The music world is shifting towards a more social listening experience, and the newly launched Hangout platform is set to be at the forefront of this evolution. Backed by industry giants like Sony Music, Universal Music Group, and Warner Music Group, Hangout is poised to redefine how people experience music in shared, virtual spaces. The platform officially launched on Wednesday, offering users access to over 100 million tracks, including content from top-tier artists and labels through licensing partner Merlin.
Hangout’s premise is simple but powerful: it’s a virtual listening community that brings friends and music lovers together to enjoy and share music in real-time. Whether you’re a fan of pop, rock, hip-hop, or any other genre, Hangout allows you to invite friends into your own “hangout”, where everyone takes turns playing songs from their favourite artists, all while interacting in a shared space.
Let’s dive into why Hangout is creating a buzz in the music industry and what sets it apart from other music platforms.
What Is Hangout? A Virtual Space for Music Lovers
Hangout isn’t just another music streaming service; it’s a social listening platform that combines music discovery with social interaction. Here’s how it works:
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Create Your Personal Hangout: Users can sign up and create their own avatar. Once they’ve logged in, they can invite friends to their personal “hangout” where everyone can listen to music together.
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Social Music Sharing: The platform operates like a virtual DJ booth where users can take turns playing songs from over 100 million tracks available on Hangout. The focus here is on community and shared experiences rather than passive listening.
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Available Everywhere: Hangout is available on both iOS and Android devices, allowing users to connect, interact, and enjoy music on the go.
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Music Discovery and Curation: Hangout isn’t just about listening to music—it’s about discovering new artists and creating playlists that reflect your personal tastes. Fans can curate their music libraries and share them with friends in real-time, driving deeper engagement with the music they love.
Hangout is building its business model around subscriptions for ad-free streaming and virtual goods, positioning itself to offer a sustainable and user-friendly experience.
Key Partnerships with Industry Giants
One of the main reasons Hangout is gaining so much attention is its strategic partnerships with major music industry players. These partnerships include:
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Sony Music: Mark Piibe, Executive VP of Global Business Development & Digital Strategy at Sony Music, commented that the company is excited to support fans’ experiences in shared social spaces while fairly valuing the work of artists. Sony Music sees Hangout as an opportunity to build communities around its artists and help users discover new music in innovative ways.
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Universal Music Group (UMG): Kristen Bender, Senior VP of Digital Innovation Strategy at UMG, highlighted the importance of social listening as a way to increase fan engagement. UMG’s support underscores the growing importance of community-driven music consumption, which Hangout is built to facilitate.
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Warner Music Group (WMG): Rachel Scarpati, VP of Business Strategy & Business Development at WMG, emphasized the platform’s ability to drive music discovery and fan engagement in dynamic, creative ways. The partnership reflects Warner Music’s commitment to pioneering new avenues for music lovers to connect over their shared passion for artists and songs.
These partnerships allow Hangout to provide its users with an extensive catalogue of tracks, all while ensuring that artists and rights holders are fairly compensated through licensing agreements.
Hangout’s Vision: Making Social Media “Social” Again
Hangout founder and CEO, Joseph Perla, has a unique perspective on the future of social platforms. Perla, who was previously involved in the creation of Turntable.fm, a beloved social music service in the early 2010s, aims to bring back the social aspect of music that’s been lost in many of today’s social media platforms. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Perla shared his vision for Hangout:
“Social media these days are based on fighting, conflict, and division. So, I’m building a new social platform focused on connection, unity, and harmony.”
Hangout, therefore, isn’t just about consuming content—it’s about connecting with others over shared interests and fostering positive interactions. The platform’s design encourages collaboration over competition and provides a space where people can enjoy music together, share recommendations, and discover new favourites.
Business Model: A Sustainable Future for Hangout
Unlike many other free-to-use platforms that rely heavily on ads, Hangout has opted for a more sustainable business model focused on subscriptions and virtual goods. This model gives users the option to enjoy ad-free music streaming while also giving them access to premium features and virtual spaces where they can engage with their communities.
Hangout’s subscription-based model gives it the flexibility to scale without relying on intrusive advertising. This could set it apart from competitors like Spotify, Apple Music, and others in the streaming world, which depend on ads to fund their operations. Instead, Hangout users are encouraged to engage with the platform through premium experiences, such as purchasing virtual goods and customising their avatars or hangout spaces.
The Future of Hangout: A Platform for Creativity and Collaboration
As Hangout continues to grow, it aims to become a leading platform for both music discovery and fan engagement. With its strong industry backing and innovative social listening features, Hangout is positioned to take on the next phase of digital music consumption.
As Perla mentioned, Hangout is committed to supporting the music industry by helping artists and creators flourish in a social, collaborative environment. The goal is to redefine how fans connect with their favourite artists and how music is shared and enjoyed across the globe.
“Hangout’s focus is on building a platform where music lovers can be themselves and discover new tunes while supporting their favourite artists,” said Perla.
As the platform gains traction, expect to see more features designed to help users interact and engage with music in meaningful ways—whether through creating collaborative playlists, attending live-streamed concerts, or connecting with fellow fans. Hangout has the potential to become a next-gen music platform that champions both music and community.
Conclusion: Why Hangout Is Changing the Music Landscape
Hangout is more than just a music streaming service; it’s a social listening experience that puts community and connection at the forefront. With the support of major labels like Sony Music, Universal Music, and Warner Music, Hangout is on its way to becoming the go-to platform for music lovers who want to discover, share, and enjoy music together in real-time.
By focusing on positive social engagement, fair compensation for artists, and user-centric design, Hangout is redefining the future of digital music and social media. As the platform grows, it’s clear that Hangout is not just about listening to music—it’s about building a community of music lovers who share a common passion for artists and songs.
