EUphoria 2026: Where Europe’s music scene connected
On 6 May, in the lead-up to Europe Day on 9 May, Ancienne Belgique hosted the 12th edition of EUphoria, bringing together Europe’s music sector for a day of discussion, live shows and everything in between. At the heart of the event were the Music Moves Europe Awards (MME Awards), creating space for emerging artists to engage directly with the people shaping the future of the industry, beyond showcasing talent alone. That idea came into focus during one of the day’s key moments: the exchange between MME Awards winner Della and European Commissioner Glenn Micallef.
Where policy meets lived experience
Fresh from her breakthrough at ESNS 2026, where she became the first Cypriot artist to win a MME Award, Della spoke about what that momentum looks like behind the scenes: building a career across Europe, navigating expectations and finding space to grow creatively.
Commissioner Micallef picked up on that, reflecting on how policy can support artists in a more concrete way, not just in theory but in their day-to-day reality.
Panel discussion: Europe, turn up the volume
Moderated by Fabien Miclet, a familiar voice within the EUphoria programme, the panel brought together MEP Emma Rafowicz with Frank Kimenai (Senior Consultant at KEA European Affairs), Jess Partridge (Executive Director of EMMA at European Music Managers Alliance) and Gordelia Miländer (Head of Artistic Programme at Paavli Kultuurivabrik). They discussed how future EU funding can better support a strong and diverse music scene.
Key topics included the growing power of platforms and their impact on smaller players, as well as the role of independence in maintaining a diverse sector. Language diversity in Europe was discussed as both a strength and a challenge, particularly in terms of visibility and cross-border reach. Across policy and practice, there was a shared call for a more joined-up approach that strengthens the music ecosystem and ensures regulation protects music, culture, artists and audiences, rather than falling behind.
From dialogue to performance
Not long after, Della returned in a different role, this time on stage. Her performance carried the same intensity that had already marked her ESNS show earlier this year. Moving between fragile, intimate moments and sudden walls of sound, she drew the room into a space that felt both personal and expansive.
For the Music Moves Europe Awards, it became a full-circle moment, where recognition, conversation and performance came together in one night.
The rest of the programme reflected that same mix, with Roza delivering a set balancing softness and urgency, and SexyTadhg closing the evening with an explosive, high-energy performance.
One connected ecosystem
Around the live shows, panels and informal conversations continued across the venue, bringing together artists, professionals and policymakers from across Europe. Different perspectives kept circling the same question: how to build a stronger, more connected music ecosystem.
What stood out at EUphoria 2026 was not just the line-up or the discussions on their own, but how closely they were connected. For the MME Awards, that overlap is the point. Supporting emerging artists goes beyond recognition; it is about creating space for them to be part of the conversation, and the future being shaped around them.
EUphoria 2026 was organised by Ancienne Belgique, in collaboration with Liveurope, the pan-European initiative that supports concert venues in programming more European talent, and the Music Moves Europe Awards. The event was co-funded by the European Union’s Creative Europe programme.