Frequently Asked Questions
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What is Ireland Music Week?
Ireland Music Week (formerly Hard Working Class Heroes) is an independent festival and conference dedicated to showcasing the very best new, emerging and export-ready artists from across Ireland.
The festival will take place from October 1st - 3rd 2025. The IMW Music Conference will take place across 3 days with the music showcases taking place on Thursday day and night, and Friday night. The festival showcases 50 Irish artists and the IMW Music Conference features panels, workshops and networking sessions with some of the most influential bookers, managers, record labels, booking agents, publishers, music journalists and more.
Like SXSW (Austin), The Great Escape (Brighton) and ESNS (Groningen), Ireland Music Week is an event with a proven pedigree when it comes to showcasing new and exciting talent. The key difference is that the global music industry come to IMW to find new Irish acts only.
How do I showcase?
You can apply to play the festival by creating a profile on Breaking Tunes & applying through the 'Opportunities' section on your Dashboard once open. For Ireland Music Week 2025, applications will open in February.
When do I need to apply by?
Stay tuned for information early next year about applying for Ireland Music Week 2025.
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
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.
Will I receive feedback if I'm not successful in my application?
Due to the record number of applications this year, our small team will not be in a position to provide individual feedback to applicants.
Applicants are welcome to book a free consultancy in order to get general advice for their careers.
When will the lineup be announced?
The 50 showcasing artists are usually announced in June.
When will tickets go on sale?
Early Bird tickets for 2025 are on sale now via Eventbrite.
When will the day-by-day schedule be announced?
The day-by-day schedule will be announced in September.
Are there ID or minimum age requirements to enter the event?
Yes. To attend the IMW evening showcases, ticket holders must be over 18.
How can I find out more about Music From Ireland and international showcases?
You can follow MFI on Twitter and Instagram, and find out more about international showcases and more by signing up to our newsletter.
Info on this year’s international showcasing events can be found at the Music From Ireland website here.
Further questions?
If your question has not been answered here, please email info@irelandmusicweek.com.
Can I volunteer for Ireland Music Week?
Yes, you can apply to volunteer.
How can I stay up to date with Ireland Music Week?
You can stay up to date with all our latest news by following our social media at the links below. You can also sign up for our newsletter.