The Hard Working Class Heroes festival is upon us again, with 2015 marking the event's 13th year.

If you're not familiar with it, it's a showcase festival for up-and-coming/unsigned/independent Irish acts, who play in seven venues in and around Dublin's Temple Bar area across three nights.

If you are familiar with it, you'll be aware that it's a great place to spot local acts before they make it big; names like Hozier, Villagers and Fight Like Apes have all passed through the ranks over the years.

A HWCH convention also runs during each day, with many free talks, panels and workshops for both fans and artists.

The festival kicks off this Thursday, so we've chosen 8 acts that you should make a point of seeing.

1) ANDERSON – The Grand Social, Friday, 10.10pm

Daniel Anderson has made headlines over the last few weeks thanks to the brilliant promo for his debut album 'Patterns'. Formerly known as frontman of indie-rockers The Rags, the Dubliner's solo material is a different proposition with gorgeous string arrangements, piano and guitar-based melodies and thoughtful, well-written songs.

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2) INNI-K – The Grand Social, Thursday, 8.10pm

Kildare's Eithne Ní Catháin released her first album under her 'Inni-K' moniker last year. 'The King Has Two Horse's Ears' beautifully blends elements of contemporary folk and pop with her trad background for a sound that's both refreshing and eminently listenable.

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3) HARE SQUEAD – The Academy (Main Room), Thursday, 10.15pm

Although they have yet to release anything significant, this young African-Irish hip-hop trio have been gathering momentum over the last year and have impressed with their numerous online uploads. Songs like 'Come Outside' and 'Beautawful World' are hugely accomplished, however, so is it only a matter of time before they're picked up? Time will tell. Until then, check them out this weekend.

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4) BITCH FALCON - Hangar, Friday, 9.30pm

We're extremely curious about this rock band, who reportedly turned in a few incendiary performances at this year's Electric Picnic. Despite only forming last year, their recorded output sounds tight, self-assured and most of all, bloody loud. We're not sure that it's the most original sound ever, but we're willing to be won over on Friday night. 

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5) JONI – The Academy (Main Room), Friday. 8.55pm

This is late night electronica, Wicklow style. Bray woman Joni is a classically trained violinist, but her ghostly vocals and contemporary garage/pop combine for something along the lines of a demonic version of Kiesza. It sounds great, but will her live show have the presence to match the music? Only one way to find out.

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6) THE ALTERED HOURS – Hangar, Thursday, 8.50pm

Cork natives will no doubt be familiar with these guys, although they don't venture up Dublin way much – so now a perfect time to catch them, ahead of their debut album release in January. If you have a penchant for swirling, shoegazey psychedelic rock that sounds like a throwback in the best way possible, make sure you factor them in to your evening.

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7) JENNIFER EVANS – The Workman's Club, Saturday, 10.40pm

Surely one of Ireland's most underrated artists, Jennifer Evans' 2014 debut album 'Works from the Dip and Foul' proved what a singular, offbeat artist she is. There's jazz in there, there's pop in there, there's rock in there; it all adds up to some bloody good songwriting, a knockout voice and properly brilliant musicianship. Don't miss it.

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8) OH BOLAND – Hangar, Saturday, 7.30pm

Like scuffled, ragged, rough 'round the edges but undeniably charming indie pop-rock? Then Oh Boland will be right up your street. With close ties to the Popical Island crew, the Galway trio follow a similar cheeky brat-rock trajectory to many of that collective's artists, plus a healthy dash of Weezer. Above all else, they're good fun.

 

See hwch.net for the full Hard Working Class Heroes listings.