ESNS 2025 concludes with sold-out shows and 333 emerging acts

The 39th edition of ESNS, a showcase festival for emerging European music, concluded on Saturday at De Oosterpoort in Groningen, Netherlands. The event showcased 333 new European acts from 33 countries to approximately 40,000 attendees, including music fans and industry professionals. Tickets for the ESNS Festival were sold out. Over four days, Groningen became a hub for emerging European artists, with more than 300 acts delivering standout performances. The event underscored ESNS`s role in promoting European talent on the global stage. Anna van Nunen, Managing Director of ESNS, highlighted the event`s success: "ESNS25 has once again proved that music is both our cultural heartbeat and an investment that pays dividends. Across Groningen this week, from intimate venue showcases to major performances at De Oosterpoort`s main stage, and through inspiring sessions at the ESNS Conference, we`ve seen how our European music ecosystem thrives when properly supported - connecting grassroots venues with international talent agents, major festivals with sustainability experts, and emerging talent with industry professionals. To maintain this momentum, we must support the fundamentals: the rehearsal spaces, the small venues, and the talent development programmes across Europe. ESNS continues to show that when we invest in music`s foundations, we create both cultural and economic prosperity." "The diversity of European music was brilliantly showcased at ESNS25," says Program Director Robert Meijerink. "We witnessed outstanding performances from Daniela Pes, Big Mama and Bassolino from our Focus country Italy, MRCY (uk), Sylvie Kreusch (be), Maquina (pt), Meule (fr), CVC (uk), Personal Trainer (nl) and Kosmonauci (pl) among many others. It`s especially exciting to see artists like Music Moves Europe Awards winners YAMÊ (France), Judeline (Spain) Kingfishr (ire), Naomi Sharon (nl), Night Tapes (ee), Uche Yara and nominees like Loverman (be), Woomb (bg) and Zimmer 90 (de) breaking through internationally.”