ESNS (Eurosonic Noorderslag), the key exchange for emerging European music, is gearing up to welcome a new wave of electronic acts ready to make their mark at ESNS26. 52 acts from 25 different countries are gearing up to perform, who will be the next electronic artists taking festival stages by storm in 2026.
Among them are three acts already gaining traction, being nominated for the prestigious Music Moves Europe Awards. DITTER (France) are a trio of French brats ready to burn the stage, Might Delete Later (Latvia) who gained rapid traction blending her Lana Del Rey-esque vocals with produced dance tracks akin to Elderbrook and Fred Again and Lunikk, (Bulgaria) who are an experimental dark electro-pop duo.
Other highlights include artists combining electronic and classical music with Xcellence (Greece), redefining the space where electronic and classical music collide and CLARAGUILAR (Spain), an artist and multi-instrumentalist creating soundscapes that combine electronics and sampled elements with orchestral arrangements.
Mechatok (Germany) creates electronic pop soundscapes that often border on the glitchy and unorthodox, and has collaborated with some of the most forward-thinking artists from Drain Gang to Charli XCX to Lorenzo Senni, PISTAMASHINA (Bulgaria) blends an unspeakably mysterious aura with a strangely compelling pop appeal and Inspector Spacetime (Iceland) with a mix of dance music, pop, and electronica which conjures up a delicious recipe that is sure to get you moving.
Xenia (Spain) has a unique blend of dark pop and experimental electronic music, including influences from synth pop, post-punk, reggaeton, and drum ’n bass and Tonser (Denmark) confidently blends cinematic northern soundscapes with explosive electropop, industrial trap-influenced production and deep emotional clarity, creating a brutal and alluring world. Muovipussi (Finland) is a full-energy, queer electronic music group that combine elements from genres like rap, crispy pop, punk and metal. The name of the band means ‘plastic bag’. Muovipussi’s shows are explosive, full of punky energy, and genuinely peculiar, guaranteed to keep you entertained.
Mount Palomar (Ireland), one of the UK’s most forward-thinking voices in electronic music, known for his genre-blurring productions and high-octane modular synth–driven live shows complete with live drummer and Leona Jacewska (Poland) unites cold mutant electro with banging EBM and Italo disco.
DJ and Producer Naarly (Sweden) combines Afro/melodic/tribal house with strong vocal hooks, Susobrino (Belgium) pays homage to Latin rhythms, bridging diverse worlds and cultures and Alex Fernet (Italy) creates modern disco funk sounds.
The Netherlands is a global leader in the electronic music scene, with some of the most popular DJs in the world hailing from the country. Six eclectic acts to look out for at ESNS are Queer icon Alice Olsthoorn, who effortlessly blends hyperpop with club music, creating a futuristic world on stage, Brass Rave Unit, a trio pushing the sonic boundaries of their instruments and merging the sounds of the Amsterdam underground with a sense of urgency and pulsating beats and BUG with their explosive mix of rap, punk, and fast electronic beats with direct and unapologetic lyrics. Nijmegen cult heroes KABOUTERTJE PUTLUCHT (‘Gnome Pit Air’) create a dirty, silly beats with fatty, delicious lyrics, Laguna has a crystalline voice and creates dreamy alt-pop and Tom Forever gallivants on stage in front of you like a frenzied preacher and summons a bombastic display of hyperpop electroclash and evangelic-punk musicality that will compel you to convulse in jubilation.
Other Dutch electronic acts include Emmz is a DJ and producer from Groningen, who creates sets shaped by progressive house, acid, electro and nu-disco, Fremi brings a raw edge to the decks, with a love for dark sounds, blending high-energy UK garage with bass, Hedemann’s sets embrace contradiction: groovy and raw, hypnotic yet human, Italo Hans blends the raw energy of modern underground house with the glow of yesterday, Jennanna who is a young DJ who learned honed her skilled at her student association playing many different styles, from catchy pop to EDM and hardstyle and Red Mantra is a Drum & Bass DJ and producer who is part of an art collective called Subculture. There will also be some additional dj sets to enjoy courtesy of GP UIT G & Yung Felix, Inge van Calkar Selects and Tammo Presents: Foxham Radio.
All Electronic acts at ESNS26:
Abor & Tynna (Germany/Austria), Alice Olsthoorn (Netherlands), Brass Rave Unit (Netherlands), BUG (Netherlands), Chibi Ichigo (Belgium), Clara Kimera (France), Claraguilar (Spain), DasRADIAL (Luxembourg), DITTER (France), Emmz (Netherlands), Etceteral (Slovenia), EV (England), EVE+POL (Romania), FIDJU KITXORA (Portugal), Fremi (Netherlands), GANNA (Ukraine), GANS (England), GP UIT G & Yung Felix (DJ-set) (Netherlands), Hedemann (Netherlands), Hildá, Länsman & Tuomas Norvio (Finland), Inge van Calkar Selects (DJ-set) (Netherlands), Inspector Spacetime (Iceland), Italo Hans (Netherlands), Jennanna (Netherlands), KABOUTERJE, PUTLUCT (Netherlands), Kordz (Georgia), Laguna (Netherlands), Leona Jacewska (Poland/Germany), Lunikk, (Bulgaria), Léonie Pernet (France), Mechatok (Germany), Might Delete Later (Latvia), Mount, Palomar (Ireland), Muovipussi (Finland), Naarly (Sweden), Neon Lies (Croatia), Nightbus (England), Omar Dahl (Belgium), PISTAMASHINA (Bulgaria), punktò (Lithuania), Red Mantra (Netherlands), ROYA (Denmark), Swank, Mami (Norway), Tammo Presents: Foxham Radio (DJ-set) (Netherlands), The Null Club (Ireland), Tom Forever (Netherlands), tonser (Denmark), Why Kai (Norway), Xcellence (Greece), Xenia (Spain), yuraa (Spain), ZeMe (Latvia)
Listen to the electronic acts playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/102pTKikZ5iUslHVD1qQsI
Showcasing artists from all over Europe, ESNS has previously helped kick-start the careers of electronic acts such as Aluna George, Buraka Som Sistema, C2C, Colin Benders, Crystal Fighters, FM Belfast, Georgia, James Blake, Jungle, L’Imperatrice, Meduza, Mezerg, Milky Chance, MØ, Mura Masa, Natte Visstick, Pongo, Rudimental, San Holo, SKIP&DIE, Weval, Yard, Years & Years, Yune Pinku and The XX.
The music showcase festival celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2026, taking place from January 14 to 17 in Groningen. The complete line-up included 320 confirmed emerging artists. The selection represents 41 countries, more than ever in the history of ESNS. View all acts here https://esns.nl/en/festival/artists
About ESNS
ESNS is Europe’s leading platform showcasing emerging European music talent. Every January, Groningen (NL) hosts the ESNS festival and conference, connecting fresh artists with fans and industry professionals.
Year-round, ESNS supports new talent through initiatives like the European Talent Exchange and presents major awards including the Music Moves Europe Awards, the European Festival Awards, and the Dutch Popprijs. It partners with key projects and alliances such as Yourope, EBU and Green Deal Circular Festivals to foster a diverse, sustainable music scene.
Since 1986, ESNS has helped launch careers of artists like AURORA, Stromae, Christine and the Queens, Fontaines D.C., Altin Gün, The Haunted Youth, girl in red, Lykke Li, Joost, The XX, Robyn, Tramhaus, Hozier, Zaho de Sagazan, Judeline, Luvcat, Boko Yout, Kingfishr, Sylvie Kreusch and Arp Frique & The Perpetual Singers.
