The Hard Working Class Heroes organisers have confirmed that this year’s rockfest will run from August 26 to 28.

With dozens of showcase spots up for grabs, acts should make sure their three-track demos get to HWCH c/o the Federation Of Irish Music Collectives, 28 North Lotts, Dublin 1 no later than Monday June 27.

For the first time, the 2005 Hard Working Class Heroes will also feature a selection of the UK’s top emerging artists.

“As we got involved in the Music From Ireland brand this year, we thought opening our festivals to artists from other countries was nothing less than other territories do for our bands,” explains the FMC’s Angela Dorgan. “We’re excited to try it out and see how it works.”

With Humanzi, Joe Chester, Declan O’Rourke, Iain Archer and Mainline just a few of the acts who showcased last year, HWCH 3 is likely to attract a bumper crop of A&R personages.

“We got amazing feedback from bands and punters alike and felt we needed to deliver just as exciting a festival this year with a couple of surprises,” says Brian Carroll of last year’s proceedings.

The new www.hwch.net site goes live on May 27.