Everything you need to know to prepare, perform and succeed at Eurosonic Noorderslag (ESNS) on one page. ESNS (Eurosonic Noorderslag) is Europe's most important Showcase Festival and Music Conference, held every January in Groningen, The Netherlands. It functions as a professional filter where the industry gathers to identify the acts to book for the upcoming season. With over 4000+ Industry Professionals, 400+ Festival Bookers and 130+ Partner Festivals in attendance, you're sure to make some impactful connections. Let's break it down for you, what's important to know before you visit ESNS?
Focuses on emerging European talent ready for international export. The showcase stages are where bookers come to discover the next big acts.
Highlights Dutch acts for domestic industry and fans. A separate but parallel programme running alongside Eurosonic.
By performing at ESNS, you are automatically eligible for Europen Talent Exchange, a programme that has facilitated over 6,200 shows at 130+ partner festivals globally. Your showcase is not just one gig; it opens the door to the whole European circuit.
This is your primary networking tool. Use it to identify, contact, and schedule individual meetings with labels, agents, and bookers before you even arrive in Groningen. The artists who succeed at ESNS arrive with meetings already booked.
1. Timing is everything: Coordinate your showcase with a new release or campaign. Success stories like Lézard and Cardinals saw growth because their appearances coincided with carefully timed album cycles.
2. The 'Power' Setlist: The first two songs are critical. Bookers often decide within minutes if they want to offer a deal.
3. Save live performances in your EPK. For booking agents, it's incredibly important to look at how you present yourself on stage.
4. Research who's attending. Prepare for networking, set up meetings, and know who you want to speak with before you land in Groningen.
5. Prepare a follow-up: Plan your post-ESNS outreach before the festival. What do you want to say to the people you spoke to afterwards?
6. Digital Footprint: Ensure your social media and streaming profiles are fully up to date. Bookers use these platforms to verify your 'buzz' and audience engagement before committing.
7. Have a Spokesperson: A professional manager or agent lets you focus on the performance while they talk to the right people for attending your show.
