Music showcase and conference Ireland Music Week is now seeking artists to perform at this year’s event. The event, which is run by First Music Contact, will be held from 5 to 8 October and will showcase fifty acts across a range of genres.

In 2020, Ireland Music Week was held completely online due to the pandemic. A decision has yet to be made on the format of this year’s edition. A statement from First Music Contact said:

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.

Artists wishing to apply can do so before 18 June, through Breaking Tunes, First Music Contact’s online portal for Irish musicians. Applications will be judged by a panel of industry professionals including festival bookers, managers, music journalists, publishers, booking agents and more. 

Angela Dorgan, CEO of First Music Contact, commented:

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.

Last year, Ireland Music Week showcased artists such as alt-pop band Beyond the Wash, singer-songwriter Anna Mieke, folk duo Varo, hip hop artist MuRli, indie-alternative band Bleeding Heart Pigeons, pop singer CMAT, rap artist Denise Chaila, singer-songwriter Dani Larkin and more. 

For more, visit: www.irelandmusicweek.com/apply