Artists showcased at Eurosonic Noorderslag (ESNS) automatically join European Talent Exchange (Exchange), one of the longest-running and most successful platforms of the European Union’s Creative Europe Programme. Coordinated by ESNS, the programme connects emerging artists with a network of around 130 partner festivals across Europe and beyond.
“ESNS has meant a great deal to our career. Suddenly, we’re appearing on posters for top festivals across Europe and having our busiest year ever. The hardest thing for an emerging artist is getting people to listen to your music just once. One listen can be enough to create a lifelong connection with your audience. Thanks to European Talent Exchange, I can offer that first listen to people all over Europe.” Jelle Denturck (Dressed Like Boys)
Following their breakthrough at ESNS26, artists are now firmly establishing themselves on the European festival circuit. The summer bookings of 2026 show how quickly emerging talent turns showcase performances into international touring opportunities. From Groningen to stages across Europe, Exchange continues to accelerate cross-border careers and increase the visibility of new European music. Among the artists translating their ESNS momentum into confirmed summer festival bookings across Europe are:
Madra Salach (Ireland) has confirmed 16 festival bookings, bringing their distinctive sound to stages across Europe, including festivals such as Beaches Brew (Italy), Haldern Pop Festival (Germany), Pinkpop (The Netherlands), and Roskilde Festival (Denmark), further expanding their growing international presence.
Joshua Idehen (Sweden) has secured 13 festival bookings, with performances at Colours of Ostrava (CZ), OFF Festival Katowice (Poland) and Das Fest (Germany) showcasing his genre-blurring and lyrically powerful live show.
Dove Ellis (Ireland) will play at 10 festivals, such as MS Dockville (Germany), Lowlands (The Netherlands) and Poplar Festival (Italy), bringing his distinctive blend of electronic pop and experimental soundscapes to wider audiences.
Florence Road (Ireland) has confirmed 10 bookings this year, bringing their vibrant, emotionally charged indie sound to festivals such as Primavera Sound (Spain), Rock Werchter (Belgium), Southside Festival (Germany) and Rock en Seine (France), continuing their rapid rise across major European stages.
Dressed Like Boys (Belgium) has confirmed 8 festival performances this year, including appearances at Into The Great Wide Open (The Netherlands), Immergut Festival (Germany) and Sziget (Hungary), further strengthening their position on the European circuit.
GANS (England, UK) was booked at 8 festival performances, bringing their raw, guitar-driven and high-energy sound to stages including Electric Castle (Romania), Frequency Festival (Austria), Les Eurockéennes de Belfort (France) and Ypsigrock Festival (Italy).
Other artists continuing to build strong international momentum this summer include Max Baby (France, 7 bookings), Camille Yembe (Belgium, 2 bookings), Man/Woman/Chainsaw (England, 6 bookings), Min Taka (Netherlands, 5 bookings), Hania Derej (Poland, 2 bookings), Elín Hall (Iceland, 4 bookings), GAIA BANFI (Italy, 4 bookings), FIDJU KITXORA (Portugal, 3 bookings), Mechatok (Germany, 3 bookings) and Jules War (Hungary, 2 bookings), further showcasing the diversity and growing international appeal of emerging European talent. The full and continuously updated list of confirmed shows can be found on Radar.
“We believe festivals are about discovering fresh new music and giving emerging artists the chance to connect with new audiences. Especially in the age of technology and AI, it is crucial to experience these artists live at the beginning of their careers. European Talent Exchange and Eurosonic Noorderslag help us identify some of the most promising acts and see them perform in person.” Filip Košťálek, Artistic Director of Colours of Ostrava
Festivals backing Europe’s next wave of talent
Across Europe, festivals continue to embrace emerging ESNS talent, confirming artists for their 2026 editions. Confirmations include Rock Werchter (Belgium, 7 bookings), Best Kept Secret (Netherlands, 6 bookings), Primavera Sound (Spain, 3 bookings), OFF Festival Katowice (Poland, 3 bookings), OpenAir St. Gallen (Switzerland, 3 bookings), and Electric Castle (Romania, 4 bookings), underscoring European festivals’ confidence in emerging talent and the role of Exchange in shaping the next generation of headliners. The full overview is available on ESNS Radar.
European Talent Exchange continues to thrive through close collaboration with YOUROPE, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), 31 media partners, 24 members and six associated partners, including 26 export offices. Artists from the United Kingdom are supported by PRS Foundation, while Swiss artists are included with support from Pro Helvetia and Swiss Music Export. With a network of around 130 partner festivals, the programme remains one of the strongest structural support systems for emerging European artists building international visibility.
