Eurosonic Noorderslag (ESNS) will be digital only in 2022 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, it has been announced.

Set to take place between January 19th and 22nd, the Netherlands event is one of Europe's key new music showcases and arguably sets the tone for the year ahead. Fans had hoped to see ESNS physically return to the streets of Groningen this coming January.

Sadly, lockdown restrictions in the Netherlands mean that the in-person aspect of Eurosonic Noorderslag is impossible this time round.

Irish acts slated to perform are For Those I Love, Kynsy, Dea Matrona and CMAT. It remains the leading international platform for the European music sector, and recently announced the anticipated line-up for its January 2022 edition.

Other acts include Daði Freyr, Sylvie Kreusch, ascendant vierge, Froukje, Mimi Webb, Meskerem Mees, Yard Act, Wu-Lu and Travis Birds. The full line-up is available here.

Managing director Dago Houben released a statement yesterday on the news:

“ESNS is of great importance to the entire music industry and especially to European musicians. It is therefore essential to carry out our function of providing the best possible platform for European pop music. Earlier this year we saw that the reach of a digital edition can be huge and that we were able to make a difference to an artist's career. We are therefore pleased to give all booked ESNS artists the exposure they deserve with the help of our media partners.”

Unlike this year's virtual event, the upcoming showcase festival will take place physically.

Following the impact of the pandemic, the overall theme of ESNS 2022 is 'Building Back Better Together'.

Registration for ESNS 2022 is open now, via the ESNS website. There are a limited number of tickets available at the Early Bird rate of €275 (a discount of €150 on the walk-up rate of €450). Delegates who bought a ticket for the digital edition last year will receive a €50 discount, and tickets for Young Professionals (up to 28 years) are available for €225.

Visit esns.nl for more information.

🔔 ESNS 2022 update: Showcase festival and conference will take place entirely online.

For the full statement and more info about tickets head over to https://t.co/LAnHGJxJVS

— ESNS (@esns) December 2, 2021