Hard Working Class Heroes have opened applications for their festival in September which showcases some of Ireland’s most promising talents in music.

The showcase is monitored by international agents, festival bookers, record labels, journalists and managers amongst others.

This year, 50 Irish acts will get the chance to perform at the festival which runs from 27-29 September.

RTÉ 2FM have also joined the festival as the official radio partner.

“With bands securing agents, managers and some label deals as well as a huge jump in national and international profile, a slot at HWCH is something of a bucket list achievement for a lot of developing Irish acts” said HWCH Director Angela Dorgan. “The payoff is also on view in the record amount of Irish acts on the bill at all our domestic festivals.”

“It has never been more important to showcase Irish talent.”

The festival has been running since 2003 and has seen the likes of Hozier, Saint Sister, Villagers, Otherkin and The Coronas perform.

David Keenan, Fontaines DC, Lilla Vargen and Le Boom were amongst those to feature at the festival last year and have all gone to perform across Europe and, for some, America.

To register for the festival, log on to hwch.net and click on the “BANDS APPLY HERE” button - applications will be through the artists’ Breaking Tunes profile.  Closing date for applications is 6 July.