The Eurosonic Noorderslag (ESNS) festival in Groningen, Netherlands, continues to launch emerging artists' careers as it approaches its 40th anniversary next year. With a history of spotlighting future stars like Dua Lipa and Hozier, the event offers vital exposure to international bookers. The 2026 edition, set for January 14-17, features a promising lineup of new talents.
Festival Overview
Eurosonic Noorderslag (ESNS) is a four-day music showcase festival and conference held annually in January in Groningen, Netherlands. Founded in 1986, it brings together 300 emerging artists from across Europe, attracting 40,000 fans and 4,000 industry delegates from 400 festivals, as seen in the 2025 event. The festival serves as a key platform for up-and-coming acts to secure global bookings and advance their live careers.
Rich History and Past Successes
Over nearly four decades, ESNS has nurtured talents including James Blake, Jake Bugg, Jessie Ware, Franz Ferdinand, Bastille, Stromae, Christine And The Queens, Robyn, Enter Shikari, Lykke Li, Seinabo Sey, CMAT, and AURORA. Dua Lipa performed in 2016 and described it as a 'massive step up' in her career, leading to her Glastonbury headline eight years later. Hozier used the 2017 event to kickstart his live trajectory, while The xx debuted in 2010 before launching their own festival, Night + Day.
Immediate Impact on Artists
Performances at ESNS often yield quick results. Following the 2025 edition, British alt-rock artist Luvcat secured 11 festival bookings, including Pukkelpop in Belgium, Rock En Seine in France, and Way Out West in Sweden. Irish indie band Cliffords and Belgian alt-pop star Sylvie Kreusch each landed nine bookings, while Alessi Rose gained eight and opened for Dua Lipa at Wembley Stadium. Irish rock band The Academic, after their 2016 shows, noted: 'We have never played so many shows in such a little space of time.'
International Reach and Network
Post-Brexit, ESNS provides essential access for UK bands to European opportunities. Booker Roel Coppen of Best Kept Secret festival values it for discovering overlooked artists, while Stephan Reichmann of Haldern Pop calls it 'so valuable' for networking. Belgian shoegaze band The Haunted Youth credited their 2023 appearance for leading to 'so many cool shows.' Participation grants entry to the European Talent Exchange program, which since 2003 has enabled 2,295 artists from 36 countries to perform 5,709 shows at 208 partner festivals in 48 countries.
2026 Lineup and Anniversary
The 2026 event, marking ESNS's 40th anniversary, runs from January 14-17 in Groningen. Confirmed artists include Suffolk rapper EV, Scottish indie-soul singer-songwriter Becky Sikasa, Wigan shoegazer TTSSFU, Norfolk indie-pop sensation Nadia Kadek, County Wicklow rockers Florence Road, Irish folk star Dove Ellis, indie titans Keo, and Latvian ravers Might Delete Later, with more announcements expected.