Certifications, Awards, and Expert Discussion at ESNS 2023.

The AGF Team had a busy time at this years ESNS (Eurosonic Noorderslag) held in Groningen, the Netherlands.

ESNS hosts a 4-day event combining a music festival showcasing the best of new European and Dutch music, alongside a music conference geared at trailblazing the music industry towards a sustainable future.

The event provided the perfect setting for AGF's European presentation ceremony where AGF were thrilled to present its 2022 Certifications to our friends from; Das Fest (Germany), De Zon Festival (Netherlands), DGTL (Netherlands), elrow Town (Netherlands), Pleinvrees (Netherlands), Rosendal Garden Party (Sweden), Strafwerk (Netherlands) and SWR3 (Germany).

We look forward to presenting more of our 2022 certification at GEI15, London on 28th February.

ESNS also hosted the European Festival Awards (EFA) where 15 category awards were presented, chosen by 300,000 public votes (see here for categories and winners). A special shout out for Holger Jan Schmidt of YOUROPE  who deservedly picked up The Award for Excellence & Passion.

As well as presenting at the European Festival Awards,  AGF CEO, Claire O'Neill, was involved in a number of panels and workshops including:

Host for the Beer Crate Session  where 'movers and shakers' of the industry told their personal music industry story with a an Q&A with the audience.

Panel member on the panel Going Green, The Music Sector in Conversation with the EU, hosted by Linnéa Svensson of Green Events. The music sector has started to make some pledges, commitments and pacts  to reduce the industry's carbon footprint and meet the EU objectives of reducing emissions by at least 55% by 2030. The panel of music organisations, climate experts and EU officials took stock of the state of play and exchanged views on what needs to be done, what the music sector has already been doing and how the EU might be able to help going forward.

Panel member on the Technology of Ecology session. With technological innovation driving so many improvements in areas such as waste water treatment, industrial emissions, recycling and waste management, the panel looked at the global impact of these initiatives, and took a deep dive into what's currently being developed and how new technologies will positively impact our lives. The panel also included Eric van Eerdenburg of Mojo Concerts and Camille Guitteau of Bye Bye Plastic Foundation.

AGF were delighted to be part of a fantastic 4 days of celebration , networking, and discussion on the big topics in the live music sector.

Well done to all at ESNS.