The EuroSonic festival takes place on Thursday evening the 15th and Friday evening the 16th of January. This is the most important showcase festival for  the most promising European acts. These acts will be playing at stages in concert halls, clubs and bars throughout the city center of Groningen.

On Saturday night the 17th of January the Noorderslag festival takes place in the Oosterpoort, a large venue in Groningen comprising around eight halls and rooms. Noorderslag festival presents an overview of the state of affairs in Dutch music, with the best and hottest acts from the Netherlands who either delivered a noteworthy achievement in the past year or new talents whom generate high expectations for the future.

The EuroSonic Noorderslag Conference takes place in the Oosterpoort venue during daytime on Thursday 15 untill Saturday 17 January. Professionals from the Dutch and European music industry attend the seminar to take part in the panels, workshops and meetings to update their knowledge, network and do business. Seminar attendants have priority access to the EuroSonic Noorderslag festival.

The EuroSonic and Noorderslag Festival and Conference together form EuroSonic Noorderslag.

Every year acts can register for Eurosonic Noorderslag. From all received registrations about 250 acts will be selected to play at the festival.

Registration can be done online ( at this site and at www.sonicbids.com) and closes at the start of September. A registration form can be found on this site until the closing date.

When your act has not been selected, you are still more than welcome to visit Eurosonic, Noorderslag and/or the Conference; the festival is pre-eminently the place to meet people from the music business.

Sleeping accomodation is not easy to find during EuroSonic Noorderslag. A new service is 'book a bunk' where you can book bunks on hotel boats through our website. Keep an eye on the website for the latest information. Please note that capacity on these hotel boats is also limited. You can also approach hotels yourself.

Noorderslag & EuroSonic 3-day-ticket:
This ticket allows access to all shows on Thursday/Friday/Saturday.
Price: €  70,- sold out

EuroSonic Festival ticket:
Only tickets for two nights are available, allowing you access to all shows.
Price: € 40,-

Noorderslag Festival
Ticket allows access to the one-night festival on Saturday.
Price: € 40,- sold out

More information

Noorderslag Seminar
Seminar registrations costs:
Early Bird registration € 185,- (if registered before 16 June 2008)
Medium registration € 210,- (if registered before 16 October 2008)
Late registration € 235,- (if registered before 16 December 2008)
Walk Up € 260,- (after 16 december 2008)

Festival ticket presale 15th of November at www.ticketservice.nl, the large post offices, +31 (0)900-300 12 50 (€ 0,45 p/m), VVV's, GWK's, Plato and the Oosterpoort box office.

Seminar registrations can be obtained through our website from 1 May until the festival. During the festival you can get a 'walk-up registration' at the registration desk in De Oosterpoort - until the seminar is sold-out.

For EuroSonic Noorderslag (for the 2 and 3-day tickets) you need a wristband to get into all the venues. You can exchange your ticket for the wristband at the box offices on the Grote Markt in the centre of Groningen.

The Noorderslag Festival ticket allows straight access into the Oosterpoort venue.

Simple, regular (digital) cameras are permitted. Video cameras, professional cameras (cameras with separate lenses) and other recording equipment is not allowed. Professional photographers have to register through pers@noorderslag.nl.

There are two options:

Schiphol Airport
This is the international airport of the Netherlands. From here there is a trainconnenction to the city centre of Groningen, taking approximately two and a half hours.  It leaves every half hour and costs about € 30,- per person one way.
Click here <www.ns.nl> for the Dutch Railways (NS) and travelling schedules.
(place of departure: Schiphol, travel destination: Groningen)

Airport Eelde
This small airport is located fifteen kilometers South of Groningen. From here you can, you can take a bus to the city centre of Groningen (travel time approximately 30 minutes).

First acts will be announced in October, the complete program will be ready late September.

As a registered participant to EuroSonic Noorderslag Conference, you are entitled to:
• Full access to the seminars and priority access for delegates at selected venues of EuroSonic and Noorderslag.
• Full access to the registrants online database, featuring contact information of all participants
• The Noorderslag Conference goody bag
• The Noorderslag Conference Guide with the complete seminar program, participants details and contact info of all EuroSonic and Noorderslag acts.
• Regular updates prior to the event and daily updates during EuroSonic Noorderslag

ETEP (European Talent Exchange Program) is An initiative of the Noorderslag Foundation to stimulate the circulation of European repertoire on festivals, radio and media in Europe

EBU (European Broadcast Union) is the association of public broadcasters in Europe.

EBBA (European Border Breakers Award) In giving these awards the European Commission, in cooperation with the EBU wishes to reward debut artists' and groups' success in crossing national borders. In 2009 ten European groups and artists will receive this year's European Border Breakers Awards during a show to take place on the opening night of the EuroSonic Noorderslag Festival in Groningen, the Netherlands.