From January 17 to 20, 2024, Eurosonic Noorderslag (ESNS) will energize Groningen, Netherlands, with a vibrant four-day celebration of the European music industry. The event seamlessly integrates music festivals, industry conferences, and award shows.

ESNS kicks off with three days of showcasing acts from across the entire European continent during Eurosonic. The spotlight then shifts to Noorderslag on the final day, focusing on the wealth of domestic talent within the Netherlands.

This year’s ESNS boasts an impressive lineup of nearly 300 acts, anticipating an audience of over 40,000 attendees. With a history spanning 38 years, ESNS has served as a launchpad for numerous artists who went on to international acclaim, including Arlo Parks, Dua Lipa, Fontaines DC, Sigrid, and Wet Leg.

Euronews is gearing up for ESNS, ready to immerse itself in the festivities. While covering such a vast event is a daunting task, there are already anticipated highlights. CMAT from Ireland will bring glossy indie-pop, joined by Iceland’s Arny Margret, offering a treat for fans seeking the next Phoebe Bridgers.

Ukraine’s representation will include the Eurovision-winning Kalush Orchestra and Portuguese entry Maro. The hip-hop genre will feature Austria’s BEX and Greece’s Negros Tou Moria. In the soul category, the UK’s Elmiene promises to captivate audiences.

The Dutch talent pool is rich and diverse, ranging from Froukje’s pop sensibilities to Joost’s electronic prowess and the Vices’ indie rock charm, ensuring there’s something for every taste among the 100-plus Dutch artists.

This year, ESNS places a special focus on Poland, highlighting the country’s music sector. Among the 12-strong lineup of Polish talent, award-nominated Berry Galazka stands out, alongside Artificialice, Ciśnienie, Franek Warzywa & Młody Budda, Klawo, Immortal Onion, Izzy and the Black Trees, LASY, Moonstone, Wacław Zimpel, and Zamilska.

Awards Shows

ESNS goes beyond showcasing music; it also serves as the venue for multiple music awards shows, starting with the Music Moves Europe Awards (MME). This annual event celebrates the most promising emerging artists on the continent.

The coveted Grand Jury Prize at the MME Awards includes €10,000 and a €5,000 green touring voucher. Past recipients of this prestigious prize include Stromae, Rosalía, and Christine and the Queens.

This year, the 15 nominees competing for the top prize are: Bulgarian Cartrader (Bulgaria), Fran Vasilić (Croatia), Giift (Denmark), Pearly Drops (Finland), Zaho de Sagazan (France), ClockClock (Germany), Arny Margret (Iceland), yunè pinku (Ireland), Tramhaus (Netherlands), Ash Olsen (Norway), Berry Galazka (Poland), Ana Lua Caiano (Portugal), freekind. (Slovenia), Ralphie Choo (Spain), and waterbaby (Sweden).

Following the MME Awards, Groningen will host the European Festival Awards, now in its 13th edition. This ceremony honors the best music festivals across the continent, with categories ranging from size distinctions (Best Small/Medium/Major Festival) to recognizing excellence in festival operations (Green Operations/Event Safety).

For the Best Major Festival category, this year’s nominees include Beats for Love (Czechia), Colors of Ostrava (Czechia), Electric Castle (Romania), Hurricane Festival (Germany), Nature One (Germany), Neversea Festival (Romania), Open’er Festival (Poland), Primavera Sound (Spain), Sónar (Spain), and Ultra Europe (Croatia).

Competing for the Line-Up of the Year Award are Glastonbury (UK), Lowlands (Netherlands), Mad Cool (Spain), Open’er Festival (Poland), Øya Festivalen (Norway), Primavera Sound (Spain), Rock En Seine (France), Rock Werchter (Belgium), Roskilde (Denmark), and Sziget Festival (Hungary).

Industry intel

In addition to the vibrant festivals and prestigious award shows, ESNS draws industry professionals for its annual conference events. With over 500 speakers participating, these sessions cover every facet of the music business in Europe through engaging panel discussions.

Among the notable keynote speakers is Amy Thomson, CEO and founder of ATM Artists and former Chief Catalogue Officer at Hipgnosis Songs Fund. Hipgnosis Songs Fund is renowned for acquiring the back catalogues of multiple legendary artists. Thomson’s insights promise to provide valuable perspectives on the industry.

The lineup of speakers features leaders from music festivals, music streaming platforms, and government officials, creating a diverse and comprehensive dialogue on the current state and future trends of the European music business