News

The Estonian music industry is participating with its delegation in the most prestigious presentation festival in Europe, Eurosonic Noorderslag (ESNS), this week. The annual music industry festival and conference ESNS is taking place for the 38th time in Groningen, Netherlands, from January 17th to 20th this year. Representing Estonian music talent in the official program are Daniel Levi and Kitty Florentine.

At the ESNS conference, speakers from Estonia include Ave Sophia Maria Tölpt, Director of Music Estonia; Ingrid Kohtla, communications manager of TMW; Thea Zaitsev, CEO of Tier Music and head of Music Estonia’s manager branch; and Virgo Sillamaa, board member of European Music Export Exchange (EMEE). Also present from the Music Estonia team are Project Manager Marii Reimann, Silvia Käsk (head of Music Estonia Live branch under the SMA! project), and Head of Communications Ann Mäekivi.

In addition, the 18-member Estonian delegation includes representatives from Main Character Agency (representing Kitty Florentine), record label TIKS, Raadio 2 (part of the EBU Eurosonic group), UNESCO City of Music Tallinn, and e-Residency (EAS).

On January 18th, Music Estonia, in collaboration with TMW, Music Finland, e-Residency, and the Estonian Embassy in The Hague, is organizing an on-site reception titled “Meet Estonia & Finland at ESNS 2024,” where the Estonian and Finnish delegations will host international collaborators and professionals from the music industry, fostering an environment for networking.

The festival will showcase nearly 350 artists to over 40,000 visitors and more than 4,000 music professionals from around the world. The conference will feature over 150 panel discussions, interviews, and presentations addressing current topics in the music sector. Previous Estonian participants at ESNS include YASMYN, Mart Avi, Erki Pärnoja, Trad.Attack!, Maarja Nuut, NOËP, Tommy Cash, Ewert and the Two Dragons, Holy Motors, Talbot, and many others. Participation in the ESNS festival allows for the expansion of the Estonian music industry’s network and the development of international collaboration projects, enhancing the visibility of Estonian artists.

Activities at ESNS:

Panels:

Pump up the hype: Mastering festival marketing narratives
Thursday, January 18, 12:00-13:00, Oosterpoort – Kelder
Speaker: Ingrid Kohtla (Tallinn Music Week)

The labour of love? No volunteers = No festivals
Thursday, January 18, 12:00-13:00, Oosterpoort – Bovenzaal 1
Partner panel (SMA! Small Festivals Accellerator)

Thriving or just surviving: Strategies for the future of music management
Thursday, January 18, 13:30-14:30, Oosterpoort – Ronde Kamer
Speaker: Thea Zaitsev (Tier Music / Music Estonia)

Who is smiling, who is funding, who is working and who is watching
Thursday, January 18, 13:30-14:30, Oosterpoort – Kelder
Speaker: Virgo Sillamaa (EMEE)

One step forward and two steps back. So, which way to inclusiveness?
Thursday, January 18, 15:00-16:00, Oosterpoort – Bovenzaal 1
Speaker: Helen Sildna* (Tallinn Music Week)

Future-proofing professionals in the music industry
Thursday, January 18, 16:30-18:00, Oosterpoort – Ronde Kamer
Speaker: Helen Sildna* (Tallinn Music Week)

A New European Vision on Touring: Taxation
Friday, January 19, 12:00-13:00, Oosterpoort – Artiestenfoyer
Speaker: Virgo Sillamaa (EMEE)

Not quiet at all on the Eastern Front!
Friday, January 19, 12:00-13:00, Oosterpoort – Grijze zaal
Speaker: Ave Sophia Maria Tölpt (Music Estonia)

Speed meetings: CEE connect
Friday, January 19, 13:30-14:30, Oosterpoort – Grote zaal
Representative: Eva Johanna Lepikov (Tallinn Music Week)

ARE YOU EXPORT READY FOR INDIA? #2: From Goa to Bangalore, taking the festival road
Friday, January 19, 13:30-14:30, Oosterpoort – Kunstpunt
Partner panel (EMEE)

* Unfortunately Helen Sildna, Founder of TMW had to cancel her participation at ESNS 2024 due to injury, but we recommend to still check out the panel sessions!

Events:

MEET ESTONIA & FINLAND party
Presented by Music Estonia, Tallinn Music Week, Music Finland, e-Residency, and Estonian Embassy in The Hague at ESNS 2024
Thursday, January 18, 17:30–19:00

HEMI Reception at ESNS 2024
Powered by CEEntral Party
Thursday, January 18, 17:00
Partner event (HEMI)

ARE YOU EXPORT READY? Meet the festival bookers from India and Mexico
Friday, January 19, 15:00-16:15, Oosterpoort – Grote zaal
Partner event (EMEE)

CEE Reception
Friday, January 19, 17:00–18:00
Partner event (CEE)

Showcases:

Kitty Florentine
Thursday to Friday, January 19 – Grand Theatre Up – 00:10-00:50
Thursday, January 18 – PLATOSONIC (Plato & CC) – 17:30-17:50

Daniel Levi
Friday, January 19 – MAAS Front – 22:10-22:50