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ESNS 2026
January 14–17 2026
Groningen (NL)
Artists from Wallonia
and Brussels
Professional Activities
Wallonie-Bruxelles Musiques will once again be a partner of Eurosonic-Noorderslag. With the help of our friends at VI.BE and the support of Sabam For Culture, Playright and Lotto under the Belgium Booms banner, we will shine a light on BE artists.
Like every year, Belgium Booms organizes our famous Belgium Booms drink with the support of Sabam For Culture and PlayRight, supported by Lotto. On Friday 16 January, we will also be hosting a Belgium Booms dinner. This time reserved for Belgian delegates only. More info TBA.
About ESNS
Each January, ESNS introduces 350 emerging European artists to more than 40,000 music fans and more than 4,000 music industry professionals, including 400 international festivals. During the day, the conference hosts more than 150 panel discussions, interviews, keynotes and much more on pressing issues and the need for social change in the music industry. In the evening, European acts will perform at 40 different venues in the heart of Groningen from Wednesday through Friday. And on Saturday, emerging Dutch artists take center stage during Noorderslag at De Oosterpoort.
ESNS has proven essential in helping new European acts break through into live music scenes across Europe and beyond.
Besides providing a stage for new music, ESNS supports artists by organizing the talent development program ESNS Exchange, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. To celebrate the diversity and ambition of European and Dutch music, the festival also awards several prestigious prizes, including the Music Moves Europe Award, European Festival Award and the Popprijs.
Eurosonic Noorderslag (ESNS) is a non-profit, European artist only, 100% showcase festival and music conference. Selling out each year ESNS attracts over 4.000 professional delegates, including 400 international festivals, and showcases around 350 European artists for over 40.000 visitors total.
By day an international music conference takes place in the conference centre, De Oosterpoort, with 150 panels, keynotes, interviews, workshops, dinners, pitches, parties, presentations and meetings on the latest developments in the European and international music, media, production and interactive industry.
By night, during the two showcase festivals (Eurosonic and Noorderslag), musical talent has the chance to present itself to an international audience of music lovers and professionals. Eurosonic is the stepping stone for European acts, taking place in 40 different locations throughout the city centre of Groningen from Wednesday till Friday.