2026’s edition of ESNS (Eurosonic Noorderslag) is easily one of the most anticipated in years – and the European music community is showing out for this bumper get-together.
Held in Groningen, Netherlands next week (Jan. 14-17), the historic festival will honor its 40th anniversary having grown from a battle of the bands-style event for Dutch acts into a key part of European music’s calendar. Every January, representatives from across the music industry – labels, associations, streamers, live agents and more – congregate to share ideas and forecast the trends and issues that will dominate the region’s music scene in the months to come.
With several celebrations planned to honor that anniversary, ESNS remains fiercely committed to assessing the here and now. Much of the festival’s conference programming will reflect on Europe’s position in the global music market – and what more can be done. A number of key artists from across the continent – from the U.K.’s Olivia Dean to Catalonia’s Rosalía – have shown that global stars are made and nurtured here.
Statistics indicate that Europe faces stiff competition from Latin America and Southeast Asia to retain its place as the second-biggest music market (after North America), but that the local industry appears up for the challenge. The current geopolitical status with war on its eastern front in Ukraine — and President Donald Trump’s bullying tactics threatening to start a second one — also looms heavy over any discussions.
Emerging artists from a wide range of European nations will also play a key role. It’s at ESNS that they perform in front of bookers and talent agents that shape the summer’s upcoming festival bills across the country, and showcase a diversity of talent and cultures. These are the stories to look out for.
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40th anniversary celebrations
Eurosonic Noorderslag will honor its 40th anniversary at its 2026 edition with a series of celebrations and installations across the city. A photographic exhibition titled Then and Now will revisit some of the previous artists to perform at the festival during its history (The White Stripes, Fontaines D.C., and Robyn, to name a few). Popwalk – a bilingual QR-guided “podwalk” through the city – will reflect on the city’s heritage as a musical hub, with nods to The Cure, David Bowie and The Rolling Stones, which all have ties to the popular student town. – THOMAS SMITH
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The rise of indie’s new guard
With only five songs to their name so far, heading down to Keo’s set will require a leap of faith from any curious punter’s end – but we can assure you it will be worth it. The four-piece are one of the most in-demand new acts on the U.K. live circuit, having already booked some key festival slots for 2026, including a headline show at Liverpool’s Sound City in May. Similarly to their Irish contemporaries Basht., also appearing at ESNS, the band have accrued a Gen Z fanbase in thrall to melodic guitar anthems filled with galaxies of emotion. Catch both acts before they hit the big time this summer. – SOPHIE WILLIAMS
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Cross-border co-operation is proving more crucial than ever
The festival’s House of Europe theme could not be more acutely timed as Trump’s threat of annexation of Greenland (a self-governing territory of EU nation Denmark) — and on its eastern front, the war in Ukraine — rumbles on. To show a united front and the positives of cross-border collaboration between different nations will benefit all at once, the festival hopes.
A range of programming which connects local export offices, and highlights emerging artists with unique regional cultures will hopefully pay dividends in the years to come. Solidarity, Unity and Cooperation: festivals fighting for survival, which features Dusan Kovacevic, chief executive of Serbian festival EXIT, is set to be a highlight, and will assess how festivals can withstand intense political pressures to host events under autocratic regimes. – T.S.
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Dove Ellis kicks off a storming 2026
Released at the tail end of last year, Dove Ellis’ transcendent debut LP Blizzard became an instant hit with critics in the U.K. and Ireland, who revered the 26-year-old for his sumptuous, richly detailed take on indie balladry. Ellis, who swerves press and radio opportunities to maintain a level of anonymity, is yet to play many headline shows or festivals, with ESNS marking his first gig of 2026. A recent US tour support slot for white-hot rockers Geese saw Ellis raise his live profile and earn a slew of new fans; with some serious momentum behind him, who knows where the next 12 months will take him. – S.W.
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Top executives to give crucial insights
You’d think that an event in mid-January would turn high-level executives off, but ESNS often pulls a starry array of delegates and speakers. 2026 is no different: Emma Banks, co-head of global touring at CAA, will appear in a keynote conversation with IQ Magazine’s Lisa Henderson; Simon Raymonde, managing director of Bella Union (and former Cocteau Twins member), will take part in a panel on indie music in the global music scene; and Noel Curran, the European Broadcasting Union’s director general, will speak on the role of public service broadcasting in a world of AI. Representatives from WME, TikTok, IMPALA, and more will appear throughout the week (as will Billboard U.K. staffers Thomas Smith and Sophie Williams). – T.S.
