Each January, Eurosonic Noorderslag (ESNS) showcases 350 emerging European artists to over 40,000 visitors. The festival and conference attract over 4,000 music industry professionals, including 400 international festivals. By day, the front-running conference hosts over 150 panel discussions, interviews, keynotes and more that take on urgent subjects and the need for social change in the music industry. By night, European acts perform across 40 locations in the heart of Groningen from Wednesday to Friday, and Saturday presents upcoming Dutch artists in the concert venue De Oosterpoort. This year, Austrian acts Beaks, Filiah, Sofie Royer, Abor & Tynna, Sodl, and LuxJury have been selected to play the stages of ESNS 2026 between Jan. 14-17 in Groningen! Moreover, Austrian Music Export will once again host an Austrian Heartbeats Networking Lunch at ESNS – happening Jan. 16th at 12pm – and you’re invited! For more info and registration details, scroll down.
Beaks
The music project of Anna Francesca, Beaks turns her background in poetry into minimalistic, dreamy songs with introspective lyrics that float between reality and daydream.
Performance Times:
Fri 16 JAN – H.N. Werkman Stadslyceum – 22:10-22:50
Fri 16 JAN – Platosonic – 12:00-19:00 (Platosonic Friday)
Filiah
An indie-folk singer-songwriter whose delicate arrangements and storytelling blend “indie folk with a glittery sparkle of pop,” inspired by artists like Maggie Rogers and Orla Gartland.
Performance Times:
Thu 15 JAN – Forum Expo- 19:50-20:30
Thu 15 JAN – Platosonic Bagels & Beans- 12:30-19:00
Abor & Tynna
A sibling duo from Vienna whose electro-pop sound combines mischievous disco with sharp-edged lyrics; their work reflects a Gen-Z sensibility and they recently released their debut album Bittersüß.
Performance Time: Thu 15 JAN – Huize Maas – 20:10-20:50
Sofie Royer
Sofie Royer is an Austrian-Iranian multi-instrumentalist, producer, and classically trained violinist whose 2024 album Young-Girl Forever on Stones Throw earned widespread praise. This year she is nominated for the Music Makes Europe Awards to be presented at ESNS 2026.
Performance Time: Thu 15 JAN – Machinefabriek – 22:50-23:30
Sodl
A singer whose emotionally charged indie-rock is framed by guitar, piano, and accordion; her self-produced debut Sheepman balances fairytale escapism with confrontational honesty.
Performance Time: Fri 16 JAN – Huize Maas- 19:30-20:10
LuxJury
Drawing on influences from George Michael to Angel Olsen, LuxJury crafts intimate guitar-based pop/rock with soul-baring lyrics; her EP Giving Up evolved into a full album thanks to the support of Bella Union.
Performance Times:
Fri 16 JAN – A-Theater – 20:20-21:00
Fri 16 JAN – Camera – 17:30-19:30 (Bella Union Extra)
Austrian Heartbeats Networking Lunch @ ESNS 2026
Once again, Austrian Music Export will host a networking event at ESNS on January 16th at 12pm, and you’re invited!
Apply here to participate in the first official Austrian Heartbeats ESNS Networking Lunch. All applicants will be informed by 12 January 2026 whether they have been selected to join the Austrian delegation in Groningen. The networking lunch will take place on Friday, 16 January 2026, from 12:00 to 13:00, in the bar area of Poortershoes (Oosterweg 13, 9724 CA Groningen, Netherlands) — just 300 meters from the main ESNS conference venue, De Oosterpoort.
About ESNS
ESNS (Eurosonic Noorderslag) is a non-profit organisation and independent platform dedicated to the promotion and discovery of new European and Dutch music.
ESNS has proven essential in breaking new European acts into live music scenes throughout Europe and beyond. Launched in 1986, the showcase festival has an impressive history and proven track record of kickstarting the international careers of artists like Altin Gün, Alina Pash, Arlo Parks, Deki Alem, Dua Lipa, Fontaines D.C., girl in red, Hania Rani, The Haunted Youth, July Jones, Meduza, Priya Ragu, Pip Blom, Pongo, Queralt Lahoz, Sans Soucis, Sigrid, Trupa Trupa and Wet Leg.
Founded in 1986, ESNS hosts an annual four-day showcase festival and music conference across venues in Groningen, the Netherlands. Uncover the most enthralling emerging European (Eurosonic) and Dutch (Noorderslag) acts ranging from mainstream pop to progressive finds during the festival, which sets the stage for leading European festivals. Expand your knowledge of industry-leading topics and innovation during the conference, geared at trailblazing the music industry towards a sustainable future.
Exact dates and times of the concerts will be posted here as soon as they are announced. Check out the full line-up and all the Austrian acts here and see you in Groningen in the new year!
