More than 100 emerging artists added to ESNS 40th edition line up

ESNS (Eurosonic Noorderslag) announces a major batch of 110 acts from all over Europe. The music showcase festival celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2026, taking place from January 14 to 17 in Groningen. The big line-up expansion brings the number of confirmed emerging artists to 218 for Eurosonic and Noorderslag. The selection represents 36 countries, spanning a range of genres from niche to popular. Discover the line-up via the ESNS playlists or browse esns.nl by country or genre. More acts will be revealed in the coming weeks.

The newly confirmed acts are: Abel Ghekiere (be), Aktiv Dödshjelp (no), Alex Fernet (it), AlexAbril (es), Amanda Mur (es), Ana De Llor (pt), Ão (be), Bana Zahiti (ks), Basht. (ie), Beaks (at), Blair Davie (uk-sco), Brass Rave Unit (nl), Bucket (ie), BUG (nl), chest. (fr), Chibi Ichigo (be), Cinnamon Gum (pl), Clara Kimera (fr), CLARAGUILAR (es), Cordelia (uk-eng), Curtisy (ie), daoud (fr), DIKKE (be), Dressed Like Boys (be), Eileen Alister (ch), Eilis Frawley (de), Emile Londonien (fr), Etta Marcus (uk-eng), EVEPOL (ro), Evita Polidoro (it), Filiah (at), Flora Hibberd (fr), Gabi Hartmann (fr), Gaia Banfi (it), Gaia Rollo (it), GANNA (ua), Gros Coeur (be), Hania Derej (pl), Heath (nl), Hér (pl), Hetta Falzon (uk-eng), Hyphen Dash (ua), Il Mago Del Gelato (it), Inspector Spacetime (is), ISHA (nl), IZABEL (bg), Josh Island (lu), Jules War (hu), Julie Rains (be), KABOUTERTJE PUTLUCHT (nl), Keo (uk-eng), Kodaclips (it), Kombynat Robotron (de), Kordz (ge), KuleeAngee (uk-sco), L.A. Sagne (nl), La Cendejas (es), La Valentina (fr), Laura Agnusdei (it), Leona Jacewska (pl), Les Imprimés (no), LuxJury (at), Majke Voss (dk), Maria Iskariot (be), Min Taka (nl), Muovipussi (fi), mustbejohn (uk-eng), Naarly (se), naya mö (fr), néomí (nl), Neon Lies (hr), Nightbus (uk-eng), Officer John (ie), Omar Dahl (be), Otis Mensah (de), Parker Fans (nl), PISTAMASHINA (bg), Pitou (nl), Plantoid (uk-eng), Pridian (ee), punktò (lt), RABO (no), Ragnar Finsson (fo), Roomer (de), Roufaida (nl), ROYA (dk), SERVO (fr), SexyTadgh (ie), Silvurdrongur (fo), Sink (it), Slate (uk-wal), Solventis (fr), Sunflowers (pt), Swank Mami (no), The Family Men (se), The New Eves (uk-eng), The Null Club (ie), Them Flying Monkeys (pt), Tiago Caetano (fr), tonser (dk), Tracy De Sá (fr), Verde Prato (es), Vojdi (sk), Wesley Joseph (uk-eng), Why Kai (no), Willow Parlo (de), Xenia (es), Yalla Miku (ch), Yong Yello (be) and Yuraa (es). See all acts here: https://esns.nl/en/festival/artists/

Europe Calling: For our industry. For our culture. For our future

In recent years, ESNS has highlighted individual countries as a focus, but with its new Europe Calling manifesto, the focus shifts to a shared cultural movement. Under this theme, ESNS26 presents a fresh mix of Europe’s most exciting emerging artists. All confirmed artists reflect Europe’s diversity, covering a wide range of genres, languages and cultural roots, from the Arctic North to the Mediterranean and from Central Europe to the vibrant sounds of Eastern Europe. The line-up reflects the full scope of Europe’s thriving music scene.

In a world marked by geopolitical tensions, cultural fragmentation and rapid industry shifts, Eurosonic Noorderslag (ESNS) will celebrate its 40th anniversary in January 2026 and responds with a strong, unifying theme: Europe Calling.

For four decades, ESNS has been Europe’s leading showcase festival and conference for emerging talent, helping to launch the careers of artists such as Dua Lipa, Stromae and Robyn. As the European music sector stands at an important crossroads, the 40th anniversary will not just celebrate the past, but also bring the music sector together to build a shared European future.

"For years, shining a light on individual countries has helped us celebrate Europe’s rich diversity, but the challenges we face today demand more," says Anna van Nunen, Managing Director of ESNS. "Now is the time to bring those voices together and build an even stronger, connected European music community. Europe Calling is about more than identity, it’s about taking responsibility for our shared future. Music can bring us together. It’s time to make that connection louder than ever."

A celebration of 40 years of European music

In addition to showcasing hundreds of Europe’s most urgent emerging artists, ESNS26 will proudly celebrate its 40-year anniversary. Expect curated archival deep-dives, exclusive collaborations with media partners, pop-up activations and unique anniversary events that will highlight success stories of artists who started on ESNS stages and went on to shape European music.

These stories will unfold both in the city of Groningen and across digital platforms, making the rich legacy and ongoing impact of European music visible, accessible and celebrated across the continent.

Join ESNS in Groningen from January 14 to January 17, 2026, as we celebrate 40 years of groundbreaking European music and shape the next chapter together. You can get your ESNS26 Delegate Pass here.

ESNS26 Tickets

Tickets for ESNS26 are now available Purchase a Delegate Pass (at a Late rate - rates will go up soon) or a Eurosonic Noorderslag Festival Ticket.

ESNS Delegate Passes include: Fast-lane access to 250 showcases Full access to the ESNS Conference Networking lounges and hospitality options Access the ESNS Delegates Database Access ESNS Analytics for up-to-date artist data

About ESNS

ESNS is Europe’s leading platform showcasing emerging European music talent. Every January, Groningen (NL) hosts the ESNS festival and conference, connecting fresh artists with fans and industry professionals.

Year-round, ESNS supports new talent through initiatives like the European Talent Exchange and presents major awards including the Music Moves Europe Awards, the European Festival Awards, and the Dutch Popprijs. It partners with key projects and alliances such as Yourope, EBU and Green Deal Circular Festivals to foster a diverse, sustainable music scene.

Since 1986, ESNS has helped launch careers of artists like AURORA, Stromae, Christine and the Queens, Fontaines D.C., Altin Gün, The Haunted Youth, girl in red, Lykke Li, Joost, The XX, Robyn, Tramhaus, Hozier, Zaho de Sagazan, Judeline, Luvcat, Boko Yout, Kingfishr, Sylvie Kreusch and Arp Frique & The Perpetual Singers.