ESNS (Eurosonic Noorderslag), the key exchange for emerging European music talent is gearing up for its 2023 edition, which will be the first in-person event post pandemic. Taking place from 18th to 21st January 2023, the event has proven essential in breaking new European acts into live music scenes throughout Europe and beyond and is the place to discover new breakthrough acts before they make it big. You heard it first at ESNS!
There is so much to discover during the 4 days and nights of the event including the conference, festival, awards shows and much more. Here are some of the highlights…
Conference
By day, the ESNS conference program will include over 150 panel discussions, interviews, keynotes covering a diverse range of topics will be presented in the panels and keynotes, ranging from the current developments in the music industry, its future and current affairs, sustainability, mental health, the Green Deal and inclusivity will be prominently featured.
Keynotes being hosted at the conference this year include learning all about transforming the music industry with Scott Cohen, exploring Spain’s music scene with Robert Gríma, deep dive into music history with the exclusive Sub Pop keynote interview featuring Jonathan Poneman, Bruce Pavitt and music journalist Everett True. Looking at the current state and future of the music business, Andrew Melchior will share his view on engaging with audiences in the era of deglobalization and reduced emission lifestyles, Mark Mulligan investigates companies and methods that are building the foundation for a new business counter culture and Dua Lipa and her manager Dukagjin Lipa will be in conversation with IQ Magazine editor Gordon Masson for an exclusive Keynote speaking about their acclaimed Sunny Hill Festival and Sunny Hill Foundation.
View the full conference schedule here: https://esns.nl/en/conference/timetable
Festival
By night, over 300 European acts perform across 40 locations in the heart of Groningen in the ESNS Festival. The festival has proven essential in breaking new European acts into live music scenes throughout Europe and beyond. ESNS23 is the place to discover new breakthrough acts before they make it big. You heard it first at ESNS!
View the full line up here: https://esns.nl/en/festival/artists/
Focus of Spain
Each year Eurosonic Noorderslag highlights a different country, showcasing the diverse musical talent across Europe. This year Spain will be the focus country taking centre stage in close collaboration with The Spanish Wave and regions of Spain like Andalucia, Basque Country, Balearics, Catalonia, Galicia, Madrid, Murcia, Valencia and Navarra. It is all about bringing the freshest Spanish talent to the ESNS stages and put these in front of a professional audience, media and music lovers. Artists from 9 different parts of Spain include; Ghouljaboy (Andalucia), Irenegarry (Madrid), Kokoshca (Navarra), Lava Fizz (Balearic Islands), Maestro Espada (Murcia), Mainline Magic Orchestra (Catalonia), Marina Herlop (Catalonia), Marta Knight (Catalonia), Merina Gris (Basque Country), Mundo Prestigio (Galicia), Queralt Lahoz (Catalonia), Shanghai Baby (Madrid), Tanxuguieras (Galicia), Yo Diablo (Valencia), and Zetak (Basque Country).
ESNS Conference will also present all you need to know about the Spanish music sector with a program of panels, workshops, keynotes and networking events. Speakers include; Cindy Castillo (Mad Cool), Sebastian Vera (Mallorca Live Festival), Robert Grima Guallart (Live Nation), Cesar Guisado (Monkey Week), Jordi Anglés (Ticketmaster) ansd many more.
Music Moves Europe Awards
On 19 January 2023, the winners of the 2023 Music Moves Europe Awards will be announced. Fifteen outstanding nominated artists are eligible for this year’s MME Awards, including the acclaimed Grand Jury Award, and the Public Choice Award. The 2023 nominees are Amelie Siba (Czechia), CMAT (Ireland), eee gee (Denmark), Goldkimono (Netherlands), Hause Plants (Portugal), Jerry Heil (Ukraine), July Jones (Slovenia), Kids Return (France), KOIKOI (Serbia), Monikaze (Lithuania), Oska (Austria), Queralt Lahoz (Spain), Sans Soucis (Italy), schmyt (Germany), The Haunted Youth (Belgium).
Five Music Moves Europe Award winners will receive €10,000 each. The winner of the Grand Jury Award will receive €10.000 and a green touring voucher worth €5,000. The winner of the Public Choice Award will receive €5,000. The Music Moves Europe Awards Ceremony will be presented by radio host Fernando Halman and Ukrainian singer, and former MME Award winner Alina Pash. The MME Awards are a prize of the European Union, and has previously been known as EBBA and Music Moves Europe Talent Awards. Previous winners include Rosalia, Dua Lipa, Stromae, Hozier, Pale Waves, Meskerem Mees, Blanks and Christine and the Queens.
European Festival Awards
After a forced hiatus due to the pandemic, the European Festival Awards finally return for the 2022 season. And there is a lot to celebrate. Festivals new and old, spectacular line-ups, unforgettable experiences, outstanding activations and innovations as well as the simple joy of seeing music live on stage again. All this and more will be honoured on the 12th edition of the European Festival Awards (EFA), set to take place on January 18th, 2023, at De Oosterpoort in Groningen, The Netherlands.
This year’s Lifetime Achievement Award has already been announced, being awarded to Roskilde Festival, its full team and volunteers in Denmark. They will receive their award at the ceremony along with all the other winners who will be announced on the night.
ESNS Recommended
Each year ESNS asks its international media attending the event which acts will be the ones to watch. Check out the most recommended acts below. This years most recommended acts are; CMAT, The Haunted Youth, Deki Alem, Arny Margaret, Taxi Kebab and Σtella. View all the recommended acts here.https://esns.nl/nl/festival/recommeded-2023/
ESNS23 Playlist
To get familiar with the artists you will be able to discover in Groningen, a playlist has been created with all the confirmed acts for ESNS23. Listen here: https://sdz.sh/9Ja849
ESNS23 Tickets
ESNS conference registrations here: http://esns.nl/en/conference/conference-registrations/
About ESNS
ESNS (Eurosonic Noorderslag) is the key exchange for emerging European music talent, with a proven track record of helping to break new acts on the international music scene, with now well-known names such as Altin Gün, Arlo Parks, Alyona Alyona, Daði Freyr, Dua Lipa, Fontaines D.C., Hinds, Go_A, girl in red, Meduza, Meskerem Mees, MYD, Priya Ragu, Pip Blom, Pongo, Sigrid and Wet Leg.
Each January, ESNS showcases 350 emerging European artists to over 40,000 visitors. The festival and conference attract over 4,000 music industry professionals, including 400 international festivals. By day, the front-running conference hosts over 150 panel discussions, interviews, keynotes and more that take on urgent subjects and the need for social change in the music industry. By night, European acts perform across 40 locations in the heart of Groningen from Wednesday to Friday, and Saturday presents upcoming Dutch artists in concert venue De Oosterpoort.