# Last.fm API: List similar artists

> Finds artists similar to a named artist on Last.fm, ordered by similarity. Similarity percentages are null because public pages do not show them.

Unofficial. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Last.fm.

- Page: https://fous.com/methods/last.fm/list-similar-artists
- Method: `last.fm/list_similar_artists`, version 1
- Website: last.fm
- Returns: matched artist, similar artists with listener counts, genre tags, image and Last.fm link
- Effect: read (it gets data and changes nothing)
- Sign-in: none needed
- Cost: 1 credit per completed run (1¢ with pay as you go); failed runs are free
- Verified: Nov 2, 2026

## Inputs

| Field | Type | Required | In the run below | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| `artist` | string | yes | `"Daft Punk"` | Artist or band name, for example Radiohead. |
| `max_results` | integer | no | `4` | Most similar artists to return, for example 20. Default 20. |

## Output

From a run on Oct 31, 2026, shortened. Its input:

```json
{
  "artist": "Daft Punk",
  "max_results": 4
}
```

Its output:

```json
{
  "artists": [
    {
      "genre_tags": [
        "electronic",
        "french",
        "electro"
      ],
      "image_link": "https://lastfm-img.freetls.fastly.net/i/u/300x300/c6b7f7341be1a9e2ae68a76b0b70e66d.jpg",
      "artist_name": "Justice",
      "last_fm_link": "https://www.last.fm/music/Justice",
      "listener_count": 2888080,
      "similarity_percent": null
    },
    {
      "genre_tags": [
        "house",
        "electronic",
        "dance"
      ],
      "image_link": "https://lastfm-img.freetls.fastly.net/i/u/300x300/b1cb5257d113cf2f62031c3dc2c76f98.jpg",
      "artist_name": "Modjo",
      "last_fm_link": "https://www.last.fm/music/Modjo",
      "listener_count": 1726073,
      "similarity_percent": null
    },
    {
      "genre_tags": [
        "house",
        "electronic",
        "dance"
      ],
      "image_link": "https://lastfm-img.freetls.fastly.net/i/u/300x300/983b09e46b5cfee7184bf164a808f5e2.jpg",
      "artist_name": "Stardust",
      "last_fm_link": "https://www.last.fm/music/Stardust",
      "listener_count": 1251635,
      "similarity_percent": null
    }
  ],
  "matched_artist": "Daft Punk"
}
```

## Run it

From code, with a Fous API key in `FOUS_API_KEY`; the answer's `data` holds the output:

```bash
curl https://api.fous.com/v1/runs \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $FOUS_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"method":"last.fm/list_similar_artists","input":{"artist":"Daft Punk","max_results":4}}'
```

From an AI agent connected to the Fous MCP server: its `run` with the same method and input. To connect one, give it `set up https://fous.com/SKILL.md`.

## Ask your agent

- Find me 10 artists that sound like Phoebe Bridgers, with their listener counts and genre tags
- Who are the bands most similar to Tame Impala on Last.fm? Give me the top 25.
- I love Burial — what other artists should I check out? Include links and genres.
- Pull the Last.fm related-artist list for Fleetwood Mac, up to 50 names
- List artists comparable to Khruangbin ordered by how close they are, with images and listener numbers

## Input schema

```json
{
  "type": "object",
  "required": [
    "artist"
  ],
  "properties": {
    "artist": {
      "type": "string",
      "minLength": 1,
      "description": "Artist or band name, for example Radiohead."
    },
    "max_results": {
      "type": "integer",
      "default": 20,
      "maximum": 100,
      "minimum": 1,
      "description": "Most similar artists to return, for example 20."
    }
  }
}
```

## Output schema

```json
{
  "type": "object",
  "required": [
    "matched_artist",
    "artists"
  ],
  "properties": {
    "artists": {
      "type": "array",
      "items": {
        "type": "object",
        "required": [
          "artist_name",
          "similarity_percent",
          "listener_count",
          "genre_tags",
          "image_link",
          "last_fm_link"
        ],
        "properties": {
          "genre_tags": {
            "type": "array",
            "items": {
              "type": "string"
            }
          },
          "image_link": {
            "type": [
              "string",
              "null"
            ]
          },
          "artist_name": {
            "type": "string"
          },
          "last_fm_link": {
            "type": "string"
          },
          "listener_count": {
            "type": [
              "integer",
              "null"
            ]
          },
          "similarity_percent": {
            "type": [
              "number",
              "null"
            ],
            "description": "Similarity from 0 to 100 when shown, otherwise null."
          }
        },
        "additionalProperties": false
      },
      "description": "Artists in the order Last.fm lists them, most similar first."
    },
    "matched_artist": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "Name of the matched Last.fm artist."
    }
  },
  "additionalProperties": false
}
```

## See more

- [Last.fm API: Get artist](https://fous.com/methods/last.fm/get-artist.md): Looks up a Last.fm artist by name and returns listening statistics, profile, top tracks and albums, similar artists, and upcoming events.
- [SoundCloud API: List artist tracks](https://fous.com/methods/soundcloud.com/list-artist-tracks.md): Lists a SoundCloud artist's public tracks in latest or SoundCloud popular order, with profile and track details. SoundCloud's popular list may contain fewer than 100 tracks (currently at most 30).
- [Genius API: List an artist's songs](https://fous.com/methods/genius.com/list-artist-songs.md): Lists an artist's songs on Genius by popularity or newest release date, with featured artists, release dates, page views and song art. The artist can be given by name or by Genius artist link; dates or views may be unavailable.
- [MusicBrainz API: Get artist by name](https://fous.com/methods/musicbrainz.org/get-artist.md): Looks up an artist or band on MusicBrainz by name, optionally narrowed by country, and returns reference details, recorded members, aliases, genres and official links.
- [Songkick API: Get artist tour dates](https://fous.com/methods/songkick.com/get-artist-tour-dates.md): Gets an artist's upcoming concerts and tour dates on Songkick, optionally filtered by country, with ticket links and start times when listed.
- [Apple API: Get artist](https://fous.com/methods/music.apple.com/get-artist.md): Gets an Apple Music artist profile by name or artist link. The profile includes the latest release, top songs and albums.
- [Spotify API: Get artist](https://fous.com/methods/open.spotify.com/get-artist.md): Gets a Spotify artist's public profile from their name, artist link or ID: listeners, followers, world rank, top cities, popular tracks, latest release and release counts.
- [Discogs API: Get artist discography](https://fous.com/methods/discogs.com/get-artist-discography.md): Lists an artist's albums, singles, EPs and compilations on Discogs, grouped by master release and ordered oldest first.
- [All Last.fm methods](https://fous.com/methods/last.fm.md)