GRONINGEN, NL (VIP-NEWS) — In cooperation with Pohoda Festival CEO Michal Kaščák and Márton Náray, Director of Sound Czech / Czech Music Office, ESNS (Eurosonic Noorderslag) announced its first ever dual-country focus on the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 2019.
Every year ESNS highlights the very best emerging acts from a different country, showcasing the diversity of musical talent across Europe.
ESNS booker Robert Meijerink comments, “We are keen to showcase the unique, high-quality music from these two neighbors. Although two of the youngest countries in Europe, they both have diverse and growing music scenes, a great history and lots of amazing music to be discovered.”
Coordinator of the ESNS conference Ruud Berends is particularly excited to focus on these two countries, both from an historic perspective and because this focus is in many ways the culmination of what ESNS achieved with its partners and friends in the former CEE countries between 2011 and 2016 through the CEETEP programme. “I am confident that this will be a remarkable focus, especially with CR / Radio Wave and Radio_FM, Sound Czech / Czech Music Office and the ETEP festivals Colours of Ostrava, Metronome Festival, Rock for People, United Islands of Prague (Czech Republic) and Pohoda (Slovakia) on board.”
Director of the Czech Sound music office Márton Náray comments that the music scene in the Czech Republic has grown tremendously over the past five to ten years, with over 500 summer festivals, a booming club scene and dozens of great upcoming musical talents. “We are excited about the opportunity to show European professionals how much we have to offer. I think it is the perfect moment to do that.”
CEO and booker of Pohoda Festival Michal Kaščák adds that this opportunity is perfectly timed. “It is great to be a music fan in Slovakia. The whole world knows Metallica, PJ Harvey and The Sex Pistols. And we are lucky enough to know Čad, Jana Kirschner and The Wilderness. But don’t worry – thanks to the Czech-Slovakian focus at ESNS 2019, we will be sharing our hidden treasures with music lovers around the world. They deserve it!”
Acts wishing to play ESNS 2019 will be able to submit an online application for a showcase at the festival from May 1 until September 1, 2018.
Official numbers ESNS 2018
Total number of visitors: 40.288
Conference visitors: 4.092
Nationalities: 42
Acts: 352
Number of venues Eurosonic: 52
Number of venues Noorderslag: 10
Media & journalists: 479
EBU radio stations: 37
Live broadcasts from ESNS: 30 from 14 stations (a total of 41 hours)
International festivals: 420
ETEP festivals: 103
