Smukfest Appoints New Booker Ahead of 2025 Edition
Denmark’s second-largest music festival, Smukfest, has appointed Emma Hestbæk as a new booker, joining music director Mikkel Xavier at the helm of the festival’s music programming.
Emma Hestbæk brings extensive industry experience, having previously served as Booker at Copenhagen venue Vega, and worked as a promoter and festival organiser at live agency smash!bang!pow! and the Syd for Solen festival.
She also holds a master’s degree in Management of Creative Business Processes from Copenhagen Business School (CBS).
“Even with a packed lineup, Emma might turn out to be our most important booking in 2025,” said Xavier. “She has a great sense of the audience, a strong track record in delivering memorable live experiences, and a keen eye for where music is headed. Her wide network across both Denmark and abroad is a perfect fit for Smukfest. We’re very excited about the collaboration.”
Hestbæk officially joins on October 1 and will contribute to the development of Smukfest’s new strategic and vision plan for 2025–2029. She will be on site for the 2025 festival.
“I’m looking forward to many great years in the beech forest and to creating amazing music programs that bring together all kinds of people at Denmark’s best festival,” Hestbæk said.
In addition to Hestbæk and Xavier, the Smukfest booking team includes festival founder JP Andersen and Jesper Fanø. Each year, the festival hosts around 160 concerts across five stages, showcasing both emerging Danish acts and major international artists.
This year’s lineup includes international stars such as 50 Cent, Will Smith, and Iggy Pop, alongside Danish performers like Annika, Anton Westerlin, and Aphaca.