ESNS Announces First Speakers for 2027 Conference Programme

Artists, executives, policymakers and innovators from across Europe and beyond will make up the speakers for the Eurosonic Noorderslag (ESNS) conference in Ireland in 2027.

Among the Irish guests confirmed is Kneecap manager Dan Lambert who will unpack what it takes to break a band out of Ireland and achieve international success.

A panel will include Angela Dorgan of First Music Contact discussing how Irish artists are supported through strategic state investment, such as a basic income for artists. The conversation will explore how this support has helped shape the success of Ireland’s music sector.

Eleanor McGuinness (agent at Earth Agency), Will Rolfe (co-founder and booker All Together Now and In The Meadows) and Declan Forde (co-founder Electric Picnic) will take part in a discussion on the independent side of Ireland’s live music market, exploring the festivals, events and key players shaping the sector today.

The programme will feature a keynote interview with Dutch guitarist Adrian Vandenberg and welcome FRÉ (Frederike Berendsen) and LORAL (Laura Overbeeke) of Music Declares Emergency Netherlands, who will present the workshop exploring ways music professionals can create meaningful change within the industry and beyond.

The Country Music Association (CMA) will present a panel discussion on the growth of country music in Europe, how U.S. artists are approaching the European market, and the opportunities for European acts in Nashville, featuring Sina Hall (Promoter of C2C Berlin), and Wouter de Wilde (Greenhouse Talent).

As streaming platforms and algorithms continue to shape listening habits, discoverability has become one of the music industry’s key challenges.

A panel debate on the recently published European Commission study Discoverability of Diverse European Cultural Content in the Digital Environment will see the participation of Martin Clarke, Project Manager at Panteia and research lead of this study.

During ESNS, Clarke will present the findings of the highly anticipated Discoverability Report in a discussion with policymakers, researchers, and music industry professionals from across Europe.

For information go to esns.nl.

ESNS Announces First Speakers for 2027 Conference Programme