Expanded European Festival Awards Return To EuroSonic Noorderslag

Taking place on Wednesday January 12 2011 at Groningen's Stadsschouwburg in The Netherlands, the second edition of the European Festival Awards will launch the 25th Anniversary edition of Eurosonic Noorderslag in style with live acts and aftershow party.

Decided by a combination of public vote and industry juries, these Awards are the only pan-European body solely dedicated to recognising the contributions and achievements of the event organisers and performing artists that generate billions of Euros for local economies and brighten up the summer for tens of millions of festival-goers each year.

Festivals put themselves forward for inclusion in the 'long-lists' via an online application process. All festivals are entered into the Best Major, Medium-Sized or Small categories depending on their attendance figures, and they are also entered into niche categories where relevant, such as Best Family Festival, Best Dance Event, and so forth.

All festivals are weighted by their attendance, to give smaller events a fair chance against ones that are much larger. Over an initial four-week public voting period, the fans decide the final shortlists. During a final two week voting period, they determine the final winner in each category. The winners are announced and awarded at the gala Awards Ceremony which takes place at Stadsschouwburg in Groningen, The Netherlands, on January 12 2011.

Tickets (up to six tickets per buyer) to the European Festival Awards, which will include a drinks reception, buffet dinner, live performances and an aftershow party will be exclusively available, on a strict first-come-first-served basis, for festivals and promoters (Eurosonic Noorderslag registration is required).

Below you find the EFA 2011 link. It is secured with the password; EFA2011
http://www.ticketmaster.nl/html/connect.htmI?EVNT=EU120111

Register for EuroSonic Noorderslag 2011: http://www.eurosonic-noorderslag.nl/en/conference/about/register/

Yourope chairman Christof Huber commented: "The first edition of the EFA's worked out really well and it was the gathering of festivals that we had hoped for. We are proud to be co-promoter of the European Festival Awards and are looking forward to a successful second edition in this unique venue."

Virtual Festivals founder Steve Jenner added: "The European festival scene has never been more exciting with new territories springing up on the map and more established markets undergoing rapid maturation. It all bodes for a thrilling Festival Awards and another great celebration in Groningen."

EuroSonic Noorderslag creative director Peter Smidt concluded: "With so many European festivals attending EuroSonic Noorderslag, we are happy to open by celebrating the best of them at the European Festival Awards."

This year's Award Categories are as follows:

1. Best Major European Festival
2. Best Medium-Sized European Festival
3. Best Small European Festival
4. Best New European Festival
5. Best Indoor Festival (new!)
6. Best European Festival Line-Up
7. YOUROPE Green 'N' Clean Festival Of The Year
8. Artist's Favourite European Festival
9. Best Newcomer
10. Best Headliner
11. Festival Anthem of the Year
12. Virtual Festivals Europe presents Promoter Of The Year
13. Yourope Lifetime Achievement Award

Last year, more than 100,000 public votes saw Belgium claim the most awards with Dour winning 'Best Medium Sized Festival', Cactusfestival named the 'Best Small Festival', 'Best New European Festival' went  to Openfields and Rock Werchter was voted 'Best Line Up' and 'Artists' Favourite Festival'. Live Nation's Herman Schueremans was also designated 'Promoter Of The Year' by an industry jury that include a selection of the continent's most prominent trade music journalists, booking agents and related professionals.

"Things don't get much better than winning in three categories at the very first European Festival Awards in January 2010 at EuroSonic Noorderslag, the yearly European Live Music conference event which is dedicated to new European Music. Again, many thanks from all of us at Rock Werchter!" Herman Schueremans, Rock Werchter

For a full list of last year's winners click here http://www.eurosonic-noorderslag.nl/en/conference/news/news/artikel/and-the-winners-are-2/