This increasingly important double festival has announced plans for the 2004 edition. Eurosonic, the European showcase festival will definitely see an increase on the number of acts appearing, well over 150 are expected to perform in a variety of venues in Groningen in Northern Holland over three days, January 8-10.

ETEP:

After the success of the first edition in 2003, The European Talent Exchange Program will be continued and developed at ES/NS. This co-operation of European festivals, radio stations and EuroSonic/Noorderslag, aims to encourage the opportunities for, and the diversity of, European bands performing at European ETEP festivals throughout Europe, and to ensure radio and media support. Last year some 24 European acts performed over 50 festival shows at 25 different festivals. As with last year, the selection of acts for ETEP will be made at ES/NS.

Radio broadcast:

Active support by over twenty national broadcasters from all over Europe, including Holland’s 3FM, UK’s BBC, P3 from Sweden, Belgium’s Studio Brussels, RTE Ireland, Germany’s WDR/Eins Live, France’s Le Mouv’ and Denmark’s P3, provides live radio broadcasts in these and several other European territories through the European Broadcasting Union network, bringing the festival to an audience of millions of radio listeners. It’s pretty safe to say that this event offers performing bands the best European wide exposure next to, the Eurovision Song Contest, but fortunately unlike that event, the added attendance of prime online and press media at the festival can help to develop long term international careers for the new talent performing.

Acts so far confirmed include:A.S. Dragon (f), Admiral Freebee (b), Anima Sound System (hu), Bell x 1 (irl), Cranebuilders (uk), Don Johnson Big Band (fin), Hell On Wheels (s), Modena City Ramblers (i), Seed (d), Soulvation (nl), Under Byen (dk) and Zuzana (sk). The label, Play It Again Sam, will host a special showcase at EuroSonic, with special performances by some of the record company’s prime acts.

ES/NS is organised by the Noorderslag Foundation, in co-operation with Conamus, De Oosterpoort and the Dutch Rock and Pop Institute (NPI), European Broadcasting Union (EBU), The Network and Yourope. Noorderslag Weekend is powered by Essent and supported by Buma. Sponsored by Essent Awards and Plato and supported by Gemeente Groningen, Provincie Groningen, 3voor12, Amsterdam Dance Event, Buro Gogo, EVD, Dutchsound.nl, IMMF, Live Dance Music Conference, Ministerie van OC&W, Mojo Concerts/ Clear Channel Entertainment, Radio 3FM, Sena, NVPI, STAP and Thuiskopiefonds, Network Europe, VNP, Signo & S, Ernst & Young and Ampco Pro Rent.

Conference:

1300 music business professionals are expected to attend the Noorderslag Weekend. A broad base of Europe’s prime booking agencies and radio stations support shows at EuroSonic/Noorderslag, using the event as a discussion platform for the (live) music industry and as a showcase for new artists and new music from Europe.

A large number of international panels are scheduled for The Noorderslag Seminar conference. Topics discussed will include ticketing and international taxation, while a number of keynote speeches and public interviews with music industry leaders are planned. Noorderslag Seminar also features a dedicated musicXport meeting on the German music market and market presentations on the UK, Hungary and Germany. ‘The possibilities for alternative music on public pop radio’ is a topic supported by the European Broadcasting Union, while other topics include ‘Telephone companies as the new music distributors’, ‘How do we make a deal on downloads?’ and ‘New trends in the live music business’.

The Network, the representational body of independent bookers, agents and promoters will, once again, meet at ES/NS, while Yourope (European festivals) and the European Broadcasting Union have scheduled meetings at the conference. International manager federation IMMF also actively supports the conference. Apart from the international panels and meetings, over 30 Dutch language meetings are planned on a variety of subjects concerning Dutch music and the Dutch music industry.

Further details: www.noorderslag.nl REGISTRATION DEADLINE ON DECEMBER 15 - € 110 – 145 Register online, download registration form from the website, or call +31 35 621 87 48