Westway LIVE unveils the first five names for what will be its 13th edition. The lineup brings together national and international acts, with XEXA (Portugal), a solo project moving between alternative pop and author-driven electronic music; Scurú Fitchádu (Portugal), an artist who blends hip hop, spoken word, and references from Cape Verdean music; DITTER (France), an alternative rock band with a strong live presence; GANS (United Kingdom), a British duo associated with contemporary indie rock and post-punk; and Gaia Banfi (Italy), an artist, composer, and producer whose work sits between indie pop and electronic music. The projects DITTER and GANS, which performed at ESNS 2026, are part of Westway’s collaboration with the European Talent Exchange.

General pass available here

At Westway MEETING – Dalse Yoonyoung Kong (Zandari Festa, South Korea) and Robin Werner (Reeperbahn, Germany) join the group of international guests previously announced: Jordi Fosas (Fira Mediterrània Manresa, ES), Jordi Casadesús (Mercat de Música Viva de Vic, ES), Joyce Jenny Loir (Ancienne Belgique, BE), Eugenio González (La Mar de Músicas, ES), Ísleifur Thorhallsson (Sena Live / Iceland Airwaves, IS), and Cíntia Marques (ARCUPS, organiser of the Ti Milha festival, PT).

Registration for access to and participation in Westway MEETING for the 2026 edition is now available here.

For delegates under 35 years old, the Young Delegate Pass – U35 (€25) is available, in addition to the regular Delegate Pass, priced at €50.

The major new feature of this edition is the hosting of The Portuguese Discovery, an initiative dedicated to the international representation of new Portuguese music. In this edition, Westway has taken on the curatorial responsibility, selecting the projects Ana de Llor, Summer of Hate, and Sunflowers, which reflect the diversity and vitality of the current national scene. A new edition of The Portuguese Discovery is already confirmed for 2027 and will be coordinated by Why Portugal through an open call.

Another new element of this 13th edition is the opportunity for training aimed at young music professionals, launched by WHY Portugal and Audiogest. This training programme, dedicated to empowering young professionals in the music industry, will include thematic sessions focused on three key pillars for the professionalisation of the new generation of cultural agents: Artist management, curated by EMMA – European Music Managers Alliance; Music export, in collaboration with EMEE – European Music Exporters Exchange; and Neighbouring rights, drawing on the expertise and technical know-how of Audiogest itself.