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 Bon Jour, Gardens, Kässy, Lucy Dreams, Lukas Oscar and UCHE YARA have been selected to play the stages of ESNS 2025 between Jan. 15-17 in Groningen!
Next to providing a stage for new music, ESNS supports artists by organising the talent development program ESNS Exchange. To celebrate the diversity and ambition of European and Dutch music, the festival also grants several prestigious awards, including the Music Moves Europe Award, European Festival Award and the Popprijs. Both independently and in impactful partnerships, the organisation has founded and supports numerous initiatives, including Yourope, European Broadcasting Union (EBU), Keychange, Take a Stand and Green Deal Circular Festivals. In 2019, ESNS and EBU celebrated the 20th anniversary of their partnership. EBU Eurosonic group includes over 30 radio public broadcasters who share highlighted artists from their home countries.
Austrian Artists at ESNS 2025
Bon Jour
The rapid rise of supergroup Bon Jour makes them one of the “most exciting music projects in Austria” (FM4). With performances as support for Alt-J, number 1 in the FM4 charts, sold-out shows at the Gasometer Vienna, and the use of AI, the avant-gardists are setting standards. The use of AI emphasises their avant-garde approach. Bon Jour originally are 7 musicians, from renowned bands like Makemakes, Mynth, Olympique and Good Wilson – who also perform with only 4 musicians on stage.
Bon Jour at ESNS25 – Thursday, 16 January 2025 – Wenutbutter – 22.20-23:00
Gardens
On ‘Talk’, the Viennese band GARDENS sings about situationships – the spring harbinger whets the appetite for the band’s debut album, out November 1st. The four-piece is reminiscent of indie greats like Big Thief or Courtney Barnett, with an 80s bass sound, crisp drums and haunting vocals – in combination with spherical, at times rootsy guitar and dreamy synth riffs with the courage to be dissonant. And there’s much more to come on the album, kicked off by the seductive, laidback title track ‘Flaws’.
Gardens at ESNS25 – Friday, 17 January 2025 – All Round Poolcentrum – 21:10-21:50
Kässy
Straight out of high school, Viennese musician Katrin Paucz jumped in head first, going on tour as a live guitarist for Oehl. In 2022 Katrin left and became a member of the live band for Bilderbuch. At only 23 years-old, she had played countless international tours and festivals and went solo, playing her first shows as KÄSSY in March 2024, supporting Bilderbuch throughout Europe. Self-taught in almost all aspects of her craft, KÄSSY’s electronic pop switches easily from eclectic mania to intense emotion.
Kässy at ESNS25 – Wednesday, 15 January 2025 – Kelder – 22:00-22:40
Lucy Dreams
Lucy Dreams pioneers ‘SonicWaveArtPop’, blending human expression with technological innovation. Their latest singles challenge norms, merging analog and digital artistry, where members Zero and One, alongside their creation, Lucy, redefine pop with a sound that pushes past conventional limits. With international acclaim and a transatlantic tour underway, Lucy Dreams sets the stage for a new era of pop music, celebrating harmony between creativity and technology.
Lucy Dreams at ESNS25 – Thursday, 16 January 2025 – Simplon UP – 00:50-01:30
Lukas Oscar
Lukas Oscar is a young, talented, up-and-coming singer-songwriter and producer with Filipino roots living in Vienna. This gifted singer mesmerizes and hypnotizes with his soothing, melancholic voice, and is also a talented songwriter and pianist who has been playing since he was 6 years old. His debut album The Fun Never Ends!, delves deep into the unspoken thoughts and concealed emotions that often go unacknowledged. This album aspires to be a ‘playground’, where every sentiment finds a safe haven.
Lukas Oscar at ESNS25 – Friday, 17 January 2025 – USVA – 23:00-23:40
UCHE YARA
UCHE YARA is a 21-year-old artist with Nigerian roots, who grew up in Austria and is now living in Berlin. Her profound songwriting and multi-instrumental skills, plus an energetic live presence with her band kickstarted the rapidly growing hype. Discovered by artists such as Marc Rebillet, Bilderbuch and Parcels, she started touring the first day after she graduated from school. Before her first single release, she already opened for The Rolling Stones with Bilderbuch. Her long-awaited debut EP Golden Days was released in May 2024. UCHE YARA is nominated for the Music Moves Europe Awards 2025.
UCHE YARA at ESNS25 – Thursday, 16 January 2025 – Stadsschouwburg – 19:40-20:20
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.
Check out the full line-up here and see you in Groningen in the new year!