The Hot Press Top Picks for Hard Working Class Heroes

Team Hot Press is strapping the roller skates for a helter-skelter three days criss-crossing Dublin for the Hard Working Class Heroes festival. With seven venues across the city hosting over 100 acts, there’s certainly plenty to take in!
We trust, of course, that some of the major names on the bill - Fight Like Apes, The Academic and Ham SandwicH, par example - are sure to draw big crowds, but here’s a collection of acts that are more than worthy of your time and attention over the coming days.
Ciaran Lavery
Thursday, Grand Social, 8:10
A rare chance to catch the hotly-tipped Northern Irish troubadour.

God Knows & mynameisjohn
Thursday, Button Factory, 10:00
Two Clare men with a thirst for the ruckus - Irish Hip Hop at its finest!

Carriages
Thursday, Workmans, 10:40
The Dublin electro duo sample the sounds of the city to give life to the mix.

The Hard Ground
Friday, The Grand Social, 8:50
Cork based alt-roots set up supporting the release of their excellent Triptych 2 EP.

Buffalo Sunn
Friday, Grand Social, 9:30
Six Dubliners specialising in surf-tinged indie pop.

Elastic Sleep
Friday, The Mercantile, 10:40
Melancholic melodies and visceral hooks from Cork dream-pop merchants.

Jet Setter
Saturday, Bad Bob’s, 9:20
Fresh Dublin outfit serving up no-nonsense indie rock.

SPIES
Saturday, Bad Bob’s, 11:20
Proud and worthy staples of Dublin’s indie scene.

Cloud Castle Lake
Saturday Button Factory, 10:30
The Dublin collective earned a fearsome reputation even before the release of their Dandelion EP.

Kobina
Saturday, Twisted Pepper, 10:00
One of the capital’s most exciting producers at one of its best electronic venues.