Catalan artist Lia Kali claims double victory at European Emerging Talent awards

The event – which is part of the Eurosonic Noorderslag (ESNS) showcase festival in Groningen – is a major European music prize for rising artists. The awards are co-funded by the European Commission’s Creative Europe programme and aim to support the international careers of emerging artists from across the continent. Each of the five main winners receives €10,000. Lia Kali receives an additional €5,000 green touring voucher for the Grand Jury Prize, and a further €5,000 for the Public Choice Award.

Five other artists were also recognised with an MME Award: Camille Yembe (Belgium), Carpetman (Ukraine), Della (Cyprus), Sarah Julia (Netherlands) and Sofie Royer (Austria).

The winners were selected from a shortlist of 15 artists who all performed at the ESNS showcase festival this week. The international jury included BBC Radio 1 presenter Jess Iszatt, Spotify’s Head of International Music Strategy Annika Walsh, and last year’s public choice winner Judeline.

“I am sure that their sounds will reverberate throughout Europe," said Glenn Micallef, European Commissioner for Youth and Culture.

The public vote was conducted online, with fans across Europe choosing their favourite nominee. Past recipients of MME Awards include Dua Lipa, ROSALÍA, Fontaines D.C. and Christine and the Queens.

All nominated artists took part in an industry education programme organised by ESNS and Germany’s Reeperbahn Festival. The ceremony forms part of the European Union’s broader effort to strengthen the continent’s music sector by providing financial support and industry exposure to new artists.