The emerging talent programme, from European showcase festival and conference ESNS (Eurosonic Noorderslag), turned 20 this year.
Formerly known as the European Talent Exchange Programme – or ETEP – the initiative was initially conceived in efforts to spotlight European artists and music, and help musicians get their starts at festivals – push forwards with their careers. The project comes courtesy of Dutch festival ESNS, which will host its next edition in January.
The likes of Mahalia, Fontaines D.C., The XX, Black Midi, Flohio and Dua Lipa – along with Kae Tempest, Mura Masa, IDLES and more – are among the artists supported by the festival and its programme over the years. Elsewhere, Marina Herlop – who we recently spotlighted as an artist who has defined the year, and ranked among our best albums of 2022 and 2023 – also features. In our year-end profile, Herlop spoke of her time on the road, stating: “It’s my second year touring, and I finally feel like, ‘OK, I’m running this project!'”
As part of its anniversary celebrations, the project has shared an extensive archive from the past 20 years, detailing past bookings and the network of festivals involved in the ESNS Exchange. In 2023, the programme supported over 140 emerging artists at over 90 festivals across 36 countries, with over 340 shows facilitated. The likes of The Haunted Youth, The Mary Wallopers, Uche Yara, Deki Alem and Avalance Kaito were among the programme’s most booked acts this year, with Belgium band The Haunted Youth playing at events such as Lowlands, Pinkpop, Montreux Jazz Festival and Release Athens Festival.
The 2024 edition of ESNS returns to Groningen, the Netherlands, from 17–20 January. The likes of yunè pinku, Lynks, CMAT, Eddington Again, Shapednoise, Noor, CHARLOT and more have been confirmed for the event, which will celebrate the 20th anniversary of ESNS Exchange.
Tickets are on sale now. Head to the festival’s website for further information and check out the ESNS Radar here.
View this post on Instagram
