European Music Industry gathers in Groningen as ESNS25 begins

The 39th edition of ESNS, a prominent showcase platform for emerging European music, officially began yesterday in Groningen, Netherlands. Running until January 18, the event combines the Eurosonic and Noorderslag festivals with a music conference, drawing thousands of music fans and approximately 4,000 industry professionals from 41 countries across Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and North America. Tickets for the ESNS25 showcase festivals are sold out. This year, 333 artists from 33 countries will perform on over 40 stages across 30 venues in Groningen. The event provides a platform for emerging talent to gain international visibility, with many artists securing bookings at festivals and promotional opportunities through the European Talent Exchange and partnerships with 130 festivals and 31 EBU radio stations. Italy is the featured country at ESNS25, with 16 emerging Italian acts set to perform. The program also includes discussions on Italy’s music scene and industry trends. The ESNS Conference includes over 140 sessions, featuring 500 speakers addressing themes such as industry innovation, challenges, and opportunities. The event attracts over 4,000 professionals, offering networking and career-building opportunities.