What is Ireland Music Week?

Ireland Music Week (IMW) is an annual independent music showcase and conference festival held in Dublin that highlights emerging Irish talent across a wide range of genres, including indie, rock, pop, folk, hip hop, and electronic music. Organized by First Music Contact, a non-profit supporting Ireland’s independent music sector, IMW provides artists with a platform to perform in front of influential industry professionals, including talent scouts, label representatives, and media from both Ireland and abroad.

Taking place across venues in Dublin city centre in the first week of October each year

Many artists go on to showcase at some of international festivals that Music From Ireland partners with each year.

The Showcases

Since 2003, Ireland Music Week has been the stepping stone for many of Ireland’s standout artists, shaping the showcase as a leading event for new talent discovery. Each year, nearly 750 artists compete for just 50 slots, and we’re thrilled for the 2025 lineup to highlight some of Ireland’s best and most promising talent.

Previous IMW showcasing acts include:

Fontaines D.C., Hozier, CMAT, Villagers, David Keenan, Denise Chaila, Kynsy, Rachael Lavelle, Ellie O’Neill, Sweetlemondae, Last Apollo, Aoife Nessa Frances, Sprints, M(h)aol, Niamh Regan, Pretty Happy, Pillow Queens, THUMPER, Saint Sister, Wyvern Lingo, Just Mustard, Gilla Band, Jape, The Coronas, Talos, Le Boom, Loah, Soak, Sinead O’ Brien, Æ Mak, Gurriers, Ailbhe Reddy, MELTS, April, Jyellowl, Somebody’s Child, Junior Brother, YARD, Caleb Kunle, and many more.

The festival line-up aims to achieve a 50/50 gender balance.

The Conference

For artists and delegates, Ireland Music Week gives them a chance to learn and develop their craft, and create new opportunities with agents, labels, bookers, music supervisors, and services from all over the world. From artist-facing workshops and panels, to master classes and speed sessions, our conference gives news artists, and those who support them, the tools and network they need to make their way in the music industry.