28/09/2018

Hard Working Class Heroes Festival Launched By Minister For Culture

The annual Hard Working Class Heroes (HWCH) festival has been launched by the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Josepha Madigan.

The showcase and conference attracts key members of the global music industry to Ireland to engage with new and emerging Irish music in some of Dublin's best live music venues.

The HWCH conference kicked off on Thursday afternoon, 27 September, with Business to Business presentations and continued into a substantial networking event that evening at the Chocolate Factory which will see Irish and International industry delegates come together with Irish artists. The conference continues with workshops and panels over Friday and Saturday. 42 delegates from 15 different countries will be in the city over the weekend to attend showcases and take part in the conference. The live showcases comprising of 50 acts from diverse genres will take place over Friday 28 and Saturday 29 September.

Over its 16 years in existence, HWCH has played a key role in achieving successful careers, notably for artists like Hozier, The Coronas, Villagers, James Vincent McMorrow, Fontaines and Loah whose successes on the international stage are testament to how important HWCH is for future career opportunities.

Speaking at the launch, Minister Madigan said: "The presence of so many bookers, agents and publishers here again at this year's showcase and conference is a testament to the talent we have in this country. This event is so important as with international delegates supported by Culture Ireland of my Department, the touring and career opportunities for our musicians both at home and abroad can be further advanced."

The event organisers, First Music Contact, are funded by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht through the Arts Council, to resource the popular music sector and through Culture Ireland, enabling them to welcome the largest ever number of international delegates including managers, labels, agents, publishers, bookers, buyers and many more to the festival.

(MH/CM)

Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

12 December 2011
U2 Launch Music Training For Ireland's Children
Irish rock band U2 have launched a programme to support music training access for children and young people in Ireland. The programme, called Music Generation, is being funded by U2 and the Ireland Funds and aims to help children and young people to access performance music education.
12 October 2010
Irish Firm Scores Victory For File Sharing
An Irish internet provider has scored a major victory for file sharers in Dublin's High Court yesterday, defeating the implementation of the "three strike" rule.
09 April 2010
Consider Nuclear Power, Says Expert
Depletion of oil and gas reserves, concerns about energy security and the environmental threat of greenhouse gases means Ireland must consider nuclear power. That's according to Dr Bertrand Barré, Scientific Advisor to the French energy company, Areva Group.
30 October 2007
Cowen Popular As Budget Decisions Loom
Finance Minister Brian Cowen is being kept busy by various groups – each lobbying for a break in the forthcoming 2008 Budget. One of the latest to knock his door in advance of the December 5th Budget Day was the Combat Poverty Agency. It is calling on the Government to increase education grants for lower income groups in the upcoming budget.
24 January 2019
Global Ireland 2025 Conference Takes Place In Dublin
Culture Ireland's Global Ireland 2025 Conference is taking place at Dublin Castle today, 24 January, where stakeholders will discuss the country's global reputation for creativity. More than 250 key stakeholders in the arts world will debate how Ireland can strengthen and advance its creative sector at the day-long conference.