Discover the future stars of global music!
View the nominees of the Best New Talent Award 2026.
Dive into an exclusive selection of songs from the Best New Talent Award nominees, and let their captivating melodies and diverse genres introduce you to the future of music.
We are thrilled to announce the 10 exceptional artists from Belgium, Denmark, Spain, The Netherlands, France, Serbia and Cyprus.
UPBEAT Best New Talent 2026 artists will have the access to mentoring activities to develop their skills and competencies to help propel their international careers!
The winner will get the chance to perform at Mercat de Música Viva de Vic along with a professional concert video and an exclusive media appearance in Songlines Magazine.
Mercat de Música Viva de Vic (MMVV) is a professional meeting point that brings together professionals from the Catalan, national and international music industry. MMVV serves as a showcase for new music projects and allows the sharing of knowledge and experiences between professionals in the sector.
Our expert jury consists of renowned music professionals, critics, and industry insiders who carefully evaluate the nominees and help determine the winners. They bring their extensive experience and expertise to ensure the integrity and fairness of the awards. They have selected 10 out of more than a hundred artists who have featured at any of UPBEAT’s member festivals throughout the year.
Vasil Gjuroski is a Balkan-born festival director who found peace, love, and a bit of madness in Tromsø – the Arctic capital of Norway. A former manager, booking agent and promoter on the Balkan, he now runs three festivals near the North Pole: the children’s festival Rabalder, the backyard music & food event Hagefestn, and Tromsø World, a global music festival bringing the world’s edges to the Arctic.
Duygu Mühürdar holds degrees in Ethnomusicology and International Relations and has nearly a decade of experience in the music industry as a booker, programmer, and cultural producer. She has worked with major venues and festivals in Türkiye, and now works as a consultant and digital music editor at Marie Claire Türkiye. She also hosts the YouTube show Duyduk Mu?, focusing on music, culture, and politics.
Almir Meskovic is a Bosnian-Norwegian accordionist and producer with a Master’s degree from the Norwegian Academy of Music. Blending classical, contemporary, and Balkan folk traditions, he has performed internationally as both a soloist and chamber musician. A multiple competition winner and three-time Spellemann Award recipient, he has collaborated with leading artists and institutions, including the Norwegian Radio Orchestra and Oslo Philharmonic.
Being part of different cultural projects in Budapest during university studies changed his path from engineering and shifted to cultural life. Formerly part of Katona József Theater as an Assistant Director and Secretary Of Arts. Working at Hangvető as a Project Manager for over three years now, as a member of the production team on Budapest Ritmo, WOMEX, Trilla Festival and international education projects amongst many other things. Currently he is mainly in charge of booking throughout the festival programming.
