European Festival Awards: Dutch Industry Veteran Peter Smidt Honored With Lifetime Achievement Award

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

Peter Smidt, founder of Eurosonic Noorderslag and Amsterdam Dance Event, two of Europe largest music festivals and gatherings of music industry professionals, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the upcoming European Festival Awards (EFA).

The EFAs traditionally kick off Eurosonic Noorderslag on Wednesday. The 10th edition of the award ceremony takes place Jan. 16, at De Oosterpoort in Groningen, which is where Smidt started out as an independent promoter.

After studying Art and Art Management at Groningen University, Smidt began working for Buma Cultuur as a manager in 1995. Since then he has been responsible for the organization’s European strategy, working closely with the European Music Office (EMO). Under the roof of EMO, he helped to launch the European Tour Support Plan (ETS) and co-founded the European Talent Exchange Programme (ETEP) – one of the most successful initiatives that help European artists cross borders and play outside their home nations.

Smidt is also the founder and creative director of Eurosonic Noorderslag, as well as the organizer of its conference program. He is also the father of Amsterdam Dance Event.

Over the past two decades, Smidt has also worked as a musician and composer, founded the music management and booking office Buro Gogo, and promoted both concerts and festivals for Grand Theatre Groningen, Bevrijdingspop Haarlem and De Oosterpoort Groningen.

Furthermore, he has organised the EBBA Awards and was one of the initiators of the Music Moves Europe Talent Awards.

It is for all of the above reasons that Smidt will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 10th edition of the European Festival Awards on January 16 at De Oosterpoort in Groningen.

Jorn Baars – Pale Waves at ESNS 2018
This year the British band is among the winners of the first Music Moves Europe Talent Awards

The entire Eurosonic Noorderslag runs between Jan. 19-20 this year, staging more than 350 showcases of Europe’s most promising artists and hosting some 150 panels, keynotes and presentation in the day.

The organisers around Smidt expect around 4,000 conference delegates from all sections of the entertainment industry, including representatives of over 400 festivals.

Pollstar met Smidt at his home in Amsterdam last year to talk about his eventful life, which has now earned him a EFA. Also check out our review of last year’s ESNS.