UPBEAT

UPBEAT is a European platform for showcase festivals coordinated by Hangvető, co-funded by the European Union. The initiative connects festivals, professionals, and artists in world and roots music, fostering diversity, professional growth, and sustainability across the music sector.

Starting from scratch, the platform built up a solid basis counting MENT, WOMEX, Tallinn Music Week, Budapest Ritmo, PIN, and Babel Music XP among its members. In 2025, UPBEAT enters its new phase with 15 member festivals and 15 associated partners, a number expected to grow as the network expands.

The mission remains unchanged: to support emerging world music talents, strengthen the European showcase ecosystem, and promote cultural diversity against the industry’s homogenizing trends.

Drawing from the experiences of its first three years, UPBEAT relaunches with a refreshed visual identity and brand-new programmes, reaffirming its position as the first European showcase platform dedicated to world music. 

The credit system continues to encourage member festivals to book world music artists, invite professionals, and organize capacity-building programmes. The Best New Talent Award also carries on. Each year, 10 shortlisted artists will be voted on by the public, with the winner receiving performance opportunities, video production support, and enhanced visibility across Europe.

WHAT’S NEW

Among the new initiatives is the UPBEAT Artist Mentoring Programme, developed in collaboration with the European Music Managers Alliance (EMMA). The programme pairs experienced mentors with emerging artists for an 8 to 10 month journey of strategic career development. Mentor recruitment is now underway, with artist applications opening in early December.

UPBEAT is also preparing to take its music nights beyond Europe through UPBEAT Nights Overseas, expanding its reach and impact to new audiences around the globe.

UPBEAT Artists @ MENT 2026

BRAMA (FR)
COLLIGNON (NL)
Dunjaluk (HR)
DUNYHA (HU)
Gordan (RS, AT, DE)
Grunt (SI)
Heinali and Andriana-Yaroslava Saienko present Гільдеґарда/Hildegard (UA)
Januš Aleš Luznar (SI)
Madra Salach (IE)
Meral Polat (NL)
Nika Prusnik & bratje Poljanec (SI)
SUFERI (PL)


UPBEAT Conference @ MENT 2026

Panels

– Check the Czech Live Music Market
– Coexistence of the Streaming and Direct-to-Fan Platforms: Building Sustainable Careers for Artists
– Festival Panel: Emerging Artists on the Big Stage
– From the Balkans to Europe: The Balkan Music Industry within the European Music Ecosystem
– From Creative Europe to AgoraEU: EU Funding Perspective for the Music Sector
– Interview: Bob Van Heur
– Music and Politics: The Calculus of Speaking Up
– Navigating the World Music Showcase Scene
– Playlisting the Periphery: East-Central European Music Visibility in Spotify’s Platform Geography
– Release Me!
– UPBEAT Listening Session

MENToring Sessions

– Croatian Live Music Market with Laura Matijašević (44BookingBiro, HR)
– DIY Touring with Koen ter Heegde (Yugofuturism, Vikendica, NL)
– Life of a Booking Agent with Eleanor McGuiness (Earth Agency, IE)
– Life of a Booking Agent with Riccardo Biondetti (Swamp Booking, DE)
– Showcase Festivals with Tatiana Lehocka (Sharpe, SK)

Speed Networking

– Meet the UPBEAT Festivals