The European Talent Exchange Programme (ETEP), now ESNS Exchange, was introduced in 2003 to make the ‘exchange’ of European artists across Europe possible on a greater scale than ever before. An initiative of ESNS, ETEP facilitates the bookings of European acts on festivals outside their home countries and generates extensive media exposure for these artists in cooperation with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), export offices and local media. This way, ESNS Exchange aims to give a boost to the international careers of European artists.

Why is there a need to exchange European artists?

ESNS Exchange was implemented because of the great difficulties that European pop music experiences in international promotion and distribution. Historically, Anglo-American repertoire has been the main focus of professional music distribution and promotion. Despite its great diversity and quality, European music has lagged behind. Therefore, ETEP was initiated to stimulate cooperation on the cultural, business and media level in the European music industry in order to develop a solid network to promote, support, motivate and encourage the free flow of creative European music talent across the continent.