ESNS announces first speakers for 2027 conference, spotlighting Ireland, AI and the future of european music

ESNS has revealed the first wave of speakers for its 2027 conference programme, offering an early look at the conversations set to shape next January’s gathering in Groningen. Taking place from January 13–16, the annual event will once again bring together artists, executives, policymakers and innovators from across Europe for one of the continent’s most influential music industry conferences.

For 2027, Ireland will take center stage as ESNS’ focus country, highlighting the nation’s artist development ecosystem and its reputation as one of Europe’s most progressive music markets. Among the first confirmed speakers is Dan Lambert, manager of Irish rap trio Kneecap, who will discuss the realities of breaking artists internationally from Ireland and navigating global success in today’s music landscape.

The Irish spotlight will also include a discussion featuring Angela Dorgan of First Music Contact, exploring how government-backed initiatives—including basic income schemes for artists—have contributed to the growth and sustainability of Ireland’s music sector. Additional sessions will examine the country’s independent live music ecosystem, with contributions from Eleanor McGuinness (Earth Agency), Will Rolfe (All Together Now, In The Meadows) and Declan Forde (Electric Picnic).

“The ESNS Conference is all about bringing people together to share ideas, challenge perspectives and shape the future of music,” said Lisa Schoemaker, Head of Conference at ESNS. “We’re excited to announce the first speakers for ESNS27 and look forward to welcoming the international music industry back to Groningen in January.”

Beyond Ireland, the conference program will feature a keynote interview with Dutch guitar icon Adrian Vandenberg, celebrating a career spanning five decades. Best known for his work with Whitesnake and his own band Vandenberg, the musician will reflect on 50 years in the international rock scene and the evolution of the music industry throughout that journey.

Other confirmed speakers include Karin de Groot, CEO of the Dutch collecting society BumaStemra, and author and Sound Diplomacy founder Shain Shapiro, who will introduce his forthcoming book, How Music Can Save the World. Sustainability will also remain a key topic on the agenda, with FRÉ (Frederike Berendsen) and LORAL (Laura Overbeeke) from Music Declares Emergency Netherlands leading a workshop to empower music professionals to drive meaningful change within and beyond the industry.

Artificial intelligence and data-driven decision-making are set to feature prominently in the program as well. Max Busin, founder and CEO of Gotobeat, will present insights into the growing role of data and AI in live music curation, reflecting broader discussions taking place across the global music business.

One of the conference’s most anticipated sessions will focus on discoverability in the digital age. Following the publication of the European Commission’s study Discoverability of Diverse European Cultural Content in the Digital Environment, Martin Clarke of research consultancy Panteia will present the findings during a panel debate exploring how streaming platforms and recommendation algorithms continue to shape music consumption across Europe.

Country music’s growing presence across the continent will also be explored through a panel organized by the Country Music Association (CMA), examining opportunities for both American artists entering European markets and European acts looking to establish themselves in Nashville.

“As the music industry continues to evolve, staying connected has never been more important,” said ESNS Managing Director Anna van Nunen. “ESNS offers a unique opportunity for music professionals to exchange ideas, build meaningful connections and explore new opportunities.”

Registrations for ESNS27 are now open, with delegate passes providing access to more than 250 showcases, the full conference program, networking opportunities and the ESNS analytics platform. Additional speaker announcements and program details are expected in the coming months.