on Spotify, and we’re excited that soon, we’ll make them available to hundreds of millions of listeners and millions of creators on our platform. The world already turns to us for music, podcasts, and other unique audio experiences, and this new live audio experience is a powerful complement that will enhance and extend the on-demand experience we provide today.” 

Spotify said it will make use of Betty Lab’s data, insights, and information on user experience to build live and on-demand offerings. Locker Room launched in October 2020 as a live audio app aimed at sports fans.

Howard Akumiah, Founder and CEO of Betty Labs, said: “We are excited to join forces with Spotify and contribute to building the future of audio — we’ll invest more in our product, open the experience to Spotify’s audience, diversify our content offerings, and continue expanding the community we’ve built. With Spotify, we’ll continue to offer the best home for sports fans and use the lessons we’ve learned along the way to create the ultimate destination for live conversation around music and culture.”