With the 14th edition of the European Festival Awards set to take place on January 15th in Groningen, The Netherlands, the European Festival Awards is proud to announce that this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award will go to Juhani Merimaa. Juhani Merimaa is one of the most respected and influential figures in the Finnish Music industry with a career that spans over five decades. He has been involved in running Finland’s most legendary music venue Tavastia Klubi since the 70’s up until year 2023 when he stepped down from the position of promoter and CEO. He has also had a central role in the Finnish festival scene. With three major festivals, he has been deeply involved with: Ankkarock, Ruisrock and Tuska. He is one of the founders of Ankkarock and he was promoter and CEO of Ruisrock for years which was also one of the founding members of Yourope. The first edition of Tuska was held at Tavastia and was promoted by Juhani. Later, he was one of the partners and board members of the now Superstruct-managed Tuska Open Air. Juhani Merimaa has earned himself the title “Man who brought rock and roll to Finland”. Even now, when he is mostly retired from everyday business, he is very much active in the background as a mentor for many in the Finnish music industry. Furthermore, he is known from one of Finland’s most popular music TV shows “Tähdet tähdet” where he was the jury member for five seasons. Congratulations to Juhani Merimaa and thank you for dedicating your professional life and beyond to the Finnish music industry, connecting artists and the music industry in general. Furthermore, the shortlists for 13 of the ceremony’s categories are also being announced. Over 50,000 votes have been cast for the 2024 European Festival Awards in the main public categories. The European Festival Awards team would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who applied, voted and otherwise participated in the Awards this year. Now, without further ado, here are the shortlists: Best Major Festival Best Medium-Sized Festival Best Small Festival The Green Operations Award The Event Safety Award The Brand Activation Award The Take a Stand Award New Kid on the Block 2024 Line-Up of the Year Promoter of the Year Newcomer of the Year Agent of the Year The Award for Excellence and Passion Lifetime Achievement Award Tickets for the Award Ceremony set to take place on January 15th 2025 at de Oosterpoort in Groningen, The Netherlands are now on sale There are two different Ticket options: PREMIUM TICKETS (€100): TRIBUNE TICKETS (€25):European Festival Awards Announce Shortlists and Lifetime Achievement Award !
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Colours Of Ostrava, CZ
Down The Rabbit Hole, NL
Electric Castle, RO
Lowlands, NL
Mad Cool Festival, ES
Open’er Festival, PL
Paléo Festival, CH
Pinkpop, NL
Primavera Sound, ES
Rock Werchter, BE
Dauwpop, NL
Greenfield Festival, CH
Montreux Jazz Festival, CH
Mystic Festival, PL
OFF Festival, PL
Orange Warsaw Festival, PL
Pohoda Festival, SK
Rock for People, CZ
Sunny Hill Festival, XK
Vestrock, NL
Electric City, DE
Fortress Festival, UK
Gladiolen Festival, BE
Inside Seaside, PL
Jazz in the Park, RO
Sofia Live Festival, BG
Stars in Town, CH
Štěrkovna Open Music, CZ
Unique Moments, CH
Ypsigrock Festival, IT
Presented by: GO Group
ESNS, NL
NorthSide, DK
OpenAir St.Gallen, CH
Øyafestivalen, NO
We Love Green, FR
Presented by: YES Group
Dranouter, Tomorrowland, Extrema Outdoor, Pukkelpop, Graspop & Rock Werchter, BE
Habitat Festival, DE
Movendium, NL
Paléo Festival, CH
Rocco del Schlacko, DE
Timișoara – Capital of Culture, RO
Electric Castle & Promenada Nepi Rockcastle, RO
Lowlands & IKEA, NL
Pohoda Festival & Isadore + MTBIKER, SK
Rock for People & Komerční banka, CZ
Tinderbox & FindLife, DK
Presented by: Take a Stand
Dranouter, Tomorrowland, Extrema Outdoor, Pukkelpop, Graspop, Rock Werchter, BE
EXIT Festival, RS
Pohoda Festival, SK
Sonraíz, ES
Superbloom Festival, DE
Presented by: DIY Magazine
Andrea Blahová, Pohoda Festival, SK
Annika Böck, Das Fest, DE
Filip Košťálek, Colours Of Ostrava, CZ
Isabel Roudsarabi, Höme, DE
Presented by: IQ Magazine
Hellfest, FR
Mad Cool Festival, ES
Montreux Jazz Festival, CH
Nos Alive, PT
Open’er Festival, PL
Primavera Sound, ES
Pukkelpop, BE
Rock Werchter, BE
Roskilde Festival, DK
Sziget Festival, HU
Presented by: Pollstar
AEG Presents, UK
ARTmania Events, RO
Barracuda Austria, AT
Boom Festival, PT
FKP Scorpio, DE
Gadget Entertainment Group, CH
Mojo, NL
Montreux Jazz Festival, CH
Primavera Sound, ES
Rock In Rio, PT
Presented by: ESNS
Benson Boone, US
Chappel Roan, US
English Teacher, UK
Fat Dog, UK
Nemo, CH
Picture Parlour, UK
Teddy Swims, US
The Last Dinner Party, UK
Zaho De Sagazan, FR
Zimmer90, DE
Andy Nees, WME
Angus Baskerville, Pure Presents
Anna Bewers, Wasserman Music
Ian Huffam, X-Ray
James Whitting, Wassermann Music
Jon Ollier, One Fiinix
Jonny Greenfield, WME
Jules De Lattre, UTA
Matt Bates, Primary Talent
Rod MacSween, ITB
Claes Olsen, NO
Claire O’Neill, UK
Emily Eavis, UK
Greg Parmley, UK
Ivan Milivojev, RS
Michal Thomes, CZ
Mika Christoffersen, DK
Niek Murray, NL
Stephan Thanscheidt, DE
Vlad Yaremchuk & Music Saves Ukraine, UA
Juhani Merimaa, FI
6.00pm – 6.45pm: Welcome Drink & Seating in the Grote Zaal
7.00pm – 8.45pm: Three-course sit down dinner with drinks
9.00pm – 10.45pm: European Festival Awards Ceremony
11.30pm – 2.00am: After show party, Location: News Café, Waagplein 5, Groningen
A tribune seat at the Award Ceremony (Dinner and drinks excluded)
9.00pm – 10.45pm: European Festival Awards Ceremony