Gaming the 2026 Spotify Algorithm: A Survival Guide for South Asian Artists

by Industry Insights

An in-depth look at how the 2026 Spotify algorithm prioritize engagement over streams and what it means for the South Asian music scene.

DESIFEST
2026

June 18 – 20

Sankofa Square, Toronto

Where SouthAsian CultureMeets the World.

Canada's largest South Asian music and arts festival— uniting generations, genres, and voices on one iconic stage.

20th
Anniversary
Explore
Join
Enjoy

The Schedule

2026 Event Days

Launch Night

THE HOMECOMING

20 Years in the Making

June 18

7:00PM – 11:00PM

An intimate evening with the people who built DESIFEST — past artists, founding supporters, and the community that turned a dream into Canada's largest South Asian music festival. Come celebrate 20 years of culture, music, and family before the main stage lights up.

COMING SOON • COMING SOON
01
DESIFEST 2026

Friday

BOLLYWOOD REMIX

June 19

5:00PM – 11:00PM

Bollywood like you've never heard it. DJs, live bands, and genre-bending artists flipping the classics and fusing South Asian sound with hip-hop, afrobeats, electronic, and everything in between. Free at Sankofa Square.

View Full Lineup
VIEW LINEUP • VIEW LINEUP
02
DESIFEST 2026

Saturday

BOLLYWOOD UNPLUGGED

June 20

11:00AM – 11:00PM

12 hours of live music, dance, food, and family. The 20th anniversary flagship — showcasing Canadian and international artists performing Bollywood favourites, Punjabi anthems, classical fusion, and original hits on the biggest South Asian stage in the country. Free at Sankofa Square.

View Full Lineup
VIEW LINEUP • VIEW LINEUP
03
DESIFEST 2026
Community
Year Round Program

Year Round Program

Open Mic

Open Mic

Sofa Sessions

Sofa Sessions

presenting sponsor

TD Bank — Presenting Sponsor

Broadcast Partner

CBC — Broadcast Partner

Government Support

Ontario Creates - Ontario Créatif
FACTOR
Government of Canada
Canada Council for the Arts
Ontario Arts Council
City of Toronto

Partners & Sponsors

Comes With Music
Ontario Arts Council
OMNI Television
Trojan
Toronto Symphony Orchestra
House of BalaSchoolio
Cirque du Soleil
Mary Brown's Chicken

Food Vendors

Ganne Wala Organic Juice
Himalayan Mo:Mo
PalettAmérica Gelato
Indian Rasoi
Momo 2 Go
Saajuk
The Momo Station
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Toronto’s iconic Sankofa Square · Canada’s #1 South Asian music festival ·Toronto’s iconic Sankofa Square · Canada’s #1 South Asian music festival ·Toronto’s iconic Sankofa Square · Canada’s #1 South Asian music festival ·Toronto’s iconic Sankofa Square · Canada’s #1 South Asian music festival ·Toronto’s iconic Sankofa Square · Canada’s #1 South Asian music festival ·Toronto’s iconic Sankofa Square · Canada’s #1 South Asian music festival ·Toronto’s iconic Sankofa Square · Canada’s #1 South Asian music festival ·Toronto’s iconic Sankofa Square · Canada’s #1 South Asian music festival ·Toronto’s iconic Sankofa Square · Canada’s #1 South Asian music festival ·Toronto’s iconic Sankofa Square · Canada’s #1 South Asian music festival ·Toronto’s iconic Sankofa Square · Canada’s #1 South Asian music festival ·Toronto’s iconic Sankofa Square · Canada’s #1 South Asian music festival ·Toronto’s iconic Sankofa Square · Canada’s #1 South Asian music festival ·Toronto’s iconic Sankofa Square · Canada’s #1 South Asian music festival ·Toronto’s iconic Sankofa Square · Canada’s #1 South Asian music festival ·Toronto’s iconic Sankofa Square · Canada’s #1 South Asian music festival ·Toronto’s iconic Sankofa Square · Canada’s #1 South Asian music festival ·Toronto’s iconic Sankofa Square · Canada’s #1 South Asian music festival ·Toronto’s iconic Sankofa Square · Canada’s #1 South Asian music festival ·Toronto’s iconic Sankofa Square · Canada’s #1 South Asian music festival ·Toronto’s iconic Sankofa Square · Canada’s #1 South Asian music festival ·Toronto’s iconic Sankofa Square · Canada’s #1 South Asian music festival ·Toronto’s iconic Sankofa Square · Canada’s #1 South Asian music festival ·Toronto’s iconic Sankofa Square · Canada’s #1 South Asian music festival ·Toronto’s iconic Sankofa Square · Canada’s #1 South Asian music festival ·Toronto’s iconic Sankofa Square · Canada’s #1 South Asian music festival ·Toronto’s iconic Sankofa Square · Canada’s #1 South Asian music festival ·Toronto’s iconic Sankofa Square · Canada’s #1 South Asian music festival ·Toronto’s iconic Sankofa Square · Canada’s #1 South Asian music festival ·Toronto’s iconic Sankofa Square · Canada’s #1 South Asian music festival ·Toronto’s iconic Sankofa Square · Canada’s #1 South Asian music festival ·Toronto’s iconic Sankofa Square · Canada’s #1 South Asian music festival ·Toronto’s iconic Sankofa Square · Canada’s #1 South Asian music festival ·Toronto’s iconic Sankofa Square · Canada’s #1 South Asian music festival ·Toronto’s iconic Sankofa Square · Canada’s #1 South Asian music festival ·Toronto’s iconic Sankofa Square · Canada’s #1 South Asian music festival ·
BLOGS & MEDIA
DESIFEST 2025 "We are Canadian" return...

DESIFEST 2025 "We are Canadian" return...

May 15, 2025

DESIFEST 2025 Doubles Down on Canadian South Asian Talent with Bold "We Are Canadian" Return to Sankofa Square...

Read More
Open Mic Unplugged Brings Back...

Open Mic Unplugged Brings Back...

May 17, 2025

Open Mic Unplugged Brings South Asian Music Back to the Heart of Gerrard Street May 31...

Read More

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