Spotify has taken its live music experience in Lagos in a more personal direction, bringing Tems and Runtown into an intimate setting where selected fans could watch the Nigerian stars perform from close range.
The two-night Spotify Surround Sound Lagos 2026 event took place at Livespot on September 25 and 26. Unlike a conventional concert, there was no public ticket sale. Spotify selected Premium listeners based on their listening behaviour and invited them directly to the experience.
Tems Turns Familiar Songs Into a Close-Up Experience
Tems performed on September 25, revisiting music from her debut EP For Broken Ears while also moving through other parts of her catalogue.
One of the night’s standout moments came when she performed “Burning”, with the audience joining in. She also performed songs including “Ice T”, “Damages”, “Free Mind”, “Love Me JeJe” and “What You Need”, giving fans a set that connected different stages of her career.
The setting was important because Spotify designed Surround Sound around proximity between artists and listeners. The platform says the performances are also captured as full-length music films, meaning the Lagos shows are being created for audiences beyond those who attended in person.
Runtown Marks 10 Years of Mad Over You
The second night brought Runtown Spotify Surround Sound 2026, with the singer performing with his full live band for the first time in 10 years.
His set included “Lagos to Kampala”, “Gallardo”, “For Life”, “International Badman Killa”, “Unleash” and “Kini Issue”. However, “Mad Over You” became the defining moment of the night. Runtown performed the 2016 hit during his set before returning to it a second time to close the show, with fans singing along.
The song’s continued reach also helps explain why it remains central to Runtown’s live performances. Spotify’s September analysis found that “Mad Over You” had appeared in more than three million user-created playlists.
Why Spotify is Making the Experience Exclusive
The Lagos showcase points to a different way streaming platforms can turn listening data into real-world fan experiences.
Instead of selling tickets to a large audience, Spotify used listening behaviour to identify selected Premium subscribers who already had a strong connection with the featured artists. The company said the limited-capacity format allows it to create a closer artist-fan experience while also making the performances suitable for filming.
Both performances were filmed for upcoming releases titled Surround Sound presents Tems and Surround Sound presents Runtown. Spotify has not yet announced their release dates.
