Emma Banks, Ramones producer Craig Leon and Sziget’s Tamás Kádár speaking at ESNS Conference 18 Nov 2025
ESNS (Eurosonic Noorderslag) announces a new wave of conference highlights for its 40th edition, taking place from January 14 to 17, 2026 in Groningen. None other than music agent and co-head of Global Touring at CAA, Emma Banks, producer Craig Leon, Sziget festival director Tamás Kádár and the Director-General of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), Noel Curran, are attending Europe’s largest music conference.
One hour with Emma Banks
Journalist Lisa Henderson (IQ) invites music agent and Co-Head of Global Touring at Creative Artists Agency (CAA) Emma Banks to the stage for an in-depth keynote conversation about her career, the music industry and the future of live music. Banks is one of the most influential figures in the global live music business. From her early days in London’s agency scene to leading one of the world’s most powerful touring divisions, she is shaping the touring landscape for some of the world’s biggest artists like Red Hot Chili Peppers, Katy Perry, Paramore and Florence & The Machine (to name but a few!).
From Ramones to the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Director of Sziget Festival Tamás Kádár will be attending the ESNS Conference to talk about the growing influence of large ownership structures across the festival scene. Private equity firms, corporate takeovers and big investment groups are increasingly shaping the future of live music. We’ve all heard the stories: artists refusing to play, the unease surrounding companies like KKR and festivals like Sziget forced to quit after acquisition when profit is not high enough. However Kádár is hopeful: “we are fighting for a new chapter of Sziget returning to its independent roots”.
Activism in music has taken centre stage over the past year and it’s a key theme at the conference in 2026. As the leading expert on polarisation, Bart Brandsma (Inside Polarisation), will explore the correlation between activism and “us versus them” thinking. Understanding these dynamics and the role that activism plays in today’s cultural landscape can lead to more thoughtful conversations and choices about how actively you want to engage.
Located at the heart of the ESNS Conference, House of Europe is the place where different cultures meet and collaborate. European music export offices will bring flavour to the programming, showcasing the best from their regions — from local talent to culinary delights and cultural traditions. European Music Exporters Exchange (EMEE) hosts a session about building bridges through music export and exchange, invitation only.
Bulgarian Music Association, EU NextGeneration and Recovery and Resilience Plan Bulgaria will also bring together artists, managers, festivals, and industry representatives to connect, exchange ideas, and explore opportunities. After the networking reception, prepare for something that can make some of you laugh, but many to cry; the Bulgarian pepper.
Bas Dokter (Agents After All), Barbara Vos (Barbara Vos), Bas van Wageningen (bassist DI-RECT), Ben Wynter (Unstoppable Music, Power Up), Brij Gosai (Pollstar), Canan Yurdakul (EBB Music), Claire O’Neill (A Greener Future), Dorian Perron (Groover), Dr Charisse Beaumont (Black Lives in Music), Dylan Heneck (SubmitHub), Eric Skunck (YouTube), Ernst-Jan Pfauth (journalist, schrijver & media pionier), Froukje (artist), Kevin Cole (KEXP), Koos Zwaan (Inholland University of Applied Sciences), Lesley Grieten (Concert at SEA), Ognjen Tomašević (EXIT Festival), Paulina Parvanov (Austrian Music Export), Peter Verkennis (Stichting Bospop), Roisin O’Connor (The Independent), Ruth Barlow (Beggars Group), Saskhia Menendez (Sassy Records LTD), Tim van der Zalm (Labeltje Labeltje), Tirsa Creusen (Pinkpop), Vasil Gjuroski (Tromsø World).
Delegate Passes for ESNS26 are now available at a Late rate at ESNS.nl - Rates will go up soon. Purchase a Delegate Pass
-Fast-lane access to 250+ showcases
-Full access to the ESNS Conference
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THE HEADLINES
Universal's bid for Downtown is set to be hit by a formal warning from European Union watchdogs (see Business)
Reselling tickets for profit to be outlawed in UK government crackdown (see News)
Some answers to Haven's 'I Run' chart-excluded track (see News)
"Without competition, the free market becomes a monopoly" (see Opinion)
What are pop-up shows teaching us about building fandom in 2025? (see Analysis)
How much AI will audiences accept in music and movies? (see Analysis)
Stars urge Kier Starmer to tackle ‘pernicious’ ticket tout websites (see News)
Report reveals UK music industry contributes record £8bn to UK economy. (see Reports)
Deezer publishes survey on AI music (see Reports)
Songs are going viral faster than ever — but fewer are becoming streaming hits (see Analysis)
The music we should save is the music AI needs the most (see Comment)
The Council Of Music Makers: Put music-makers first in AI deals (see News)
The future of music marketing is no marketing at all (see Features)