Eurosonic Noorderslag (ESNS) is a non-profit, European artist only, 100% showcase festival and music conference. Selling out each year ESNS attracts over 4,000 professional delegates, including 400 international festivals, and showcases around 350 European artists for over 40,000 visitors total.

By day, an international music conference takes place in the conference centre, De Oosterpoort, with 150 panels, keynotes, interviews, workshops, dinners, pitches, parties, presentations and meetings on the latest developments in the European and international music, media, production and interactive industry. 

By night, during the two showcase festivals (Eurosonic and Noorderslag), musical talent has the chance to present itself to an international audience of music lovers and professionals. Eurosonic is the stepping stone for European acts, taking place in 40 different locations throughout the city centre of Groningen from Wednesday till Friday. Noorderslag presents the best Dutch music and takes place in concert venue De Oosterpoort in Groningen on Saturday.

ESNS has a proven track record for helping break new acts on the international live music scene. The showcase event has been responsible for kickstarting the international careers of artists such as Shame, Her, Alma, Roosevelt, Aurora, Dua Lipa and many more. This is not only done by offering these acts a stage during ESNS, but also by supporting them after the event by way of the ESNS Exchange.