Christopher BarrettOn his first official visit to the Netherlands, European Commissioner Glenn Micallef will visit showcase festival and music conference Eurosonic Noorderslag (ESNS) in Groningen on January 16.
Commissioner Micallef, who took office as the European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport on 1 December last month, will attend the Music Moves Europe Awards Ceremony – the European Union Prize for Music. He will present the MME Public Choice Award 2025.
ESNS, which will take place from January 15-18, is expected see thousands of global music industry professionals, including festival operators, attend the conference programme along with a live showcase festival involving hundreds of emerging artists.
Among the topics to be tackled at the event will be the impact of AI on the music industry, 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 impact of rising costs and lack of personnel in the live music industry.
On 17 January, Access All Areas content director Christopher Barrett will host a conference session entitled Unusual Suspects: A Spotlight on Frontrunning Festivals. With speakers from festivals including Hungary’s Sziget, Romania’s Electric Castle and Rock For People in Romania, the session will explore the work of festivals operators who are leading the charge in innovative ways to drive sustainability and help shape communities.
On Micallef’s involvement in ESNS, the event’s MD Anna van Nunen said, “I firmly believe that culture has the power to unite us, reinforcing our shared European identity, particularly among young people. Commissioner Micallef’s decision to make one of his first public appearances at the ESNS music festival is a powerful inspiration, encouraging us to further build on our shared vision. Together, we will continue to shine a spotlight on European talent, celebrating the richness of their cultural and musical diversity in collaboration with Europe’s vibrant music ecosystem.”