How it all started:

At the EBU, we spend a lot of time talking about music crossing borders and Eurosonic Noorderslag is one of the places we can actually see it happen. What started in 1986 as a solely Dutch music festival has become the standard for discovering new European artists, became something truly European. The EBU has partnered with the festival since 1999, and I joined the adventure a few years later, in 2002. Over the years, I’ve become what I like to call “Mr Facilitator”. My job is to make sure everything runs smoothly, that the right people are connected, and that everyone genuinely feels part of something bigger.

36 bands and 32 radio stations… no pressure!

And that doesn’t come without its challenges. This year, we have 36 EBU acts and 32 radio stations on board. Every one of those stations needs to record performances, which means making sure the technical infrastructure is rock solid. From a purely technical perspective, it’s no small feat. Imagine 36 bands spread across multiple venues, all playing at different times… It easily becomes a logistical headache.

But it’s well worth it! Because what you get in return is witnessing the very early moments of bands who might just make it big. You feel the power of international cooperation, and the true European spirit of the festival. Artists travelling from all corners of Europe, all coming together in one place. It’s a perfect recipe for a very special atmosphere.

Public service media liked it before it was cool.

The importance of public service media in supporting emerging artists really cannot be overstated. Public service radio, in particular, is willing to invest the time, energy, and resources required to nurture lesser-known musicians, rather than relying solely on established names to attract audiences. Without public service broadcasters, many of these artists simply wouldn’t get the exposure they deserve.

ESNS is fundamentally about European music. For decades, popular music was largely dominated by the US and the UK. And while still hugely important, the past 25 years have shown us something else: great music comes from everywhere. Public service media plays a key role in creating that awareness, and in giving European artists the platform to be heard outside of their own countries.

Favourite act?

If I had to pick one moment, it would probably be 2003, when I saw Franz Ferdinand. They had just emerged and weren’t widely known yet, but there was a real buzz. You could feel it in the room. People looked at each other thinking, this is it. And, of course, they went on to enjoy huge success.

Future stars spotted!

Every year, there are a handful of artists where you just know: this one is going somewhere. The last band that really stood out to me in that way was Fontaines D.C. in 2019. ESNS was their first show outside their home country. They played a small venue in Groningen, but that buzz was there again. This year, there is one Irish musician who I believe is going to be someone to watch and he's called Dove Ellis. Sometimes I’m completely wrong but I think he could be one of the discoveries.

What are we listening to this year?

This week marks a first for the festival: it will be officially opened by the Queen of the Netherlands. Which means I’ll be standing in the same room as the Queen, fully aware that some of the acts performing later that evening will drop several swear words and less-than-polite lyrics! It's just shows how open the festival is.

A trend I’ve seen in recent years has been the broadening of the musical styles and that’s only going to continue. The lines between genres are being blurred. People have more diverse tastes and are open to listening to very different sounds, and that’s clearly reflected in the ESNS lineup.

And yes, for anyone who already wants a taste: we’ve got a Spotify playlist.

Interested in learning more about the Eurosonic festival? You can start here.