The European Talent Exchange Program (ETEP) is an initiative from the Noorderslag Foundation and Buma Cultuur in cooperation with Yourope and EBU and is supported by EMO and Sena Performers. ETEP’s goal is to stimulate the circulation of European Artists within Europe by performing at selected ETEP festivals throughout Europe. The actual selection is done at EuroSonic Noorderslag out of the 250 artists performing there, by the ETEP festivals themselves.

A large and diverse group of artists will be offered the opportunity to perform at the major European ETEP festivals. Various shows will be supported by (EBU) radio and (print) Media. This unprecedented cooperation between European partners has a proven track record of success for European artists within Europe and beyond since its start in 2003.

How does ETEP work?
Following EuroSonic Noorderslag, which are broadcasted by several EBU radio stations, the ETEP festivals select artists from a foreign country guaranteeing confirmed slots at their festival. Radio stations lend support for the selected acts. Written media support the acts in national press. Both radio and print media offer national exposure to these selected groups. Organisations like IMMF and Network Europe support where possible. In this way the selected talented European artists are guaranteed a spot at one or more major summer festivals attracting thousands of music lovers and with the support of radio and (print) media, managers, promoters and agents resulting in an audience numbering in the millions. This guarantees maximum exposure and offers a perfect opportunity for management and the recording industry to establish and promote their artists throughout Europe. This project creates a unique cooperative working relationship between professionals in the European music business with European talent rather than US talent. It boosts the circulation of European talent both nationally and internationally which is usually very difficult. In this way ETEP creates opportunities and builds careers for European artists in Europe. By doing this in a consistent manner ETEP is able to create real networks and stimulate a solid flow of European talent across the continent. ETEP is simple, cost effective, has a proven track record and is of major importance in creating an expanding European music industry.

Why ETEP?
The reason for the implementation of this program is due to the great difficulties that European pop music experiences in trans-European promotion and distribution. Historically, Anglo American repertoire has been the focus of professional distribution and promotion in Europe. One of ETEP’s goals is to stimulate contacts on the cultural, business and media level between European professionals in the European music field. ETEP was initiated in order to develop a solid network among the involved parties to promote, support, motivate and encourage the free flow of creative European talent across the continent. EBU members have a strong input in the programming of EuroSonic Noorderslag since they promote their best national talent at the festival. EBU members record and broadcast many of the festival shows. This strong alliance involving the most influential parties in European music provides a network of associates who are able to reach an audience of millions, thereby guaranteeing the continuing expansion of European music.
The European Talent Exchange Programme (ETEP) is therefore the logical step in creating a European platform to facilitate the growth of a pan-European repertoire.

General Objectives
The main objective of the ETEP project is to facilitate the circulation of repertoires, artists and productions in Europe and have the European Music industry and media working together to promote acts and repertoire. The project guarantees maximum exposure and offers a perfect opportunity for management and the recording industry to establish and promote their artists throughout Europe. This project creates a unique cooperative working relationship between professionals in the European music business with European talent rather than US talent. It boosts the circulation of European talent both nationally and internationally which is usually very difficult. In this way ETEP creates opportunities and builds careers for European artists in Europe. By doing this in a consistent manner ETEP is able to create real networks and stimulate a solid flow of European talent across the continent. ETEP is simple, cost effective, has a proven track record and is of major importance in creating an expanding European music industry.

There are four specific objectives:
• To have as many as possible European acts to be programmed at as many European summer festivals as possible
• To promote these acts not only on festivals but in parallel through media coverage
• To stimulate the music industry and media to work on European repertoire
• To boost European careers for European artists

Results
2003
the 1st year of ETEP, presented a total of 53 shows with 23 artists from 8 countries playing at 23 festivals in 13 countries.

2004
84 shows with 35 artists from 13 countries at 36 festivals in 13 countries

2005
89 shows with 39 artists from 14 countries at 41 festivals in 16 countries

2006
156 shows with 48 artists from 12 countries at 50 festivals in 17 countries

 2007
182 shows with 60 artists from 18 countries at 55 festivals in 19 countries

 2008
187 shows with 64 artists from 16 countries at 58 festivals in 16 countries

A total of 698 shows in 5 years by 249 European artists, excluding the spinoff shows at non ETEP festivals all over the world.

Many of these shows were promoted by the major European music magazines and EBU radio stations in Europe, giving the artists exposure to a large bordercrossing audience of millions.

ETEP is an initiative of the Noorderslag Foundation, organising EuroSonic Noorderslag with following partners;
YOUROPE the European Festival Association www.yourope.org
EBU (European Broadcasting Union, largest professional association of national broadcasters in the world www.ebu.ch

and is actively supported by
NETWORK EUROPE association for agencies, promoters and talent buyers working in Europe www.networkeurope.net