Emma Banks To Speak At 40th ESNS Conference

ESNS (Eurosonic Noorderslag) has announced some conference highlights for its 40th edition, taking place Jan. 14-17, 2026 in Groningen, Netherlands.

Emma Banks will take the stage for the ESNS keynote interview, conducted by journalist Lisa Henderson. Banks, one of the most influential figures in the global live music business, will talk about her career, from her early days in London’s agency scene to leading one of the world’s most powerful touring divisions; touring with artists like Red Hot Chili Peppers, Katy Perry, Paramore and Florence & The Machine; as well as the music industry and the future of live music.

See: 40th ESNS To Forgo National Spotlights In Favor Of Unified European Theme

Also confirmed as a 2026 ESNS speaker is Sziget director Tamás Kádár, who’ll talk about the growing influence of large ownership structures across the festival scene, with private equity firms, corporate takeovers and big investment groups increasingly shaping the future of live music.

Sziget just announced a return to its independent roots, after becoming the first festival Superstruct bought into in 2017.

Producer, composer, and arranger Craig Leon comes to ESNS to reflect on his groundbreaking work as a producer for acts like the Ramones, Talking Heads, Blondie, Richard Hell, and Suicide. Among other things, Leon produced the self-titled debut of the Ramones — a record that would forever redefine the landscape of punk music both in the U.S. and Europe.

Activism in music is a key theme at ESNS 2026. Bart Brandsma of Inside Polarisation, an expert on the topic of polarization, will explore the correlation between activism and us-versus-them thinking.

Director-general of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), Noel Curran, will explore the future of public service media and cross-border collaboration in Europe.

Other featured speakers taking the stage at ESNS 2026 include, in alphabetical order:

Bas Dokter (Agents After All), Barbara Vos (Barbara Vos), Bas van Wageningen (bassist DI-RECT), Ben Wynter (Unstoppable Music, Power Up), Brij Gosai (Pollstar), Canan Yurdakul (EBB Music), Claire O’Neill (A Greener Future), Dorian Perron (Groover), Dr Charisse Beaumont (Black Lives in Music), Dylan Heneck (SubmitHub), Eric Skunck (YouTube), Ernst-Jan Pfauth (journalist, schrijver & media pionier), Froukje (artist), Kevin Cole (KEXP), Koos Zwaan (Inholland University of Applied Sciences), Lesley Grieten (Concert at SEA), Ognjen Tomašević (EXIT Festival), Paulina Parvanov (Austrian Music Export), Peter Verkennis (Stichting Bospop), Roisin O’Connor (The Independent), Ruth Barlow (Beggars Group), Saskhia Menendez (Sassy Records LTD), Tim van der Zalm (Labeltje Labeltje), Tirsa Creusen (Pinkpop), Vasil Gjuroski (Tromsø World).

And that’s just the conference program. The other half of ESNS’s beating heart is, of course, the many concerts taking place across the city of Groningen.

Last year’s sold-out ESNS welcomed 333 up-and-coming European acts from 33 countries showcasing their talent to some 40,000 music fans and music biz professionals.

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