ESNS Conference Confirms 74 New Speakers: Black Lives in Music, Mad Cool, Roskilde, Spotify & More Represented

ESNS returns to Groningen, the Netherlands, Jan. 15-18, 2025. The newly announced lineup of speakers for the conference include Gee Davy (AIM), Annika Walsh, who leads Spotify’s International Music Strategy, Kelly Betts (editor, BBC Music Introducing), and many more.

See: Anna van Nunen Appointed New ESNS General Manager

The lineup also features recent Pollstar and VenuesNow Impact International honorees Cindy Castillo, who grew Mad Cool Festival into one of Spain’s premier music events in just a few years; Alex Bruford, founder of ATC Live, which represents 400 artists, including Fontaines D.C., Metronomy, and PJ Harvey; and Christof Huber, director festivals at Gadget Entertainment Group Switzerland, and board member of Yourope.

Also on the speakers lineup are Rauha Kyyrö, responsible for developing FKP Scorpio’s booking and promoter activities across Europe, Fiona McAuley, senior director of digital marketing at BMG, Claes Olsen, founder of Oslo’s Øyafestivalen; Sean Adams, founder of Drowned in Sound; Camila Anino, head of partnerships & programming for Primavera Pro; Dr. Charisse Beaumont, chief executive of Black Lives in Music; Henrik Bondo Nielsen, Roskilde Festival’s special adviser and festival manager; Lowlands festival director Eric van Eerdenburg; Wasserman Music’s Alex Hardee; UTA’s Tom Matthews; Primary Talent’s Will Marshall, and more.

35 Years Of Breaking Borders In Europe: A Chat With ESNS Head Of Program Robert Meijerink

Topics that’ll be discussed across various conference sessions include the impact of AI on the music industry; the future of streaming; achieving sustainability goals for festivals by 2030; the fairness of dynamic pricing; activism among artists and festivals; the effect of private equity on business; and the devastating impact of rising costs and lack of personnel in the live music industry.

Delegate Passes for ESNS25 are now on sale at ESNS.nl. They include fast-lane access to 250+ showcases taking place across Groningen during the festival; full access to the ESNS Conference, networking lounges and hospitality options, access to the ESNS Delegates Database, and access to ESNS Analytics for up-to-date artist data.

Subscribe to Pollstar HERE