Peter Smidt Steps Down As Creative Director Of ESNS

– Peter Smidt
Has helped shape Holland’s music industry significantly

Peter Smidt will step down as creative director of ESNS (Eurosonic Noorderslag) due to health reasons, after founding and running the event for the past 33 years.

It all began in 1986, when Smidt, initially through Stichting Pop Groningen and later as a programmer of the Groningen venue De Oosterpoort, organized a showdown between Dutch and Belgian bands: Holland-Belgium, later renamed to Noorderslag.

He told Pollstar all about these early beginnings in a video interview, including how the name Eurosonic Noorderslag (ESNS) eventually came about, which today stand for one of the leading music events in Europe.

Smidt has always been the driving force behind this development, plotting the creative course and giving the platform an ever increasing significance and scope. Today, more than 40,000 people visit ESNS festival each year, some 4,000 of which as conference delegates. 

Smidt also founded ETEP, the European Talent Exchange Programme, an international partnership between 100-plus festivals, EBU radio stations, export offices and ESNS. Hundreds, if not thousands, of artists have benefitted from ETEP since its launch more than 16 years ago, making Smidt one of the most important promoters of Dutch and European pop music.

He was also the main force behind the European Border Breakers Awards, which became the Music Moves Europe Talent Awards in 2019, as well as the prestigious Dutch music prize Popprijs, which is awarded since 1991.

On behalf of ESNS, managing director Dago Houben and chairman of the Supervisory Board Pierre Ballings said: “Peter was unmistakably of the greatest importance for the development of the event. Without his enthusiasm, vision and determination, we would never have been where we are now.

“We are very, very grateful for everything he has done and we are very happy that he will continue to advise us in the coming years. This allows us to look forward with confidence and we believe that his ideas, his vision, experience and network will also be sufficiently secured in the future.”

Robert Meijerink succeeds Smidt as head of program, and will be responsible for the creative course of ESNS going forward. Ruud Berends is head of the conference and Joey Ruchtie is responsible for the Dutch acts at ESNS.

Peter Smidt said: “Looking back on great years with beautiful results, I am unfortunately forced to say goodbye to my beloved work for ESNS because of the deterioration of my health. I remain available as an advisor while a fantastic team of capable colleagues is ready to take over my duties. I leave ESNS in their hands with confidence.”