Iceland Music Presents a stellar lineup at ESNS 2024

With a population of under 390,000, Iceland stands as a beacon of modernity seamlessly intertwined with a profound connection to its rich history and folklore. Renowned for its otherworldly scenery, including glaciers, hot springs and volcanic landscapes, Iceland beckons nature enthusiasts to its haven. The capital, Reykjavik, is a vibrant hub of dynamic arts and eclectic architecture, reflecting the nation's unique spirit.

At the forefront of Iceland's diverse cultural tapestry is Iceland Music, the pivotal music export office dedicated to nurturing the growth and development of the Icelandic music sector. Acting as a bridge between musicians and essential services such as festivals, PR, labels, and global promotion, Iceland Music plays a vital role in expanding the global reach of Icelandic artists.

A testimony of Iceland's commitment to the global music community is the Record in Iceland reimbursement programme, offered by the Ministry of Culture and Business Affairs. This initiative provides a 25% refund on all recording costs incurred in Iceland, cementing the country's reputation as a distinct and enticing music recording destination. Launched in 2019, Record in Iceland has since attracted a plethora of musicians, including major names such as Portugal the Man, The Decemberists, Damon Albarn, and Ben Frost.

To showcase the unparalleled enchantment of Icelandic music, Iceland Music proudly presents a stellar lineup at Eurosonic 2024 featuring the brilliant artists Arny Margret, gugusar, Vévaki, and Lón. Each artist brings forth a distinctive style, contributing to the cultural diversity and artistic expression that define Iceland's music scene. Witness the magic unfold as these exceptional talents take the stage, providing a captivating glimpse into the diverse musical landscape of Iceland.

As a special highlight, delegates are cordially invited to the official cocktail hour reception hosted by FMX, Iceland Music, and Record in Iceland.

6pm – 8pm | Wednesday, 17th January
Cilinder Bar, Oosterstraat 13a, 9711 NN Groningen
https://cilinder.bar/
RSVP here

This special event offers a unique opportunity to connect with Icelandic artists and industry professionals. Delegates can also explore the unique opportunities provided through the Record in Iceland initiative, fostering creative collaborations and forging lasting connections.

MORE ABOUT ICELANDIC ARTISTS AT ESNS24

VÉVAKI
Emerging as a solo venture by vocalist Will Hunter, VÉVAKI has evolved into a Nordic heathen-inspired folk band. The debut album, 'Edda' (2020), intricately breathes new life into Old Norse poetry, marking a hypnotically heady musical journey. Expanding into a full ensemble with Sigurboði Grétarsson, Florian Baudrain, Gísli Gunnarsson, and Hrafnhildur Inga Guðjónsdóttir, their second release, 'Fórnspeki,' maintains folk roots while exploring broader and more mature sounds. Grounded in modern heathen tradition, VÉVAKI's music doubles as a spiritual practice, utilizing varied instruments and vocal styles. 'Fórnspeki' extends beyond a traditional album, embracing structured rituals and spiritual practices. With an animistic approach, the band forges a profound connection with listeners, delivering contemporary sounds interwoven with ancient themes. VÉVAKI's flexible instrumentation and commitment to modern beliefs set them apart, offering songs that resonate deeply with contemporary spirituality.

Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Spotify
Thu 18 JAN - Der AA-Theater - 19:30-20:10

LÓN
In the heart of Iceland's lockdown, three long-time friends - Valdimar Guðmundsson (frontman of Valdimar), Ásgeir Aðalsteinsson, and Ómar Guðjónsson — came together to create music. Their unplanned collaboration, fuelled by the desire for a creative sanctuary, flourished in a cabin by Iceland's largest lake and new Americana project LÓN was born.

Their first single, "My Father," delved into middle-aged introspection, a theme further explored in the heartfelt debut album, 'Thankfully Distracted’. Within LÓN, seasoned musicians blend jazz riffs, folky charm, and Valdimar's unmistakable vocals, forming an effortlessly cohesive sound. The all-star trio, each with extensive musical pedigrees, genuinely bonded in this creative endeavour, crafting narratives that resonate with parenthood and life's inevitable distractions.

Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Spotify
Thu 18 JAN - Lutherse Kerk - 21:30-22:10

Gugusar
At the age of 15, Gugusar released her debut album, showcasing her experimental and genre-defying music that effortlessly transitions from soft melodies to resonant drum & bass beats. With two LPs under her belt, she’s already earned nominations for Singer of the Year and Album of the Year (twice!) from the Icelandic Music Awards.

Gugusar's journey into performance started early as a figure skater, igniting her love for being on stage in front of crowds. This passion seamlessly evolved into a love for live music, infusing her performances with captivating on-stage choreography. Her shows, enriched by dance routines, reveal a multifaceted artist who continually surprises and captivates audiences.

Having graced stages in the UK, Switzerland, and the Faroe Islands, Gugusar is currently working her debut LP, with the first single set for release in January 2024. And as if that weren't impressive enough, she recently contributed to the musical production of a play at the National Theatre of Iceland.

Instagram Spotify
Friday to Saturday night 20 JAN - Mutua Fides - 00:50-01:30

Arny Margret
Hailing from the picturesque town of Ísafjörður, Icelandic indie folk sensation Arny Margret embarked on her musical odyssey at the tender age of 6, mastering the piano and later teaching herself the guitar. Her enchanting debut album, 'They Only Talk About The Weather,' released in October 2022, swiftly propelled her into the global music spotlight. Drawing inspiration from Andy Shauf, Phoebe Bridgers, Bon Iver, and Gregory Alan Isakov, Arny crafts music that resonates with emotional depth and sonic richness.

In September 2022, Arny unveiled her luscious EP, 'dinner alone,' via One Little Independent Records, showcasing her versatile style that seamlessly blends folk, indie, and introspection. Rich, intimate instrumentation delves into themes of self-reflection and existentialism.

The young musician has already built up an impressive touring history, sharing stages with artists, such as Leif Vollebekk, Passenger, Blake Mills, and Ásgeir, and performing at major events, including SXSW, The Great Escape, Newport Folk Festival, Reykjavik Calling, and Iceland Airwaves. Her recent European tour, spanning Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and France, solidifies her position as a recognized international musical presence.

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Thu 18 JAN - Stadsschouwburg - 21:00-21:40

Contact
Nikki McNeill | Global Publicity
nikki@globalpublicity.co.uk

 


Why Portugal brings forth an outstanding lineup of new talent set to be discovered at ESNS24

Building on its annual participation since being the focus country at ESNS in 2017, Why Portugal brings forth an outstanding lineup of new talent set to be discovered and celebrated at ESNS24.

Among this diverse roster are the young Eurovision sensation MARO, a Lisbon-based band Grand Sun bolstering youthful Portuguese rock’n’roll identity, the cosmopolitan trio Expresso Transatlantico weaving a rich tapestry of Portuguese musical diaspora, MMEA nominee and electronic musical innovator Ana Lua Caiano, and the supergroup Bateu Matou, renowned for their imaginative and unconventional performances. Together, these artists exemplify the depth and breadth of Portugal’s musical offerings at Europe’s largest new music showcase.

Since its inception in 2016, WHY Portugal, serving as the export office of the Portuguese music industry, has consistently played a pivotal role in global music promotion. Noteworthy campaigns include the Waves Vienna 2018 Portugal Focus, showcases at Reeperbahn Festival in Germany, Mercat de Música Viva de Vic (MMVV) in Spain, BIME in Columbia, FOCUS Wales in the UK and active participation in various other international events.

Join us at ESNS24 to witness the continued musical journey of Portugal, as Why Portugal proudly presents the nation's vibrant and diverse musical landscape.

Expresso Transatlantico
Expresso Transatlantico, a Lisbon trio featuring Sebastião Varela, Rafael Matos, and Gaspar Varela, is a musical journey that beautifully intertwines Portuguese, African, and Brazilian influences. The Varela brothers, descendants of fado icon Celeste Rodrigues, infuse their music with a rich heritage, complemented by Rafael Matos's percussive dynamism. Since the debut single release "Primeira Rodada" (2021), their multicultural sound has resonated beyond the vibrant streets of Lisbon. Conquering local audiences with their debut EP, the trio ventured onto the international stage, leaving a mark from WOMEX 22 to Colours of Ostrava. Expresso Transatlantico's music captures the essence of Lisbon's cosmopolitan life, with the Portuguese guitar as its main character, uniting diverse traditions in a unique blend that transcends borders.

Instagram   Spotify   YouTube
Fri ,19th Jan, 21:30-22:10 - MAAS (Main)

Ana Lua Caiano
ANA LUA CAIANO masterfully merges tradition and innovation, fusing Portuguese heritage with electronic elements in her musical compositions. With eight years of classical music training and a recently completed Jazz music course at Escola De Jazz Luiz Villas-Boas (Hot Club), Ana Lua is a versatile talent. Seamlessly blending sounds of the past with synthesizers, beat machines, and field recordings, Ana Lua's music transcends traditional Portuguese melodies into the contemporary landscape. On tour with her debut album, she has played prestigious showcase festivals including WOMEX, BIME Bilbao, MIL Lisbon, FIRA B!, MUM, Live Europe, and Les Trans Musicales. Nominated for a Music Moves Europe Award, she is set to enthrall audiences at Eurosonic 24, solidifying her position as a rising star in the Portuguese music scene.

Facebook | Instagram | Spotify | YouTube
Thurs, 18th Jan, 22:10-22:50 - Mutua Fides

Grand Sun
Grand Sun, a Lisbon-based band, emerged as a delightful collision of intention and catharsis, crafting urgent and electric shows infused with themes of existentialism and whimsy. Three years since their acclaimed record "Sal y Amore," their highly anticipated 2024 release explores new sonic realms. Influenced by iconic British acts like Echo & the Bunnymen, Cocteau Twins, and modern trailblazers THUS LOVE and Shame, the band rides a post-punk wave. Their latest singles, "Something More" and "Conceptualize," unveil a mature yet perennially youthful, punk-infused identity. Bringing gothic and dreamy elements into their rock'n'roll persona, Grand Sun showcases newfound maturity while maintaining an unwavering quest for that elusive "something more."

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Thurs, 18th Jan, 19:30-20:10 - All Round

Bateu Matou
Bateu Matou, the ground-breaking supergroup comprising Ivo Costa, Quim Albergaria, and Riot, skilfully fuses drums and computers, transcending contemporary and roots influences. Their 2021 debut album, "CHEGOU," achieved triumph with chart-toppers like "Cara Feia" and "Falam bué," setting the stage for a highly anticipated 2024 album. Notable achievements include performances at major festivals, an innovative "IBIS Silent Concert" for the hearing-impaired, and a captivating Eurovision-qualifier TV appearance. At PREMIOS PLAY 2023, they collaborated with a gospel choir and a sign language group, leaving an indelible mark on the audience. Corporate engagements with VODAFONE Portugal ("United") and BETCLIC ("FALAM BUÉ" campaign) underscore their versatile impact beyond music. Last year, the band created the official anthem "NÃO PÁRA" for Liga Portugal, resonating across stadiums in the first league throughout the season. Their recent single, "CARA FEIA," involved an AI-filmed video and premiered on national television during the prime time show "Dancing with the Stars." As anticipation builds for their January 2024 release, "Batedeira," Batue Matou continues its trailblazing success.

Facebook Instagram Spotify YouTube
Weds -Thurs night 18th Jan, 00:50-01:30- Grand Theatre (Main)

MARO
Mariana Secca, aka MARO, is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and producer from Lisbon. A graduate of Berklee College of Music in Boston, she embarked on her musical journey in 2018 and has since crafted a diverse discography, including five albums and an EP. In 2022 MARO represented Portugal at Eurovision with her captivating entry 'saudade, saudade.' Her music, showcased in the 2022 album 'can you see me?,' draws inspiration from pop, trap, world, and folk genres, reflecting her versatile musical palette. In her latest record, 'hortelã,' MARO explores a more acoustic direction, adding another layer to her evolving and dynamic artistic expression. Her ability to seamlessly blend various musical influences contributes to the unique and compelling soundscape that defines MARO's distinctive style.

Instagram Facebook X YouTube
Fri, 19th Jan, 19:30-20:10 - Grand Theater (Main)

Contact
For media inquiries, please contact;
anastasia@globalpublicity.co.uk
nikki@globalpublicity.co.uk

 


Live Acts For The European Festival Awards 2023 Unveiled

The European Festival Awards 2023 are rapidly approaching. In less than a month, the European festival scene will be gathering at de Oosterpoort in Groningen to celebrate and recognize the festival season 2023. All winners in all 13 categories are to be unveiled on January 17th, 2024. The award show will be hosted by Claire O’Neill from A Greener Festival and Gordon Masson from IQ Magazine.

During the award show, we’ll welcome up and coming artists on stage. The first one is Polish pop sensation Berry Galazka, who merges distorted guitars with hard-hitting hip hop durms. She will also be playing ESNS on Thursday at Grand Theatre. Secondly, the limerick folk trio Kingfishr from Ireland will perform live on stage. Their music and lyrics paint beautiful and atmospheric images and continue the rich Irish music history. They’ll also be playing at ESNS on Wednesday at Stadsschouwburg. Finally, British Indie band Picture Parlour will present their eagerly anticipated fusion of stadium rock and melancholic euphoria. Cartwheeling riffs, blues rock bass lines and roaring vocals also nod to classic glam rock. They’ll be playing at ESNS on Wednesday at Huize Maas as well.

2023 Lifetime Achievement Award
The European Festival Awards is proud to announce that this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award will go to Ruud Berends. He is the co-founder and Head of Agenda of IFF in London (GB) and advisor for Westway Lab in Guimaraes (PT), Canadian Music Week in Toronto (CA), and SoAlive Music Conference in Sofia (BG). From 2002 till 2018 Ruud was project manager of the various Dutch Music Export organisations and executive producer of the Dutch Impact Parties for Buma Cultuur. From 2002 to March 2023, he worked for Buma Cultuur & ESNS as Head of Conference, ETEP & CEETEP, international marketing and sales. In this position Ruud Berends was crucial for the networking and interconnection of European artists and promoters alike – especially the European Talent Exchange Programme (ETEP) at Eurosonic was his brainchild.

“Life is full of surprises. I did not know that I was up for an award. I am deeply honoured, humbled and grateful to have won the Lifetime Achievement Award. Especially, as it is at the European Festival Awards, an event close to my heart. It means a lot to get this award from this part of the music industry with many friends and music industry family in the room.” says Ruud Berends.

Congratulations to Ruud Berends and thank you for dedicating your professional life and beyond to connecting artists and the music industry in general!

Tickets for the Award Ceremony, set to take place on January 17th 2024 at de Oosterpoort in Groningen, The Netherlands are already going fast. There are two different ticket options:

PLATINUM TICKETS (€100):
6.00pm - 6.45pm: Welcome Drink & Seating in the Grote Zaal
7.00pm - 8.45pm: Three-course sit down dinner with drinks
9.00pm - 10.45pm: European Festival Awards Ceremony
11.30pm - 2.00am: After show party, Location: TBA

TRIBUNE TICKETS (€25):
A tribune seat at the Award Ceremony (Dinner and drinks excluded)
9.00pm - 10.45pm: European Festival Awards Ceremony
Buy Tickets

Contact
Nikki McNeill | Global Publicity
nikki@globalpublicity.co.uk


Second Wave of Speakers for 2024 ESNS Music Conference Announced

The newly announced programme highlights focus on the live music industry of the business behind European festivals and venues. Featured speakers confirmed include Henrik Bondo Nielsen (Roskilde Festival), Gemma Bradley (BBC Radio), Eelko van Kooten (Collabhouse, formerly Spinnin’ Records), Greg Parmley (ILMC/IQ Magazine), Selah Sue (artist), and Tom Windish (Wasserman Music). Festival tickets and conference registrations are available now.

ESNS (Eurosonic Noorderslag), the key exchange for emerging European music, announces new speakers and panels for its annual music conference. ESNS24 will take place from January 17 - 20, 2024, in Groningen, the Netherlands.

The Art of Curation
A panel moderated by Boyan Pinter (Believe, Spike Bulgarian Music Showcase, Green Futures Field Glastonbury) discusses music curation’s transformation from monopoly to accountability. Rapid technological innovation allows the general audience to influence algorithms and, by extension, playlists and people’s listening habits. 

Panellists with leading expertise in live, streaming, and music media industries explore what this says about our society and its ongoing development sonically and socially: Veteran booking agent Tom Windish has developed the touring careers of some of the hottest names in music, including Lorde, Billie Eilish, The xx, M83, Viagra Boys, and more. MOJO Concerts Director Kim Bloem represents Mojo festivals like Pinkpop, Down the Rabbit Hole, Lowlands and North Sea Jazz. Bryan Johnson is Head of Artist & Industry Partnerships at Spotify. Gemma Bradley is a BBC Radio host, and an independent artist herself.

The Art of Curation

Venues, Festivals, and the Live Music Industry
With the live music business reporting record revenues for shows, at the top end at least, things are looking good. But 2024 will not be without its challenges. Greg Parmley (ILMC/IQ Magazine) will moderate a panel of representatives from various talent agencies including Beckie Sugden (CAA) and Carlos Abreu (United Talent), discussing the challenges the live industry faces in 2024. Both boutique and major festivals share their challenges for 2024, such as limited resources, weather extremes and large-scale events such as the Paris 2024 Olympics, in a panel discussion moderated by Gordon Masson (IQ Magazine).

Common Ground: Boutique & Major Festivals
Touring in '24: Are There Bumps in the Road?

Commissioned by YOUROPE and its Event Safety Group, several panels discuss the quality of festivals internationally. Representatives from festivals such as Pinkpop and Way Out West share with Lisa Henderson (IQ Magazine) how they keep their festivals relevant in the lives of millions of young people, and in popular culture in general. Henrik Bondo Nielsen (Roskilde Festival) and Pascal Viot (Paléo Festival) will host a panel discussion on the topic of Event Safety Management, focussing on the impact and opportunities of social media platforms for crowd communication. 

Crowd Communication To Improve Event Safety Management
How To Keep Your Festival Relevant

Diversity and inclusive approaches have become priority topics for festivals and grant providers such as the European Commission. In a panel discussion moderated by Katharina Webe (BN*PD YOUROPE), Mika Christoffersen (Roskilde Festival), Artur Mendes (Boom Festival), and Marta Pallarès (Primavera Sound) present many magnificent examples and showcase projects in a Diversity & Inclusion toolbox. A joint force of 13 leading organisations in the European sustainable events sector developed a strategy to help festivals accelerate their sustainable transformation. Holger Jan Schmidt (YOUROPE) and Judith Videcoq (European Commission/Head Of Creative Europe) join a panel to discuss how they can achieve sustainability with the entire events and festival sector.

Accelerate the Sustainable Transformation of the European Events Sector
Diversity & Inclusion Toolset, a Sneak Preview

Additional Newly Announced Programme highlights
EMERGE is a ground-breaking AI-powered chat interface for sync professionals, linking European music with sync prospects such as film producers, advertising agencies, the gaming industry, and sync agents. EMERGE will launch as a project at ESNS24 and is developed by ESNS, Soundcharts, which will be presented by Soundcharts CEO, David Weiszfeld, in close collaboration with ICMP, EBU, Impala, IMPFEurope in Synch, and it will be EU-funded by Creative Innovation Lab.

Bringing Innovation and European Integration to the Sync Market

Representatives from Deezer and Universal Music Group will also discuss the ongoing negotiations between the French streaming platform and the record labels, with new revenue distribution models to remunerate artists at stake.

Moneymon: The Streaming Economy Evolution

Featured Speakers at ESNS24
Other featured speakers announced include Lodevico Benvenutti (IFPI), András Berta (Backstage Ticketing), Froukje Bouma (MOTEL Artist Management), Conchitta Bottse (Stichting Spraakuhloos ), Yvan Boudillet (Utopia Music), Márk Bóna (Sziget Festival), Elk Dijkhuizen (Heineken Nederland), Iara Dias (Meexdy), Belle Doron (CUT_), Sherlo Asajas (BumaStemra), Tessaly Felida (MOJO Concerts), Grace Goodwin (University of Liverpool), Jos Feijen (De Effenaar), Jennifer Feaster (Age Media), Dieuwertje Heuvelings (Dutch Music Export), Eva Karman Rheinold (SOM), Hanna Kahlert (MiDIA Research), Eelko van Kooten (Collabhouse), Anne Löhr (MITC), Laurent Marceau (EBU), Emeline Marabelle (Bellemeute), Claire O’Neill (A Greener Future), Jess Partridge (EMMA), Turo Pekari (Music Finland), Helen Sildna (Tallinn Music Week), Selah Sue (artist), Rutger Tuit (Google), Kees van Weijen (STOMP/IMPALA), Ama Walton (Soundcloud), Linda Vermaat (Innofest), and Rita Zipora (BAM! Popauteurs).

Earlier, ESNS announced Amy Thomson (formerly Hipgnosis, ATM Artists), John Mulder (MOJO Concerts / Live Nation) and Mark Mulligan (MIDiA Research) are the first keynote speakers for ESNS24. Other featured speakers confirmed include Justin Lockey (Editors, Mastersystem, Minor Victories), Ibán García Del Blanco (European Parliament), Helienne Lindvall (ECSA), and George Musgrave (Goldsmiths, University of London).

Discover the full conference program here and stay tuned for more conference program highlights to be announced in the coming weeks including the ETEP / ESNS Exchange 20-year celebration, European Music Prize MME Awards 20-year celebration, and a globalisation project that brings delegates from Canada, India and Mexico to meet European music professionals.

Attend ESNS24 as a Delegate
Join ESNS at the Conference in January and meet with tastemakers from the European music industry, including representatives from companies like Spotify, Universal Music, Google/YouTube, Live Nation, UTA, See Tickets, MIDiA Research, Pollstar, IQ, and over a hundred European festivals and live music venues. 

Registrations for the ESNS conference are available at ESNS.nl
Register now

ESNS Conference Registrations include:

-Access to the conference and festival with fast-lane access.
-Access to networking lounges and hospitality options.
-Access to the ESNS Delegates Database to network with other delegates in advance.
-Access to ESNS Analytics, where you can find up-to-date data on artists who performed at previous editions.

Tickets for the festival are available at ESNS.nl. Buy tickets here: esns.nl/en/tickets

ESNS24 will take place from January 17 - 20, 2024, in Groningen, the Netherlands.

About ESNS
ESNS (Eurosonic Noorderslag) is a non-profit organisation and independent platform dedicated to promoting and discovering new European and Dutch music.

Founded in 1986, ESNS annually hosts a four-day showcase festival and music conference in Groningen, the Netherlands. Uncover the most enthralling emerging European (Eurosonic) and Dutch (Noorderslag) acts ranging from mainstream pop to progressive finds during the festival, which sets the stage for leading European festivals. Expand your knowledge of industry-leading topics and innovation during the conference, geared at trailblazing the music industry towards a sustainable future.

ESNS has proven essential in breaking new European acts into live music scenes throughout Europe and beyond. Launched in 1986, the showcase festival has an impressive history and proven track record of kickstarting the international careers of artists like Altin Gün, Alina Pash, Arlo Parks, Baby Volcano, Deki Alem, Dua Lipa, Fontaines D.C., girl in red, Hania Rani, The Haunted Youth, July Jones, Meduza, Priya Ragu, Pongo, Queralt Lahoz, Sigrid, Tramhaus, Trupa Trupa, and Wet Leg.

Press accreditation
Press is required to request press accreditation to attend the festival. Find all the information on acquiring accreditation to both the festival and the conference on the online press centre of ESNS.

Contact
Nikki McNeill | Global Publicity
nikki@globalpublicity.co.uk


ESNS Exchange Presents Final 2023 Results

ESNS Exchange, the renowned European music programme, is proud to announce its successful celebration of the 20th anniversary of the programme (formerly known as ETEP) this year. The programme was established as ETEP in 2003 to overcome the significant challenges faced by the European pop music industry in international promotion and distribution. Now known as ESNS Exchange, the programme has created a strong network among stakeholders, facilitating, supporting, inspiring, and promoting the global circulation of creative European musical talent. 

This year, the programme has continued to achieve its objectives with 347 shows by 148 acts from 36 countries at 90 festivals in 15 countries. ESNS Exchange's efforts, together with the amazing support of partners, export offices, Yourope and the EBU, have helped 2160 European artists from 36 countries perform at 5330 shows at 190 partner festivals in 44 countries over the past 20 years, making a positive impact on the European music industry. ESNS Exchange is looking forward to the future and in creating more opportunities for European acts across Europe as well as on the global level.

2023 results
The ESNS Exchange results of 2023 show popularity amongst a very diverse group of artists as Belgium, Ireland, Austria, Sweden, The Netherlands, Ukraine, Norway, and Iceland are all represented within the top 10 most booked artists. The Haunted Youth from Belgium is the most booked artist with 13 bookings in total.

The top five most booked artists are;

The Haunted Youth (BE) 13
The Mary Wallopers (IE) 10
UCHE YARA (AT) 10
Deki Alem (SE) 9
Avalanche Kaito (BE) 8

The most booked acts per country are;

The Haunted Youth (BE) 13
The Mary Wallopers (IE) 10
UCHE YARA (AT) 10
Deki Alem (SE) 9
Tramhaus (NL) 8
Love’n’Joy (UA) 6
SKAAR (NO) 6

Go to ESNS Radar to see the full ESNS Exchange 2023 Artist results.

The 20 year anniversary of ESNS Exchange will be celebrated at ESNS24. Celebrate 20 years of the programme with us at ESNS 2024 on Friday, Jan 19th during the Conference. Get your tickets for the ESNS24 conference via esns.nl/tickets

About ESNS Exchange
ESNS Exchange, the European talent exchange programme, formerly known as ETEP was introduced in 2003 to make the ‘exchange’ of European artists across Europe possible on a greater scale than ever before. An initiative of ESNS, supported by the partner festivals, export offices, Yourope and the EBU, ESNS Exchange facilitates the bookings of European acts on festivals outside their home countries and generates extensive media exposure for these artists in cooperation with the EBU, export offices and local media. This way, ESNS Exchange aims to give a boost to the international careers of European artists.

About ESNS
ESNS is a non-profit showcase festival for European artists, and a conference with panels, keynotes, interviews, and gatherings on the latest developments in the international and European music industry. ESNS’ mission is to stimulate and further promote the circulation of European music, and to give European artists a stepping stone onto international success.

Registrations for ESNS24 are available via https://esns.nl/tickets/

Discover next year’s breakthrough artists at ESNS24. Get your tickets now at esns.nl/tickets. You heard it first at ESNS!

Contact:
Nikki McNeill | Global Publicity
nikki@globalpublicity.co.uk


Interview with Global Publicity founder and CEO Nikki McNeill with shesaid.so

Check out the interview with Global Publicity founder and CEO Nikki McNeill with shesaid.so this month.

 

 

Read full interview here... https://www.shesaid.so/blog/tag/Nikki+McNeil

Watch the video clips here... https://www.instagram.com/p/C0whUMWN2Vx/

 


European Festival Awards Announce Shortlists and Lifetime Achievement Award

THE EUROPEAN FESTIVAL AWARDS PRESENTS THE 2023 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD - RUUD BERENDS
SHORTLISTED NOMINEES FOR THE EUROPEAN FESTIVAL AWARDS 2023 UNVEILED

With the 13th edition of the European Festival Awards set to take place on January 17th in Groningen, The Netherlands the European Festival Awards is proud to announce that this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award will go to Ruud Berends. He is the co-founder and Head of Agenda of IFF in London (GB) and advisor for Westway Lab in Guimaraes (PT), Canadian Music Week in Toronto (CA), and SoAlive Music Conference in Sofia (BG). From 2002 till 2018 Ruud was project manager of the various Dutch Music Export organisations and executive producer of the Dutch Impact Parties for Buma Cultuur. From 2002 to March 2023, he worked for Buma Cultuur & ESNS as Head of Conference, ETEP & CEETEP, international marketing and sales. In this position, Ruud Berends was crucial for the networking and interconnection of European artists and promoters alike – especially the European Talent Exchange Programme (ETEP) at Eurosonic was his brainchild.

In a previous life, Ruud also was co-founder, dj, cook, promoter and toilet cleaner of youth Centre Débarak in Zutphen and co-founder and co-owner of International Booking Agency Paperclip who broke the new and alternative scene into the eye of the mainstream throughout the 80's and early 90's. The agency took loads of bands on tour all over Europe, too many to mention - but Soundgarden, Nirvana and Mudhoney and their contemporaries were all part of the hustle.

“Life is full of surprises. I did not know that I was up for an award. I am deeply honoured, humbled and grateful to have won the Lifetime Achievement Award. Especially, as it is at the European Festival Awards, an event close to my heart. It means a lot to get this award from this part of the music industry with many friends and music industry family in the room.” says Ruud Berends.

Congratulations to Ruud Berends and thank you for dedicating your professional life and beyond to connecting artists and the music industry in general!

Furthermore, we’re announcing the shortlists for 12 of the ceremony’s categories. Over 50’000 votes have been cast for the 2023 European Festival Awards in the main public categories. We’d like to extend a huge thank you to all of those who applied, voted and otherwise participated in the Awards this year.

European Festival Awards, c/o YOUROPE, Auguststr. 18, 53229 Bonn, Germany www.europeanfestivalawards.org, info@europeanfestivalawards.org

Tickets for the Award Ceremony, set to take place on January 17th 2024 at de Oosterpoort in Groningen, The Netherlands are already going fast. There are two different ticket options:

PLATINUM TICKETS (€100):
6.00pm - 6.45pm: Welcome Drink & Seating in the Grote Zaal
7.00pm - 8.45pm: Three-course sit down dinner with drinks
9.00pm - 10.45pm: European Festival Awards Ceremony
11.30pm - 2.00am: After show party, Location: TBA

TRIBUNE TICKETS (€25):
A tribune seat at the Award Ceremony (Dinner and drinks excluded) 9.00pm - 10.45pm: European Festival Awards CeremonyBuy Tickets

Now, without further ado, here are the shortlists:

The Brand Activation AwardHeroes & Hype Festivals & Unilever Axe, DE
Montreux Jazz Festival & Audemars Piguet, CH
Rock for People & Komerční Banka, CZ
Ruisrock Festival & UFF, FI
Superbloom Festival & FC Bayern München x adidas, DE
Untold & Regina Maria, RO

The Take a Stand Award
Presented by: Take a Stand

Provinssi, FI
Pohoda Festival, SK
Roskilde Festival, DK
Sonraìz, ES
Sziget Festival, HU

The Green Operations Award
Presented by: GO Group

Boom Festival, PT
Department Festival, SE
Roskilde Festival, DK
The Green Gathering, GB
We love Green, FR

The Event Safety Award
Presented by: YES Group

Happiness Festival, DE
OpenAir St.Gallen, CH
Pohoda Festival, SK
Pol’and’Rock Festival, PL
Rocco del Schlacko Festival, DE

Promoter of the Year

Alias, FR
Alter Art, PL
Artmania, RO
FKP Scorpio, DE
Gadget abc Entertainment, CH Mad Cool, ES
Oya Festivalen, NO
Primavera Sound, ES
Roskilde Festival, DK
Sziget Cultural Management, HU

Agent of the Year

Anne Bewers – Wasserman Music
Chalie Myatt – 13 Artists
David Bradley – WME
Etienne Ziller – Astérios Spectacles
James Whitting – Wasserman Music
Jon Ollier – One Fiinix
Jules De Lattre – UTA
Steve Zapp – ITB
Summer Marshall – ITB
Tom Schroeder – Wasserman Music

The Award for Excellence and Passion

Alexander Schulz, DE
Anders Wahren, DK
Claire O’Neill, GB
Eric van Eerdenburg, NL
Maiju Talvisto, FI
Michal Thomes, CZ
Nika Brunet Milunovic, SI
Nikos Loris, GR
Stephan Thanscheidt, DE
Vlad Yaremchuk, UA

Newcomer of the Year
Presented by: ESNS

Balming Tiger, KR
Boygenius, US
Cat Burns, GB
David Kushner, US
Skaar, NO
Son Mieux, NL
Talk, CA
The Haunted Youth, BE
Wizkid, NG
Yard Act, GB

Line-Up of the Year
Presented by: IQ Magazine

Glastonbury, GB
Lowlands, NL
Mad Cool, ES
Open'er Festival, PL
Øya Festivalen, NO
Primavera Sound, ES
Rock en Seine, FR
Rock Werchter, BE
Roskilde Festival, DK
Sziget Festival, HU

Best Small Festival

Flash Festival Tuscany, IT
Focus in the Park, RO
Inota Festival, HU
Jazz in der Park, RO
Le Guess Who? Festival, NL
Maifeld Derby, DE
Noches del Botânico, ES
Sharpe Festival & Conference, SK
Sofia Live Festival, BG
Stars in Town, CH

Best Medium-Sized Festival

Bilbao BBK Live, ES
Clout Festival, PL
Codru Festival, RO
Heineken Balaton Sound, HU
Lovefest, RS
Montreux Jazz Festival, CH
Nostalgia Retro/Disco/Duture, RO
Orange Warsaw Festival, PL
Pohoda Festival, SK
Rock for People, CZ

Best Major Festival
Presented by: See Tickets

Beats for Love, CZ
Colours of Ostrava, CZ
Electric Castle, RO
Hurricane Festival, DE
Nature One, DE
Neversea Festival, RO
Open’er Festival, PL
Primavera Sound, ES
Sònar, ES
Ultra Europe, HR

The Lifetime Achievement Award
Ruud Berends, NL

Contact
Nikki McNeill | Global Publicity
nikki@globalpubicity.co.uk


ESNS Completes Artist Line-Up for 2024 Edition and Releases Timetable

Final additions to the music festival include Dutch acts CHARLOT, Hiqpy, Karsu, Noor, Numidia and Sophie Straat. ESNS also publishes the festival timetable in the new official app. ESNS24 will take place from January 17 - 20, 2024 in Groningen, the Netherlands. Festival tickets and conference registrations are available now.

Today, ESNS (Eurosonic Noorderslag), the key exchange for emerging European music, announces the full music line-up of 256 acts from 36 European countries to perform at its four-day showcase festival ESNS24. 

Discover all the acts taking the stages at unique locations in Groningen, the Netherlands between 17 and 20 January here.

Additionally, ESNS announces the renewed official ESNS app. Festival attendees can personalise their programme by selecting their favourite artists in the timetable. The official ESNS app is an essential tool for visitors and delegates who want to get the most out of their festival experience. Download the app in the App Store or Google Play

Final Additions to Festival Line-Up
Final additions to the music festival are CHARLOT (nl), Fuse (nl), Hiqpy (nl), Karsu (nl), Lov3less (nl), Maryn Charlie (nl), Max Hell (nl), MOJO FYRE (nl), Noor (nl), Numidia (nl), Parbleu (it), Queen's Pleasure (nl), Ritse (nl), Roxeanne Hazes (nl), Sef & het El Salvador Ensemble (nl), SERA (nl), Sophie Straat (nl), and THAMES (nl).

All the acts that are confirmed to play at ESNS 2024 are:
Ada Oda (be), Adriaan Persons (nl), AGGRASOPPAR (fo), Amber Broos (be, VRT/STUDIO BRUSSEL), Amistat (de), Ana Lua Caiano (pt), Angie (fr), Anna-Rose Clayton (nl), Annie Taylor (ch), Ão (be), ARAI (at), Arny Margret (is), Artificialice (pl), Ash Olsen (no), Astral Bakers (fr), AySay (dk, DR P6), Bad Daughter (hr), Batbait (ch), Bateu Matou (pt, RTP/ANTENA 3), Berry Galazka (pl), Betterov (de, ARD), BEX (at), Birrd (fr), BLUAI (be), Bo Milli (no), Bound By Endogamy (ch), Bracco (fr), Brama (fr), Brass Rave Unit (nl, NPO Soul & Jazz), Brintex Collective (nl), BROCKHOFF (de), Bulgarian Cartrader (bg), Buzz Ayaz (cy), C’est Karma (lu, LUERSL/100.7), Caroline Alves (ch, SRF3), CATT (de), CHAiLD (lu), Chalk (ie / uk-ni), CHARLOT (nl), Chica Chica (nl, NPO Soul & Jazz), Chubby Cat (ie), Ciśnienie (pl), Clarissa Connelly (dk), Claude (nl), ClockClock (de), CMAT (ie), Cocobolo (nl), COLLIGNON (nl), Colombre (it, RAI Radio 2), comforter2 (nl), Conchúr White (ie), crème solaire (ch), Cucamaras (uk-eng), Dame Area (es/it), Daniel Levi (ee, ERR/RADIO 2), Daniela Pes (it), Den Der Hale (se), Divorce From New York (es), Dlina Volny (by), Don Kapot (be), Dorpsstraat 3 (nl), Dottie Andersson (se), Droom Dit (nl), Duckshell (hu), Eddington Again (de), ELASI (it), Elephant (nl), Elmer (nl), Elmiene (uk-eng), English Teacher (uk-eng), Eurowitch (es), Expresso Transatlântico (pt), Fat Dog (uk-eng), Flaire (nl), Fran Vasilić (hr), Franek Warzywa & Młody Budda (pl), freekind. (si), Froukje (nl), Fuse (nl), Get Jealous (de/nl), Goldkimono (nl), Graham Lake (se), Grand Sun (pt), gugusar (is), Güner Künier (de), Gunmoll (nl), Habla de mí en presente (es), Heave Blood & Die (no), Hei'An (si), Hippotraktor (be), Hiqpy (nl), Honesty (uk-eng), Humour (uk-sco), I Love You Honey Bunny (cz), Idaly (nl), iedereen (de), IGNEA (ua), Immortal Onion x Michał Jan (pl), Iota Phi (gr), Iron Jinn (nl), ISHA (nl, NPO Soul & Jazz), Island Mint (cz, CR / RADIO WAVE), Iva Lorens (rs, RTS, RADIO BELGRADE ONE), Ivo Dimchev (bg), Izzy and the Black Trees (pl), Jana Mila (nl), Jann (pl), Jaz Karis (uk-eng, BBC Introducing), jazzygold (fo), Joalin (fi, YLE X), Joker Out (si, RADIO SLOVENIJA/Val202), Joon (mt), Joost (nl, 3FM), Jouska (no), Júlia Colom (es), Julia Sabaté (nl), Julie Pavon (dk), Kalush Orchestra (ua), KAMRAD (de, ARD), Karsu (nl), Kay Slice (nl, NPO Soul & Jazz), Kimyan Law (at), Kingfishr (ie), Kitty Florentine (ee), Klawo (pl), Kleine Crack & Slagter (be), Kuna Maze (be), LA ÉLITE (es), Lambrini Girls (uk-eng), LASY (pl), Laura Masotto (it), Le Boom (ie), Leatherette (it), LEILA (ch), Lenhart Tapes (rs), Lenny Monsou (nl), Library Card (nl), LÓN (is, RUV/RAS2), Los Sara Fontan (es), Loupe (nl), Lov3less (nl), Loverman (be), Lucky Lo (dk), Lufthansa (mk), Lynks (uk-eng, BBC Introducing), MARO (pt), Marta del Grandi (it), Maryn Charlie (nl), Master Peace (uk-eng), MAURINO (nl), Max Hell (nl), Melin Melyn (uk-wal), Meltheads (be, VRT/STUDIO BRUSSEL), Meowlau x Val (sk, RTVS/Radio_FM), Mickael Karkousse (be), Might Delete Later (lv, LATVIJAS RADIO 5), Mihail (ro), ML (be, TIPIK), MOJO FYRE (nl), Monte Mai (ch, RSI Rete3), Moonstone (pl), Morpheus (nl), Moses Yoofee Trio (de), Nathalie Froehlich (ch), Negros Tou Moria (gr, ERT / Kosmos), Nelly Moar (no, NRK/P3), néomi (nl), NFNR (ua), No Guidnce (uk-eng), Noor (nl), Numidia (nl), Nusantara Beat (nl), Nze Nze (fr), Ona Mafalda (es), Orbit (de), Orions Belte (no), Oskar Haag (at, ORF/FM4), Pablopablo (es), Parbleu (it), Pearl & The Oysters (fr), Pearly Drops (fi), Picture Parlour (uk-eng), Pip Blom (nl), Plié (lt), Ploegendienst (nl), Pol (nl), Polak GBP (pl), Polymoon (fi), Pommelien Thijs (be), Porcelain id (be), Primaat (nl), Prisma (dk), Promis3 (be), Psyché (it), Psycho Weazel (ch, COULEUR 3), Queen's Pleasure (nl), Quique (nl), Raghd (se), Ralphie Choo (es), Reanny (nl), Reinel Bakole (be), Rens, Jaïr & Ome Uncle (nl), Ritse (nl), ROLROLROL (nl, NPO Soul & Jazz), ROSEYE (nl, NPO Soul & Jazz), Roxeanne Hazes (nl), Roxy Dekker (nl), Rūta MUR (lt, LRT Opus), Sarah Julia (nl), Sef & het El Salvador Ensemble (nl), Sekou (uk-eng), SERA (nl), Shapednoise & Sevi Iko Dømochevsky present Absurd Matter (de/it), Sharktank (at), Shell Beach (hu), Shida Shahabi (se), Sierra (fr), sinks (cz), Skier and Yeti (rs), slowshift (no), Sluwe Ollie (nl), Sophie Straat (nl), Soyuz (by), Stuzzi (se, SR/P3), SUBFICTION (nl), Sweetlemondae (ie, RTE/2FM), Tamara Kramar (sk), Thala (de), THAMES (nl), The Indien (nl), The Love Buzz (ie), The Royston Club (uk-wal), The Vices (nl), The Winston Brothers (de), Tramhaus (nl), TRIGAIDA (bg, BNR), UNIVERSITY (uk-eng), Us (fi), UTO (fr), Uzi Freyja (fr), Vévaki (is), Viji (at), VIRTA (fi), W!ZARD (fr), Waclaw Zimpel (pl), waterbaby (se), Wax Museum (de), Yard (ie), Yaro Mila (nl), YĪN YĪN (nl), Yoni Mayraz (uk-eng), yunè pinku (ie), Yung Dada (nl), Zaho de Sagazan (fr, Radio France), Zamilska (pl), and Zoë Livay (nl).

Discover the complete line-up and timetable at ESNS.nl, in our official ESNS Festival playlist and the official ESNS app.

Tickets
ESNS tickets are available at ESNS.nl
Buy festival tickets here: esns.nl/en/tickets

Registrations for the ESNS conference are available at a Late Rate until December 11, 12:00 PM CET. Afterwards, Conference Registrations will be available at a Walk-Up Rate at ESNS.nl
Register now

ESNS24 will take place from January 17 - 20, 2024 in Groningen, the Netherlands.

About ESNS
ESNS (Eurosonic Noorderslag) is a non-profit organisation and independent platform dedicated to promoting and discovering new European and Dutch music.

Founded in 1986, ESNS annually hosts the annual four-day showcase festival and music conference across venues in Groningen, the Netherlands. Uncover the most enthralling emerging European (Eurosonic) and Dutch (Noorderslag) acts ranging from mainstream pop to progressive finds during the festival, which sets the stage for leading European festivals. Expand your knowledge of industry-leading topics and innovation during the conference, geared at trailblazing the music industry towards a sustainable future.

ESNS has proven essential in breaking new European acts into live music scenes throughout Europe and beyond. Launched in 1986, the showcase festival has an impressive history and proven track record of kickstarting the international careers of artists like Altin Gün, Alina Pash, Arlo Parks, Baby Volcano, Deki Alem, Dua Lipa, Fontaines D.C., girl in red, Hania Rani, The Haunted Youth, July Jones, Meduza, Priya Ragu, Pongo, Queralt Lahoz, Sigrid, Tramhaus, Trupa Trupa, and Wet Leg.

Press accreditation
Press is required to request press accreditation to attend the festival. Find all the information on acquiring accreditation to both the festival and the conference on the online press centre of ESNS.

Contact:
Nikki McNeill | Global Publicity
nikki@globalpublicity.co.uk


ESNS Announces Keynote Speakers for 2024 Music Conference

Amy Thomson (formerly Hipgnosis, ATM Artists), John Mulder (MOJO Concerts / Live Nation), and Mark Mulligan (MIDiA Research) are the first keynote speakers announced for ESNS24. Other featured speakers confirmed include Justin Lockey (Editors), Ibán García Del Blanco (European Parliament), Helienne Lindvall (ECSA), and George Musgrave (Goldsmiths, University of London).

Festival tickets and conference registrations are available now.

ESNS (Eurosonic Noorderslag), the key exchange for emerging European music, announces the first keynotes and featured speakers for its music conference, which will present thought-provoking and industry-leading topics including Sustainability, Safety & Mental Health, Diversity & Inclusion, Technology & Innovation, Focus on Poland, and many more. ESNS24 will take place from January 17 - 20, 2024, in Groningen, the Netherlands.

Keynote Speakers at ESNS24
Amy Thomson is the former Chief Catalog Officer at Hipgnosis Songs Fund and CEO and founder of ATM Artists, where she executed record releases, marketing campaigns, touring, legal rights and copyright for clients including Kanye West, DJ Snake, Swedish House Mafia, Gorillaz, and Seal. Her passion for catalogue management led her to develop an online application that helps artists manage their metadata. Amy Thomson will address the music industry’s challenges regarding finding, tracking, and tracing metadata across different platforms.

‘Nothing is impossible’ according to John Mulder, who will resign as CEO of Mojo Concerts, the Dutch Live Nation subsidiary, on January 1. As a troubleshooter and organisational talent, he created the MOJO barrier and is co-initiator of AFAS Live and the Ziggo Dome. In addition, John Mulder is the tour manager of Metallica. During this special keynote interview, John Mulder reflects on his versatile career.

Mark Mulligan is the Managing Director of MIDiA Research. As a long-term media and technology analyst, he is considered a leading thinker on the music industry’s digital transition. At ESNS24, Mark Mulligan will explore the rise of the next music business, explaining that we're already entering the post-streaming era. Mark Mulligan will present a vision for what this new world will look like and who will be the key players.

Newly announced Programme highlights
As the European music industry is gearing up for ESNS, the conference programme is rapidly taking shape with newly announced conference program highlights, reflecting on the current state of the music industry and looking ahead.

Joining the Music Industry Therapists Collective, Justin Lockey of English rock band Editors will share his insights on mental health on the road, shining a light on touring with Editors. Additionally, George Musgrave (Goldsmiths, University of London) will join two sessions about mental health.

European Parliament MEP Ibán García Del Blanco joins a panel moderated by Helienne Lindvall (ECSA) to discuss the European Parliament draft report on Cultural diversity and the conditions for authors in the European music streaming market. The panellists will discuss the findings and recommendations of the report and share insights on how these can contribute to a more inclusive, fair, and thriving music industry in Europe. Helienne Lindvall will speak at ESNS24 about challenges versus new business opportunities in the AI ecosystem and industry responses to streaming fraud.

ESNS Tech is a series of panel discussions curated by innovation specialist and community builder Turo Pekari (Music Finland). Experts in the intersection of music and technology will address topics such as tomorrow’s business model. ESNS Tech will tune into challenges, opportunities and the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence within the music industry.

Discover the full conference program here. More panels and speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.

Attend ESNS24 as a Delegate
Join ESNS at the Conference in January and meet with tastemakers from the European music industry, including representatives from companies like Spotify, Universal Music, Google/YouTube, Live Nation, UTA, See Tickets, MIDiA Research, Pollstar, IQ, and over a hundred European festivals and live music venues. 

Registrations for the ESNS conference are available at ESNS.nl
Register now

ESNS Conference Registrations include:

  • Access to the conference and festival with fast-lane access.
  • Access to networking lounges and hospitality options.
  • Access to the ESNS Delegates Database to network with other delegates in advance.
  • Access to ESNS Analytics, where you can find up-to-date data on artists who performed at previous editions.

Tickets for the festival are available at ESNS.nl. Buy tickets here: esns.nl/en/tickets

ESNS24 will take place from January 17 - 20, 2024, in Groningen, the Netherlands.

About ESNS
ESNS (Eurosonic Noorderslag) is a non-profit organisation and independent platform dedicated to promoting and discovering new European and Dutch music.

Founded in 1986, ESNS annually hosts a four-day showcase festival and music conference in Groningen, the Netherlands. Uncover the most enthralling emerging European (Eurosonic) and Dutch (Noorderslag) acts ranging from mainstream pop to progressive finds during the festival, which sets the stage for leading European festivals. Expand your knowledge of industry-leading topics and innovation during the conference, geared at trailblazing the music industry towards a sustainable future.

ESNS has proven essential in breaking new European acts into live music scenes throughout Europe and beyond. Launched in 1986, the showcase festival has an impressive history and proven track record of kickstarting the international careers of artists like Altin Gün, Alina Pash, Arlo Parks, Baby Volcano, Deki Alem, Dua Lipa, Fontaines D.C., girl in red, Hania Rani, The Haunted Youth, July Jones, Meduza, Priya Ragu, Pongo, Queralt Lahoz, Sigrid, Tramhaus, Trupa Trupa, and Wet Leg.

Press accreditation
Press is required to request press accreditation to attend the festival. Find all the information on acquiring accreditation to both the festival and the conference on the online press centre of ESNS.

More information, contact & downloads
Contact ESNS | press@esns.nl
ESNS logo and images -  download


Brighton Music Conference Announce New A&R Sessions For 2024 Edition

The award-winning Brighton Music Conference (BMC), the UK’s leading electronic music and networking event is excited to introduce the new A&R Sessions for its 11th edition with 29 labels confirmed.

As the event moves into its next decade, BMC are proud to present the new and improved ‘A&R Sessions’ which is headed up by the prolific DJ and music producer Steve Mac who has used his industry connections to bring in a wider range of labels and genres, including major labels who have never taken part before.

Confirmed labels include;
Axtone, Armada, Another Rhythm, Audio Rehab, Critical, Constant Circles, Cubisium, Crucast, Data Transmission, Defected, Fat Cat, Freakin 909, Glasgow Underground, Helix Records, Hospital, Inflyte, Jalapeno, Jack Said What, Krafted, Mesh Records, Recovery, Red Giant Recordings, Republica Records, RHYTHM CULT, R&S, Sleazy D, Sunflower Records, Toolroom, Trusted Rhythm.

Says Steve Mac:
“I am delighted to be involved with the new BMC A&R Sessions this year. I think this is a great opportunity for artists to get their music heard by the industry experts and potentially getting music signed. As a label owner myself and also now running an artists management company, we are always looking for the next generation of up and coming artists. We want to help and make their dreams come true.”

Steve Mac is one of the most respected UK producers in the game. He has over 1000 releases under his belt including original productions, producing other artists and remixing the likes of Jamiroquai, Amy Winehouse and Michael Jackson. The former Rhythm Masters man has built up an enviable selection of analogue hardware in his recording studio, The Bunker, and the clarity of sound emanating out of his studio mixdowns is the backbone to the success of the Jack Said What sound. Steve has toured with the likes of Pete Tong, Nic Fanciulli and Layo & Bushwacka, held down DJ residencies in Ibiza, and in early 2023 released his long-awaited artist album ‘Bless This Acid House’, which featured collabs with the likes of Marshall Jefferson and Robert Owens. His latest project is producing the score for Trainspotting: The Musical, due to hit the west end of London in autumn 2024.

Taking place at The Tempest Inn on Brighton’s beachfront, just a short walk from the main BMC Hub at the prestigious Brighton i360 complex, the ‘A&R Sessions’ will provide a relaxed, friendly environment, where up and coming producers will have opportunity to book one-to-one sessions with the labels of their choice, giving that golden opportunity for immediate feedback with leading A&Rs in the electronic music industry. 

Sessions will be booked on a first come first served basis. Limited spaces available, book your tickets now here.

The talent always exceeds expectations and past editions have seen tracks signed to labels including Armada, Axtone, Krafted and New State Music.

Axtone’s Edd Thomas said:
‘It was great to connect with aspiring producers. One of the most encouraging things was to see a much more diverse group of aspiring producers coming through, surely the fruits of some brilliant initiatives like shesaid.so.”

BMC - Where Beats Means Business
More info on BMC here: https://www.brightonmusicconference.co.uk/

BMC Tickets
BMC Golden tickets - Limited numbers available
BMC tickets are onsale now for £125 + b/f from the BMC website: www.brightonmusicconference.co.uk

 

About Brighton Music Conference
The award-winning Brighton Music Conference (BMC) is the UK's leading electronic music conference & networking event, focusing on innovation, education & the key issues facing the electronic dance music sector.  BMC brings together Industry-leading delegates and speakers at over 60 talks, seminars and workshops, alongside networking events throughout the conference duration. It is attended by 1000s of experienced music industry professionals, the next generation of DJs, producers as well as electronic music enthusiasts. 

BMC was also awarded by the NTIA at the  Ambassadors of the Night Awards 2019 for their work and commitment to developing awareness and education of the UK Electronic Music Scene internationally within the NTE.

BMC also supports the charity Last Night A DJ Saved My Life.

Contact
For more info please contact Nikki | Global Publicity
nikki@globalpublicity.co.uk