{"id":2226092,"date":"2026-01-07T18:50:43","date_gmt":"2026-01-07T18:50:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2226092"},"modified":"2026-01-07T18:50:43","modified_gmt":"2026-01-07T18:50:43","slug":"inside-apple-music-studio-at-the-heart-of-creative-la","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/inside-apple-music-studio-at-the-heart-of-creative-la\/","title":{"rendered":"Inside Apple Music Studio at the heart of creative LA"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Summer 2025 marked the tenth anniversary of Apple Music, the streaming service launched as a direct rival to Spotify and Amazon Prime Music. Although it has around half the number of paying subscribers as Spotify (c95-100m users), Apple Music is deeply integrated into the company\u2019s devices and operating system. It also has a rich streak of curation and promotion, demonstrated by the 24-hour Apple Music Radio service, with wide-ranging playlists and unique content.<\/p>\n

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The exterior of Apple’s LA Music Studio in Culver City<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption>

(Image credit: Apple)<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n

All of this creativity needed a dedicated home. In 2025, Apple Music cemented its role as a cultural generator with the opening of a dedicated space in Los Angeles<\/a>. Housing two state-of-the-art broadcast studios, a large performance soundstage and facilities for editing, podcasting and more, it has become a major destination for talent.<\/p>\n

Located in an Eric Owen Moss-designed building in LA\u2019s Culver City, the new Los Angeles studio is part of a growing network of Apple Music creative hubs \u2013 there are also facilities in Tokyo<\/a>, Paris<\/a> and Berlin<\/a>, among other places, with plans for London<\/a> and New York<\/a> well advanced.<\/p>\n

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The reception at Apple’s LA Music Studio<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption>

(Image credit: Apple)<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n

In addition to the latest technology, the studio complex also makes space for art and music memorabilia. Glass artist Katherine Gray\u2019s Iridescent Motion and Light<\/em> graces the main lobby, with its high-tech treated surfaces generating a series of sky tones to set the overall palette for the interiors. The lobby connects with the various studios via two gallery-style spaces, the A-List Corridor and Archive Corridor, both of which provide a backdrop of imagery and artwork from Apple Music collaborators and events.<\/p>\n

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Apple Music LA Studio details<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption>

(Image credit: Apple)<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n

With the studio now up and running, we spoke to Rachel Newman, co-head of Apple Music (with Ole Obermann) about the opportunities the new facility provides, as well as John De Maio, global head of workplace design & places at Apple, about the architectural and interior considerations that shaped the studio.<\/p>\n

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Apple Music LA Studio details<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption>

(Image credit: Apple)<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n

So what does the new studio give Apple in terms of reach and access to different recording artists? \u2018Since launching (LA), we have had more than 300 artists through the doors,\u2019 Rachel Newman says, adding that \u2018the space itself is a true creative facility where artists have the opportunity to take over Apple Music Radio, perform a live show, record an interview, mix their music in Spatial or even host a fan event.\u2019<\/p>\n

This ability to editorialise in generous, dynamic surroundings has unsurprisingly found favour with artists. \u2018We\u2019ve opened the doors to artists to use the space in whatever way their hearts desire and it has already proven to be a total game-changer,\u2019 Newman agrees.<\/p>\n

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Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Radio studio, Apple Music LA<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption>

(Image credit: Apple)<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n

As one would expect from an Apple project, technology is at the heart of the experience. The ability to work with Spatial Audio \u2013 for which a \u2018halo\u2019 of 20 speakers is required \u2013 while also concealing the cameras that film interviews, for example, shows how the design prioritises creativity without distractions.<\/p>\n

\u2018Like everything at Apple, the experience is our focus,\u2019 Newman explains. \u2018The technology that goes into making something special is our bread and butter, but not something that ultimately matters from a customer POV. What matters is that it feels magical.\u2019<\/p>\n

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The Green Room at Apple Music’s LA Studio<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption>

(Image credit: Apple)<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n

According to Newman, Apple will continue to expand its ability to create content through such physical spaces. \u2018We are committed to supporting artists, storytelling and providing a space for fans to connect directly, in person, with their favourite artists,\u2019 she says, going on to highlight events that wouldn\u2019t have been possible without this dedicated space, including \u2018the Doja Cat album release party; Rap Life Review Live with a surprise performance by Clipse; a fan-only album release party for Taylor Swift and many other special events\u2019.<\/p>\n

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(Image credit: Apple)<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n

Design lead John De Maio was tasked with giving shape to this realm, balancing the desire for a calm, creative space with the need to integrate technology and make it instantly accessible. \u2018At its best, we believe that technology should amplify human creativity, experience and connection,\u2019 he says. \u2018We always approach the design of our spaces in the same way as we approach the design of our products; we start by asking, \u201cHow do we want people to feel?\u201d It is so important that the spaces we create empower and inspire the people who use them.\u2019<\/p>\n

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(Image credit: Apple)<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n

Across three storeys and 15,000 sq ft, the Los Angeles space runs the gamut from high-tech production areas to dressing rooms, a green room and gallery-like spaces. The presence of the underlying technology is amplified or reduced depending on the nature of each area.<\/p>\n

\u2018For example, in some areas we\u2019ve reduced the footprint of the cameras or speakers \u2013 or removed the standard overhead lighting grid \u2013 to create a more natural experience for artists,\u2019 De Maio explains. \u2018In other spaces, like the Spatial Audio mixing room, direct access to the equipment is critical to the artistic process, to how engineers and artists create, so it is on full display and immediately accessible.\u2019<\/p>\n

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(Image credit: Apple)<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n

LA\u2019s role as a centre of creativity \u2013 in music as in movies \u2013 was also considered. \u2018We are always keeping our eyes firmly set on the future, but we also like to draw inspiration from the past where it\u2019s relevant,\u2019 says De Maio. \u2018LA has such a vibrant music scene and culture of creative spaces\u2026 We wanted to add to that cultural legacy but also evolve it to meet people where they are, telling authentic stories through a series of diverse spaces.\u2019<\/p>\n

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The Archive Corridor at Apple Music’s LA Studio<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption>

(Image credit: Apple)<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n

The third-floor green room is a case in point. Not just a time-honoured space for talent to \u2018unwind\u2019, it\u2019s also a meeting room and a place for content creation. Apple Music\u2019s \u2018Sunset Sessions\u2019 are shot here, with the Santa Monica mountains in the background.<\/p>\n

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