Hard Working Class Heroes is Ireland's annual music showcase and conference, and the festival for discovering your new favourite artists. Every year we bring the global music industry to Ireland to showcase new and emerging Irish music in some of Dublin's best live music venues.

2018 LINE UP: 1000 BEASTS / A. SMYTH / Æ MAK / ALAN FINAN / AWKWARD Z. / BAD BONES / BEAUTY SLEEP / BICURIOUS / BRENNA CARROLL / CELAVIEDMAI / CHANELE McGUINNESS / CROOK / DAMOLA / DARCE / EVANS JUNIOR / FEATHER BEDS / FLYNN / HAND MODELS / HUNKPAPA / I HAVE A TRIBE / JACK O'ROURKE / JOSH GRAY / JOSHUA BURNSIDE / JUST MUSTARD / KITT PHILIPPA / LAOISE / LEILA JANE / MALOJIAN / MARIA KELLY / MOLLY STERLING / NEW PAGANS / ÓDÚ / OWEN DENVIR / P E A R L Y / PILLOW QUEENS / ROE / ROSA NUTTY / SAM WICKENS / SEAN OB / SILVERBACKS / SONJA SLEATOR / TADGH / THE WOOD BURNING SAVAGES / THUMPER / TIM CHADWICK / TIZ McNAMARA / TRUE TIDES / WASTEFELLOW / WILD YOUTH / XO MO

As well as the showcase gigs in The Workman's Club, The Grand Social, Tengu (upstairs in Kaizen Bar), Tramline, and Doyle's (upstairs) on September 28th and 29th, we'll also be hosting the HWCH Music Conference from September 27th-29th in The Chocolate Factory, which will feature networking sessions, panels, & workshops where we will dissect, discuss, & debate the issues that matter most to musicians.

The HWCH Music Conference is Ireland's largest gathering of bookers, labels, agents, managers, music supervisors, booking agents, radio folk, and journalists from around the world and here at home. The development and progression of the HWCH Music Conference over the last few years has earned the festival the local and international reputation for being a must-attend event for anyone working in music in Europe.

This year, we're delighted to have the following music industry experts join us in Dublin: Nick Robinson (Kobalt), Molly O'Brien (Beggars Music), Adam Read (Deezer), Paul Jones (Rough Trade Records), Almudena Heredero (Primavera Pro), Stephen O'Reilly (i.e:music), Adam Lewis (Planetary Group), Alisa Preisler (Ground Control Touring), François Missonnier (Europavox), Nathan Stein (Arts & Crafts), Corinne Sadki (Le Bureau Export), Jake Sheppard (Triple Management), Sarah Casey (United Talent Agency), Anton Teichmann (Manions & Millions), Daniel Horitz (Lex Records), Rhys Bradley (Martian PR), Ryan Leas (Stereogum), Anna Wester (PIAS), Casper Mills (SXSW), Oskar Strajn (ESNS), Ciara George-Lynch (Reeperbahn), Javier Lopez (Midem), Will Larnach-Jones (Iceland Airwaves), and Lisa Hresko (A2IM) + more TBA in the coming weeks.

Some of last year’s big successes to progress from the festival to the international stage include Soulé, Roe, Bitch Falcon, David Keenan, Fontaines DC, Æ Mak, Jafaris, Lilla Vargen, Jealous of the Birds, Le Boom and Paddy Hanna.

“With bands securing agents, managers and some label deals as well as a huge jump in national and international profile, a slot at HWCH is something of a bucket list achievement for a lot of developing Irish acts", says HWCH festival director, Angela Dorgan. “The payoff is also on view in the record amount of Irish acts on the bill at all our domestic festivals. It has never been more important to showcase Irish talent”.

FAQs

Are there ID or minimum age requirements to enter the event?

Yes, the night-time showcase gigs are over 18 but the conference is open to all ages.

How can I contact the organiser with any questions?

For any queries, please contact us on admin@hwch.net.

Is it ok if the name on my ticket doesn't match the person who attends?

Yes. Please notifiy us of the changes by emailing admin@hwch.net.

Is my ticket transferrable?

Yes. Please notifiy us of the changes by emailing admin@hwch.net.