Ireland’s annual music showcase and conference Hard Working Class Heroes festival is changing its name. It will now be known as Ireland Music Week and will expand to a five-day event from 1st-5th October 2019.

From humble beginnings in 2003 HWCH has become an integral part of the Irish music soundscape. Much like a childhood nickname the festival had outgrown its moniker and it was time for a change. Rebranding to Ireland Music Week will allow the festival to broaden its horizons and expand its remit.

Additions to this core programming will include a dedicated B 2 B day to facilitate the needs of the newly formed FMC-founded AIM Ireland, along with other offerings from new strategic partners introducing new audiences for Irish music around Europe as well as more networking and masterclasses to be announced closer to the dates.

“The new name will more accurately represent the strategic role of the festival in launching export-ready Irish artists to global prominence at our export supported events such as Eurosonic, SXSW, The Great Escape, and more” says Angela Dorgan, CEO of First Music Contact. “Ireland Music Week will also expand to develop the infrastructure of the Irish music industry as a whole”.

Applications to perform at the festival open in May via breakingtunes.com.