Thanks to ESNS, Groningen was buzzing in recent days and especially in the evenings and nights. Party everywhere, fun everywhere and music everywhere. Although, the latter was less this year and that resulted in long queues for various stages. “A big fail.”
There is no activity on the Grote Markt around eleven o’clock on a Friday evening. The popular Joost Klein is programmed in the tent. There are many more people than can fit in the huge tent. That is why black crowd barriers have already been placed around the temporary pop temple in advance. The result is that there is a crowd at the only entrance gate. The line soon increases and even extends around the corner into Oosterstraat.
ESNS has shrunk considerably
But that’s the free part of the festival. That is different for the tens of thousands of paying visitors to ESNS. They all paid either 50 euros for an evening or 110 to 175 (without or with Noorderslag) for a passe-partout that is valid every day.
Visitors get less in return than in previous years. Although there are 300 acts, 30 fewer than last year. And then there are also fewer stages. In 2019 there were more than 30, last year there were 24, this year 18. At the same time, ESNS has sold a comparable number of tickets as previous editions. In short: many more people have to be distributed over fewer available stages and then it becomes crowded.
Too expensive and locations have disappeared
According to Corné Bos, marketing manager at the festival, ESNS had no choice but to downsize in terms of locations. Some stages, such as the Platform Theater, have disappeared and other spots are becoming too expensive due to all the cost increases. “As a result, it was indeed a bit busier in some places,” says Bos. He adds that it was actually feasible at other locations, slightly outside the center such as Simplon and the Machine Factory.
Eurosonic is originally a showcase festival. Young up-and-coming talent presents itself in Groningen to major festivals, bookers and management agencies from all over Europe. But also a festival that opens its doors to the general public, to Stadjers and Ommelanders who look forward to it every year and pay a lot of money.
‘Expensive ticket for a whole evening of bluebills’
City blog Sikkom receives many complaints about long lines and several people also express their dissatisfaction on X. On Instagram, Rebecca Wieringa says she even went home early. “I’m always all about positivity. But I just stood in a very long line 25 minutes before an act started. When I get inside, there is still a line.”
Wieringa continues: “I understand it is busy. I understand that some acts are more popular than others. But I paid quite a lot of money for a ticket and then I’m blue-eyed the whole time. I can handle quite a lot and enjoy myself, but this is a matter of principle. You stand in line most of the time and if things don’t go well you can join the line again for another act. So I gave up. Shame. Because it was otherwise a great evening.”
‘Big fail’
Others agree with Wieringa’s criticism. For example, Marc Gommans on X states: “Eurosonic this year. Many fewer locations due to (among other things) cost savings, but the number of tickets sold is the same as last year. Does not work. Long blocked queues everywhere due to full and frustrated paying visitors. Action point for next year.” Rolf Dijkstra even mentions a disappointing second evening. “Especially people who are cold are standing in one of the many rows. Big fail for ESNS.”