Despite continued funding issues for its ETEP (European Talent Exchange Programme) scheme, the Eurosonic and Noorderslag Weekend broke all records in January when it welcomed nearly 2,500 music industry professionals and 252 bands.

The three day seminar and showcase event, which takes place annually in Groningen in the Netherlands, was widely heralded as the best year yet. Delegates from 32 countries visited, and the increased focus on the live music industry included keynote addresses by Ticketmaster’s Sean Moriarty and agent Carl Leighton-Pope; and interviews with Ed Bicknell of William Morris and Mojo Concert’s Leon Ramakers.

Despite continued funding issues for its ETEP (European Talent Exchange Programme) scheme, the Eurosonic and Noorderslag Weekend broke all records in January when it welcomed nearly 2,500 music industry professionals and 252 bands.

The three day seminar and showcase event, which takes place annually in Groningen in the Netherlands, was widely heralded as the best year yet. Delegates from 32 countries visited, and the increased focus on the live music industry included keynote addresses by Ticketmaster’s Sean Moriarty and agent Carl Leighton-Pope; and interviews with Ed Bicknell of William Morris and Mojo Concert’s Leon Ramakers.

ETEP, which aims to generate festival bookings and media support for new European acts, also reported a busy event, with 168 bands being targeted by its member festivals. And despite European funding being withdrawn two years ago, ETEP membership rose 13% this year, with eight new festivals signing up, including Exit in Serbia and Montreux Jazz in Switzerland.

The ETEP programme has not received European funding since 2006, and for the last two years has been financed by the Noorderslag Foundation, Buma Cultuur, Dutch rights organisation Sena Performers, EMO (The European Music Office) and several EMO partners.

“Without this support ETEP would have not survived and is highly appreciated,” says ETEP manager Ruud Berends. “We will continue to try to find new European funding for the programme as it is absolutely necessary in order to continue and grow.”