Press Release - February 1, 2024, Groningen, Netherlands
Eurosonic Noorderslag (ESNS), Europe's leading platform for emerging musical talent, has joined forces with Italia Music Export to designate Italy as the featured nation for its 2025 edition.
Each year, ESNS shines a spotlight on one European country, presenting its most promising emerging artists and celebrating the rich diversity of European music. The showcase festival has become an essential launching pad for new European acts. Artist applications for the upcoming edition will open May 1 through the official ESNS website.
Beginning today, a limited number of Delegate Passes for ESNS 2025 are available at special Super Early Bird pricing. Delegates gain access to the ESNS Conference and both the Eurosonic and Noorderslag festivals, with fast-track entry, exclusive networking spaces, hospitality options, the ESNS Delegates Database, and ESNS Analytics. The event takes place January 15-18, 2025 in Groningen, the Netherlands.
Spotlighting Italian Music
ESNS has established itself as a crucial catalyst for launching international careers of European artists, growing into the premier event where industry professionals and music enthusiasts discover emerging talent. The Focus on Italy program will present cutting-edge Italian acts on ESNS stages, connecting them with industry delegates, media representatives, and music lovers.
"Following years of dedicated work strengthening Italian music internationally, we're excited to lead at ESNS with an extraordinary wave of musicians and industry professionals. The Italian music sector has experienced remarkable economic and cultural expansion recently, and 2025 feels like the perfect moment to shine a light on our scene and deepen its global connections. There's tremendous growth potential ahead, and we're eager to take center stage at Eurosonic."
— Nur Al Habash, Italia Music Export
Robert Meijerink, ESNS Head of Programme, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: "We're delighted to welcome Italy as Focus Country for ESNS 2025's 39th edition. Italy boasts a remarkably rich musical heritage across various genres and currently has an exceptionally strong domestic market with growing international focus. We're looking forward to showcasing Italy's best up-and-coming artists and highlighting the ever-expanding live music scene, including its impressive network of venues and festivals."
Previously, Italian artists including Joycut, Lorenzo Senni, Meduza, Sans Soucis, and The Bloody Beetroots have performed at ESNS. In 2024, acts such as Colombre, Daniela Pes, Laura Masotto, Leatherette, Elasi, Psyché, Marta del Grandi, and Parbleu graced Eurosonic stages.
Partnership and Support
Focus on Italy at ESNS 2025 receives support from Italia Music Export, Emilia Romagna Music Commission, Ater Fondazione, Regione Puglia – Puglia Sounds, national European Broadcasting Union partner RAI Radio2, European Talent Exchange partner festivals including Apolide Festival, Home Festival, Linecheck Music Meeting & Festival, Sudwave Festival & Conference, and Ypsigrock Festival, along with ESNS.
Artist applications for all European acts will open May 1 via the official ESNS website.
Attend ESNS 2025 as a Delegate
Join ESNS 2025 as a delegate in January 2025 to connect with European music industry leaders, including representatives from Spotify, Universal Music, Google/YouTube, Live Nation, UTA, See Tickets, MIDiA Research, Pollstar, IQ, plus over one hundred European festivals and live music venues. Limited Super Early Bird Delegate Passes are now available at ESNS.nl
Delegate Pass Benefits:
- Complete access to ESNS Conference and both Eurosonic and Noorderslag festivals with priority entry
- Exclusive networking lounges and hospitality services
- ESNS Delegates Database access for pre-event networking
- ESNS Analytics with comprehensive data on artists from previous editions
ESNS 2025 runs January 15-18, 2025 in Groningen, the Netherlands.
About ESNS
ESNS (Eurosonic Noorderslag) is a nonprofit organization and independent platform committed to promoting and discovering emerging European and Dutch music. Established in 1986, ESNS hosts an annual four-day showcase festival and music conference across venues throughout Groningen, the Netherlands.
Discover the most compelling emerging European (Eurosonic) and Dutch (Noorderslag) acts spanning mainstream pop to progressive sounds during the festival, which serves as a springboard for leading European festivals. Gain insights into industry-leading topics and innovation during the conference, which charts a course toward a sustainable music industry future.
ESNS has proven essential for breaking new European acts into live music scenes across Europe and beyond. Since its 1986 launch, the showcase festival has built an impressive track record of launching international careers for artists including Altin Gün, Alina Pash, Arlo Parks, Baby Volcano, Deki Alem, Dua Lipa, Fontaines D.C., girl in red, Hania Rani, The Haunted Youth, July Jones, Meduza, Priya Ragu, Pongo, Queralt Lahoz, Sigrid, Tramhaus, Trupa Trupa, and Wet Leg.
ESNS 2025 takes place January 15-18, 2025 in Groningen, the Netherlands.
Press Information
Press accreditation is required to attend the festival. Complete information on obtaining accreditation for both the festival and conference is available through the ESNS online press center.
Additional Information & Downloads:
High-resolution photos from ESNS 2024 – download here
ESNS logo and images – download here
