Hard Working Class Heroes returns for 2017, with applications now open for acts looking to take part
This year’s event takes place between Thursday 28th & Saturday 30th September. Interested bands & musicians (even singer-songwriters) can apply at hwch.net from now until July 14th, but you’ll need to have your Breaking Tunes profile present and correct to even get a foot in the door. Synergilicious.
There have been a few structural changes made to the festival this year, so expect to see fewer acts make the final cut and a corresponding reduction in live events.
HWCH is fifteen this year, and as with all teenagers, it’s going to shake things up a bit to mark the occasion.
The first change is going to be the date 28th-30th September. We pop back in to September every four or five years the way weekends fall, so be sure to put that in your diary.
Secondly, to give things more of a competitive edge, fewer bands will make up this year’s final line-up.
And whilst it is still a three-day event, the live showcases will only take place across Friday and Saturday night. More will be revealed next month.
First Music Contact, who run HWCH, work with Irish acts from the very beginning of their careers. This annual showcase is an opportunity to offer Irish acts some vital exposure provided by the stellar mix of influential Irish and international delegates who attend HWCH.
First Music Contact under the Irish Music Export office Music From Ireland help fund artists and present Irish showcases throughout the year at Eurosonic, SXSW, Canadian Music Week, The Great Escape, Reeperbahn, Mondo NYC and many more.
“As we are planning to expand our showcase portfolio through Music From Ireland in 2018, so to that end we are adding the bookers from BIME Portugal, Primavera Sound, and the Central Park Summer Stage to the event this year. The HWCH team will take an even more hands-on approach in terms of targeting the delegates for measurable outcomes for the artists taking part”. Angela Dorgan CEO
Some of last year’s big successes to progress from the festival include acts such as Soulé, Elm, Ailbhe Reddy, Maria Kelly, Talos, Barq, Loah, A.S Fanning and Le Boom.
Since its inception in 2003, the festival has showcased many of Ireland’s best-known acts including Hare Squead, Saint Sister, recent Choice Music Prize winners Rusangano Family, Villagers, 2013’s breakthrough act Hozier along with Girl Band, Delorentos, Fight Like Apes, Jape, Coronas, Pleasure Beach, Le Galaxie, The Strypes, Otherkin and many more.
It has never been more important to showcase all the talent this country has to offer. Keep an eye on the socials for tips from some of the local and international judges between now and the application closing date on July 14th.
