Connecting the live music industry
ESNS Reveals First 40 Artists for 40th Anniversary Edition
September13
Eurosonic Noorderslag (ESNS) has announced the first wave of 40 acts set to perform at its 40th edition, taking place January 14–17, 2026, in Groningen, the Netherlands.
Of the announced artists, 36 were nominated by 32 European Broadcasting Union member stations, with Romania participating for the first time through Radio România Cultural.
The line-up spans 34 European countries and reflects the festival’s mission to showcase the diversity of Europe’s music scene.
Under the theme Europe Calling, ESNS 2026 shifts focus from individual country spotlights to a broader cultural movement, highlighting unity through music.
The first confirmed names include Léonie Pernet (FR), Elín Hall (IS), MOIO (IE), Coca Puma (IT), Katarsis (LT), Lenny Monsou and Hiqpy (NL), FIDJU KITXORA (PT), BIJI (SE), Nadia Kadek (GB-ENG), snuggle (DK), and Valeria Stoica (RO/MD).
Since its launch in 1986, ESNS has played a key role in the international careers of artists such as Dua Lipa, Sigrid, Altin Gün, and Fontaines D.C. The anniversary edition will continue its dual role as a showcase festival and conference, connecting emerging artists with audiences and industry professionals across Europe.
Anna van Nunen, Managing Director of ESNS, emphasises that the 40th anniversary edition is as much about the future as it is about the past. “Celebrating forty years is not just about looking back, but about strengthening our mission for the next decades: connecting European artists with audiences and industry professionals across borders. Europe Calling symbolises a shared heartbeat, music as a unifying force in a rapidly changing world.”
Robert Meijerink, Head of Programme and Booker at ESNS, underlines the diversity of this first announcement. “These 40 artists show the incredible creativity coming from all over Europe, from intimate songwriting to cutting-edge electronics and powerful live bands. They capture the energy and innovation that make ESNS a unique meeting place for music lovers and industry professionals.”
Pictured: Léonie Pernet
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