Europe Calling: these 40 artists are coming to ESNS26

For decades, ESNS (Eurosonic Noorderslag) has been bringing promising artists to the far north of the Netherlands. The organisers give artists from the Netherlands and Europe their well-deserved stage. It’s no wonder the event is known as Europe’s leading showcase festival and music conference. For its fortieth anniversary, ESNS announced the first forty artists today.

Europe Calling

While ESNS has consistently put a single country in the spotlight in recent years by designating it as a focus country, this year, they’re taking a different approach with Europe Calling. No longer spotlighting individual countries, but rather the whole of Europe. Especially in a time of rising geopolitical tensions, the call for European unity must resonate more strongly than ever. Under this theme, ESNS presents a new generation of Europe’s most promising artists.

These are the first forty announced artists, in alphabetical order:

• Abor & Tynna (DE, ARD)
• Becky Sikasa (UK Scotland, BBC Introducing)
• Benni (BE, RTBF TIPIK)
• BIJI (SE, SR P3)
• Carpetman (UA, NORADIOSTATION)
• Coca Puma (IT, RAI Radio 2)
• DasRADIAL (LU, LUERSL 100.7)
• Della (CY, NORADIOSTATION)
• Elín Hall (IS, RUV RAS2)
• FIDJU KITXORA (PT, Antena 3)
• Hiqpy (NL, NPO 3FM)
• Ise (BE, VRT Studio Brussel)
• Jazzbois (HU, NORADIOSTATION)
• Kaat Van Stralen (BE, VRT Studio Brussel)
• Katarsis (LT, LRT Opus)
• Ki Klop (HR, HRT HR1)
• Léonie Pernet (FR, FIP Radio France)
• Lenny Monsou (NL, NPO 3FM)
• Linda Elys (CH, SRF3)
• Llum (ES, iCat)
• Madhouse Express (CZ, CR Radio Wave)
• mariin k. (EE, ERR Radio 2)
• Mattiu (CH, RTR)
• Maustetytöt (FI, YLE X)
• Me and My Devil (BG, BNR)
• Mortòri (CH, RSI Rete3)
• MOIO (IE, RTE 2FM)
• Muryel (DE, ARD)
• Nadia Kadek (UK England, BBC Introducing)
• Nejc Pipp & Co. (SI, RTVSLO Val202)
• Omasta (PL, NORADIOSTATION)
• snuggle (DK, DR P6 Beat)
• Sodl (AT, ORF FM4)
• the clumps (NO, NRK P3)
• Tolstoys (SK/DE, Radio_FM)
• Turbo Trans Turisti (RS, RTS Radio Belgrade One)
• Valeria Stoica (RO/MD, Radio România Cultural)
• Xcellence (GR, ERT Kosmos)
• Yoa (CH, COULEUR 3)
• ZeMe (LV, LATVIJAS RADIO 5)

Stay tuned to ESNS.nl for more announcements.

“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.”

Robert Meijerink, head of program and booker at ESNS

40 years of Eurosonic Noorderslag

Despite its rich history to look back on, ESNS believes looking ahead is just as important. For this anniversary edition, ESNS continues to look ahead. They continue to offer a platform to the next generation of European artists with the potential to break through globally. Artists like Altin Gün, Dua Lipa, and Fontaines D.C., as well as Kingfishr, Sigrid, and Zaho de Sagazan, have all preceded them.

“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.”

Anna van Nunen, managing director of ESNS

ESNS26: dates and Delegate Passes

Mark these dates in your calendars, because from January 14th to 17th, 2026, music lovers and music professionals can discover their new favourite artists in Groningen. Regular ticket sales begin on Thursday, September 25th, 2025. Delegate Passes are available now at ESNS.nl for the Early Bird price, valid until September 25th.

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