Ireland Music Week is delighted to announce that it will be going ahead with the international-facing showcase and conference in October 2021, which will take place from 5th-8th. The festival is now calling on Irish artists to apply to play.

Log onto https://www.irelandmusicweek.com and click on the “APPLY TO PLAY” button – applications will be through the artists’ Breaking Tunes profile. Closing date for applications is Friday 18th June at 6pm.

As with so many other events, in these COVID19 times, IMW will adapt the festival to suit the restrictions. In order to allow 2021 applicants the best possible opportunity to reach international music industry professionals, IMW will continue to monitor the reopening trials for live music venues and lifting of travel restrictions before making a final decision on whether IMW 2021 will be a virtual, in- person or a hybrid event.

Angela Dorgan, CEO of First Music Contact explains:

“Last year IMW was one of the first global events to go fully virtual and it was an incredible success all told. We had a significant increase in the number of buyers, bookers and industry who were able to virtually attend the event and there were a lot of extra benefits to the artists post event with the availability of high-end live videos produced. However, we know that nothing quite replaces a live experience, so that will be our main aim for 2021, we will be led by our international buyers and our artists and official guidelines on what might work best for the event in 2021”.

Up to 50 acts will have the chance to play and take part in this internationally-recognised event showcasing Ireland’s best emerging talent.

For artists of all levels, the conference at the festival will give them a chance to learn and develop their craft and create new opportunities with agents, labels, bookers, music supervisors and services from all over the world.

Christine Sisk, Director, Culture Ireland added “The 2020 Ireland Music Week has resulted in a number of artists securing label, music supervision and agent deals as well as festival bookings and international showcasing opportunities. Culture Ireland is pleased to continue that support for IMW 2021 to showcase Irish bands in whatever mode is possible given  safety  concerns and restrictions in order that artists in the commercial music sector in Ireland can maintain their profile and develop their careers”.

The conference will continue to include dedicated B2B elements to facilitate the needs of AIM Ireland, along with panels, workshops and one-to-one meetings for the artists with international professionals.

Artist applications now open, details via https://www.irelandmusicweek.com/apply

Some of last year’s big successes to progress from the festival include Denise Chaila, Fears, CMAT, Tebi Rex, Dark Tropics, Nealo, Dani Larkin, A. Smyth, Luz, Rachael Lavelle and many more.

A selection of last year’s performances can be viewed here – https://bit.ly/3bPEiun

Since its inception in 2003, the festival has showcased many of Ireland’s best-known acts including Fontaines DC, David Keenan, Kynsy, Alex Gough, Aoife Nessa Frances, Pillow Queens, THUMPER,  Soulé, Daithí, whenyoung, Bitch Falcon, Jafaris, Chasing Abbey, Saint Sister, Wyvern Lingo, Jealous of the Birds, Fangclub, Touts, The Academic, Choice Music Prize winners Rusangano Family, Villagers, 2013’s breakthrough act Hozier, along with Girl Band, Jape, The Coronas, Talos, Le Boom, Loah, Soak, Hazey Haze, All Tvvins, Sinead O’ Brien, Æ Mak, Kitt Phillippa, Ailbhe Reddy, MELTS, April, Jyellowl, Somebody’s Child, Junior Brother,  and more.

First Music Contact, who run Ireland Music Week work with Irish acts from the very beginning. This annual showcase is an opportunity to offer Irish acts some vital exposure provided by the stellar mix of influential international and Irish delegates. FMC also run Music From Ireland, the Irish music export office.