New Name, More Funding For European Talent Exchange Program

Burak Cingi/Redferns
Priya Ragu performs at The Jazz Cafe in London. The Swiss-Tamil artist got a huge boost from ESNS Exchange, now known as the European Talent Exchange. (Picture by Burak Cingi/Redferns)

ESNS Exchange, the platform dedicated to increasing the circulation of European talent outside of their home countries within Europe, will be rebranded to European Talent Exchange effective Dec. 1.

“The new name better reflects our mission to support cross-border collaboration and showcase emerging European artists globally,” a press release from ESNS explains the rebrand.

In addition, European Talent Exchange has secured funding for the next four years through the European Commission’s Creative Europe program.

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

The European Talent Exchange originally launched in 2003 as ETEP (European Talent Exchange Program). It changed its name to ESNS Exchange not too long ago, and has now rebranded again. The essence of the program has always remained the same: hundreds of festival bookers check out new acts at ESNS each year, and book them on the spot.

In addition, thanks to ESNS’s close collaborations with the European Broadcasting Union, the selected artists receive extensive media exposure on EU radio stations, through individual countries’ export offices, and their local media.

That way, the European Talent Exchange has kickstarted careers of several successful touring artists, including Aurora, Stromae, Christine and the Queens, Buraka Som Sistema, Fontaines D.C., Sigrid, Marina Satti & Fonés, Altin Gün, Priya Ragu, The Haunted Youth, The XX, Robyn, Tramhaus, Sam Smith, Hozier, Alyona Alyona, Viagra Boys, Zaho de Sagazan, freekind, Kaleo, Chalk, Fat Dog, and more.

Since its launch, the platform has supported over 2,000 artists from 36 countries, leading to more than 5,300 shows at 190 partner festivals in 44 countries.

Subscribe to Pollstar HERE