SIGIC and Music Slovenia have contributed to a new European research study examining how artists and music professionals build international careers and how music circulates across borders through showcase festivals, professional networks, and support programs.

The study, Beyond the Showcase Stage – How Music Moves Across Europe, authored by Primož Kristan and Dojrana Prokopieva, analyses participation patterns across major European platforms between 2023 and 2025 and explores how visibility, infrastructure, and follow-up support influence long-term international mobility for artists and professionals.

The research was published within Radar, the knowledge platform of Eurosonic Noorderslag (ESNS), which focuses on data-driven insights into the European music ecosystem.

Rather than treating individual festivals or platforms in isolation, the research looks at how they function together as part of a broader European ecosystem. It explores how international visibility is created, how support programs and professional networks influence what happens after a showcase appearance, and how touring and bookings connect markets across the continent. At the same time, the study shows that access to these opportunities is uneven, and that structural factors such as export support, funding, and professional infrastructure play a decisive role in determining who is able to turn visibility into long-term international mobility.

By mapping these pathways from showcase visibility to touring and sustained international activity, the study contributes to a deeper understanding of the European music ecosystem and the conditions that shape international opportunities. The findings are relevant for musicians, managers, export offices, policy makers, and all stakeholders involved in artist development and internationalization.

The research was conducted by SIGIC in collaboration with European partners.

The complete research report is available here:
👉 Beyond the Showcase Stage: How Music Moves Across Europe