Despite the many challenges of the pandemic, these past few years have been remarkable ones for Irish music – with bold, genre-blending artists emerging across the country, and finding new, innovative ways to make their mark. This week, from January 18-21, a selection of those acts are set to bring their talents to ESNS (Eurosonic Noorderslag) in Groningen, the Netherlands, alongside some of the most hotly tipped emerging artists in Europe.

2023 marks the long awaited in-person return of the renowned showcase festival, following virtual editions over the course of the pandemic. In many respects, this year’s ESNS will feel like a light at the end of the tunnel for musicians and music industry professionals, as they once again hit the streets and venues of Groningen to soak in sounds from Europe’s most thrilling up-and-coming acts. In previous years, the festival has featured acts like girl in red, Arlo Parks, Wet Leg, Fontaines D.C., and Dua Lipa at the earlier stages of their careers, and helped them to make the leap onto the international music scene.

This year will see 16 Irish acts showcasing at ESNS, spanning numerous styles, sounds, and genres – a testament to the boundless talent and diversity of today’s homegrown music scene.

Flying the flag for Ireland’s remarkable drill boom is Selló, fresh from his nominations for the RTÉ Choice Music Prize Irish Artist of the Year, Irish Breakthrough Artist of the Year, and Irish Song of the Year. The Clondalkin rapper made Irish chart history back in October, by becoming the first drill artist to break into the Top 10 on the Official irish Albums Chart, with his acclaimed debut mixtape, SellóTape.

“People have started seeing that what we’re doing is revolutionising drill music,” Selló told Hot Press last year. “We’re creating something that’s never been seen before. We call it Gaelic Drill…”

M(h)aol’s performance, meanwhile, follows their recent signing to Rough Trade Publishing. The band, who recently supported Irish four-piece Gilla Band on their European tour, are set to release their debut album, Attachment Styles, on February 3, before kicking off their headline tour in May.

49th & Main will also be bringing their irresistible live energy to Groningen – after clocking up over 19.7 million Spotify streams in 2022 alone, across 179 countries.

Festival attendees will also be able to look forward to performances from Caleb Kunle, Dea Matrona, Bricknasty, The Mary Wallopers, The Scratch, Gurriers, Sprints, New Pagans, modernlove., KhakiKid, Kynsy, Somebody's Child and Ailbhe Reddy.

16 Irish acts will showcase at ESNS, Groningen! @ailbhereddy
Bricknasty@CalebKunle1 @DeaMatronaBand @kynsy___ @KhakiKid @gurriersband @mhaolmusic @modernlove_band @NewPagansBand @Sello_ire @SomebodysChild1 @sprintsmusic @marywallopers@thescratchmusic@49thandMain pic.twitter.com/26IHQVC4es

— Music From Ireland (@MusicFrmIreland) January 12, 2023

Of course, there’s plenty more to be excited about over the days ahead. ESNS provides an important platform for artists from across Europe, and this year, the festival will have a special focus on Spain, and the diverse sounds emerging right across the country.

Among the 15 Spanish acts set to perform is Shanghai Baby. Originally rising to prominence as the bassist for Madrid indie-rock band Hinds, the artist also known as Ade Maritn has stepped confidently into the spotlight with her solo project, releasing her dazzling debut EP, EP01 – a fearlessly vulnerable exploration of young adulthood – last year.

The festival will also play host to Spanish acts Ghouljaboy , Irenegarry , Kokoshca , Go Cactus, Maestro Espada, Mainline Magic Orchestra, Marina Herlop, Marta Knight, Merina Gris, Mundo Prestigio , Queralt Lahoz , Tanxugueiras, Yo Diablo, and Zetak.

Spain's neighbours also boast a strong line-up, with Portuguese acts Hause Plants, Club Makumba, Ayom and Holly all expected to put on unforgettable shows.

Inspired by the likes of The Strokes and Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Hause Plants have emerged as one of the country's most promising up-and-coming groups – releasing their second EP, the Sleeping With Weird People EP, back in June. They're also nominated for the 2023 Music Moves Europe Awards, alongside Ireland's CMAT, and 13 other acts.

And that's just for starters! Stay tuned to hotpress.com this week for all the unmissable action from ESNS. For more information – including the full line-up and timetables – head over to esns.nl