Festival Details

After another call for bands to apply, Hard Working Class Heroes 2016 got over 700 applicants and whittled it down to 100 bands chosen by top music industry professionals.

As with every year HWCH brings you top Irish music across a number of venues over a 3 day period of fun. This year HWCH are also delighted to announce the inaugural Conor Walsh Memorial Bursary. In March 2016 an alumni and friend of the festival, Conor Walsh from Mayo, died suddenly. At HWCH this year we will ask all 100 bands participating to vote for the act who most embodies Conor’s talent and bravery among their number. That act will be awarded €2,500 toward a recording or tour bill.

The HWCH well-attended Industry Convention will continue it’s programme of events and activities for 2016 with conferences, mentor sessions, workshops and more.

Since HWCH inception in 2003, the festival has showcased many of Ireland’s best known acts including recent Ivor Novello winner 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.

Bring on another year of trekking around Dublin to quality Irish music!