Caught Live: Hard Working Class Heroes 2011, Day One @ Various Venues, Dublin (06.10.11)

HWCH 2011 came charging out of the blocks last Thursday evening, with a diverse bill of acts all looking to showcase their wares and gain new fans across half a dozen Dublin venues. Now in its ninth year, the festival has grown to become the biggest annual shop window for emerging Irish bands in search of some added exposure and perhaps even a management or record deal (the audience each year is normally littered with label representatives and festival bookers).

This year's lineup was nothing if not eclectic, with Thursday night alone offering everything from the giddy boy/girl harmonies of little xs for eyes to an atmospheric exercise in piano minimalism from Mayo native Conor Walsh; from the brazen, high-energy assault of Dublin duo We Cut Corners (who stole the show at the Today FM Vs. 2FM gig in The Button Factory) to the high-camp electro hooks of Bitches With Wolves.

There was a little something for everyone, then, on the opening night, and our busy photographer Colm Kelly managed to snap all of the above and plenty more besides. Simply click on any of the thumbnail images below to view a gallery of his shots.

Go here to check out our coverage from day two of this year's Hard Working Class Heroes festival