Ireland Music Week - Artist Applications 2024


Ireland Music Week is delighted to announce that the festival will return to Dublin venues in October. The international-facing showcase and conference, now in its twenty-second year, will take place from October 1st - 4th.

Showcase applications for 2024 are now closed.


We were blown away by the volume of applications again this year (almost 750!). A huge thank you to everyone who applied to showcase. All applications will be assessed by our external panel of international music industry professionals over the coming weeks.

 
 


Applications were open for 6 weeks: from 12th February to 25th March. 50 Irish acts will have the chance to showcase in October, with the line-up being announced in June.

Around 90 international delegates will once again attend, with buyers and bookers from the likes of ESNS, The Great Escape, Primavera Pro, c/o Pop, ATC, CAA and many more.

For artists of all levels, the conference at the festival will give 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.

Listen back to our Artist Information Zoom below


We asked all applicants to read this important information before applying:

  • You will need to apply for Ireland Music Week through Breaking Tunes. You will need to create a profile on Breaking Tunes (if you don't already have one). You will then find the application form in the 'Opportunities' section on your Dashboard.

  • Please make sure your most recent and most relevant tracks are on your Breaking Tunes profile (you can remove any unreleased tracks once the judging process is complete).

  • Please include all your social media links on your Breaking Tunes profile description (e.g. Spotify, Soundcloud, Bandcamp, YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, Instagram). If there is no music on your Breaking Tunes link, your judge will not be able to score you and you may be eliminated from selection.

  • We only accept applications from artists living in Ireland or Irish artists living overseas. We do not accept applications from international artists.

  • Applications will close on Monday March 25th 2024 at 5pm (P.S. Take your time with the application - there is no benefit in submitting it early).

  • All applicants, successful or otherwise, will be notified by email in late May 2024.

  • If you are selected to showcase, we will be in touch with you about your performance and preparation for showcasing at the festival. Ireland Music Week 2024 will pay showcasing artists expenses of €500 but we cannot offer payment for travel and accommodation for Irish artists who are living overseas.


How do the artists get selected to showcase? 

A panel of national and international industry assess the applications. The panel includes festival bookers, labels, managers, music journalists, publishers, booking agents, and many more from across the global industry. The highest rated artists go forward to make up the final line-up.


How are the applications judged?

The judging criteria is split into 5 categories:

  • Songwriting ability 

  • Quality of songs

  • Quality of recording

  • Gut feeling 

  • Export Readiness


Will I receive feedback if I'm not successful in my application?

All of the members of the assessment panel are required to provide feedback on the artists in their categories. The feedback will be constructive and will give you a better chance of successfully applying in the future. There will be an opportunity to apply for feedback once all applications have been contacted. More details to follow.


Any advice on applying?

It may sound obvious, but put your best foot forward to give yourself the best possible chance. Please make sure your Breaking Tunes profile is completely up to date, your biography is short, to the point and interesting, your photos are of the highest possible quality/resolution and all your social media and streaming links are working properly. As well as looking at and reviewing the bio and plans on your application form,the assessment panel will be reviewing Breaking Tunes profiles so it is important that you present your Breaking Tunes profile to them at its very best. It is also vital to demonstrate how a slot at Ireland Music Week fits into your plan for 2024/2025 and beyond.

If I’ve showcased at Ireland Music Week already, can I apply again?

Of course! In some cases, artists have been selected to showcase more than once at Ireland Music Week. Please note, however, that if you are planning to apply to Ireland Music Week having showcased at the festival already, you will need to clearly demonstrate in your plan how playing again at the festival will advantage your career. Generally speaking, it is not the norm for artists to play two years in a row.