Christmas Catch Up!

Christmas Songs

We have added two original Christmas songs, written by Darren and Bryan Steele, to SoundCloud. We hope you enjoy them.

Radio Interviews



Listen to Darren chat to Marty Miller on Dublin's biggest rock station Radio Nova about the ongoing rumours surrounding him and rock supergroup Velvet Revolver.

Darren chatting to Marty Miller - Radio Nova



Listen to Darren chatting to Paul Sheridan and Donal Sheerin at TCR FM in Tramore ahead of the High Kings show in Waterford.
The 15 minute interview follows Darren's song 'What Could Have Been'.

Darren chatting to Paul Sheridan and Donal Sheerin - TCR FM



Listen to Darren chatting with his friend, singer/songwriter, and DJ, Marc Roberts on Galway Bay FM

Darren chatting to Marc Roberts - Galway Bay FM

A photo of Darren and Marc together from March 1997, when Marc pipped him to the post in Song for Ireland.

More Photos from Darren's Early Career

Skyfall Premiere

“Delighted to announce that yours truly will be the official after show party entertainment for The Skyfall premiere.“

“This was left on my piano for me. Sweet.”

“We might be a month late, but just saw Skyfall. Wow!
Well worth the wait. Incredible!!”


 Catching Up with a Friend!

“Spent a great afternoon with my Riverdance boss John McColgan. Good times.”

Solo Gigs - Lillies Library

“Lillies is nuts tonight. Miss Universe contingent in. : ) Hopping. Good times.”

“Heading to Lillies Library. Live at 12.30am”

“I am rocking out tonight with a loony bunch of mo-fo's that are the cast and crew of the upcoming mammoth tv series The Vikings. Best fun I've had in ages in Lillies”

“On route to Lillies library to play a private Xmas party at 10pm
Fffffffffrrrrrrreeeeeezzzzzzziiiin!!”

“Crazy people in Lillies! What a night. Brilliant fun. Best singalong crowd in ages.”


Party Time!

“Looking forward to meeting the wife and heading to the launch of the new Level 5 with Mary Byrne ISPCC Christmas single tonight. Should be fun!”

www.showbiz.ie

'What About Me' - Richie Hayes Album Launch

" ‘What About Me’ The new album from the star of "The Voice of Ireland" Richie Hayes......is released and available in shops today and will be on iTunes early next week.
I am delighted to say that Richie has recorded 2 songs that I co wrote for the album.

"Walk You Home" written with Don Mescall
"God Be With Those Day's" written with Brian Dunphy

Check it out!”

BUY ALBUM

“Sound checked and ready to go with Richie Hayes album launch tonight at The Theatre Royal Waterford. Brian and I will join him for a few songs during the show and my good friend Paul Farrell will no doubt have them rolling with laughter during his comedy slot! Should be a good night.”
 

Myself, Brian and Paul Farrell

“Had great time last night back on home territory at Richie's album launch. The guy is so talented!! An absolute all rounder with a huge voice.
Loved catching up with everyone and really enjoyed the fun while singing with Richie and Brian!
Paul as expected floored them! We had a great catch up.
If you haven't done so already. Pick up Richies new album "What about Me"
Great stuff.”


Official Website

Darren's official website darrenholden.net was launched on Christmas Eve 2010. We will be two years old this year and have had over 110,000 hits. Thank you all for the support, we hope you enjoy visiting the site which covers latest news and archives from all aspects of Darren's career both solo and with the High Kings.

The Official Photo!!

“I bet it was the luck we brought him on Paddy's Day : )”

New High Kings Album in Spring 2013!

“About to head to Galway for what may be the final recording session for the new album, due to be released in February. I am wearing Black and Amber. Good or bad idea? : )”

“Spent the evening listening to the first mixes of the brand new High Kings album. : )”


Friendship Ball - Grosvenor Hotel London

A couple of photos from the ball in London in aid of Crumlin Children's Hospital and Great Ormond St Hospital

Together for Christmas

Anita Daly of Daly Communications, the premier Irish and Celtic entertainment promotion company in the US, has put together a magnificent, eclectic selection of yuletide cheer featuring original Christmas songs and standards titled: “Together For Christmas: A Contemporary Celtic Christmas Collection”.

The tracklist includes 'DRIVING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS by THE HIGH KINGS

Anita Daly says, “This album is a labor of love that I have wanted to do for a long time, it not only represents the best in contemporary Irish/Celtic music, musicians and song writing but some of the amazing artists that have been on my roster and I am so proud to have worked with these past 17 years.”

www.togetherforchristmas.com

BUY ON ITUNES


The Irish Winter Tour

“Tonight at 8pm The High Kings return to The Cork Opera House. Really looking forward to seeing you all there”

“Cork! Thank you for an amazing night and welcome! We loved it. See you soon.”

“The High Kings are almost sold out tonight for our show at The County Arms in Birr. Grab the last few tickets while you can. Local legend Mark Boylan will be opening for us!!”

“Thank you Birr! Great night.
On the road home!”

“On route to The Strand Theatre in Carrick on Suir for an 8pm show. if we don;t freeze first that is!! Yikes...brrrrrrr”

“Heading to The University Concert Hall this evening for an 8.30pm High Kings show! Always a great crowd for us. Who's coming???”

“Limerick!!
Unreal night. Fantastic crowd! Thanks so much for a brilliant time. See you all in 2013.”

“Heading homeward later this afternoon to play The Theatre Royal in Waterford. We are onstage at 8pm.”
 

“Waterford!! What can I say !
The best show ever at the Theatre Royal. Full house and boy was it loud! Great to see all the Mooncoin gang afterwards. Thanks to everyone for coming out to see us.”

A nice review of the Waterford show from Socialbridge
 
http://socialbridge.wordpress.com/2012/12/07/the-high-kings-gatherings-from-ireland-2/


“On route to The Tullamore Court Hotel. We are live at 8.30pm.”

“Tullamore thanks for a fantastic night! Loved it. Brilliant vibe.”

“Now that was fun!! Dunphy and I gave it loads today in Ashbourne. Great crowd and loadsa laughs.
On to Mullingar soon for a 10pm HK show!”

“Mullingar! Mental. Amazing night!!! Loved it.”

“On the Road Again. Tonight The High Kings are live in concert at The Market Square Theatre, Armagh. Onstage around 8pm.”

“Fantastic crowd in Armagh. Huge volume and great craic.
Good times.”

“Grabbing some lunch soon, strolling around Armagh in the drizzle and then on to Strabane for tonight's show at 8pm.
Tomorrow at 12.30pm I will be chatting over to phone to Marc Roberts on Galway Bay FM.”

“Absolutely brilliant night in Strabane. Best audience probably all year. Great fun.
However I am totally heartbroken at the news coming out of America about yet another senseless shooting spree. Innocent little children who were most likely excited about Santa and Christmas.
RIP beautiful children and adults who have been lost.”

"We've played the INEC many times. Tonight was one of the best nights here. Huge crowd and an amazing vibe. Just had the best laugh with the fantastic James Cramer who was out special guest tonight. Just one extra word on tonight. I always dedicate "Fields of Glory" to the football or hurling teams of whatever county we are performing in. Tonight I dedicated it to Paudi O' Shea and the entire audience rose and applauded him. Truly touching."


Legofied!

"Unbelievable. We are LEGO!!"

 

Finally from Darren........

A few other bits of news and status updates

“50 years ago today a record was released by a new group from Liverpool. It was called 'Love Me Do' You know the rest.”

“Remembering my old buddy Stephen Gately today on his third anniversary. Gone but never forgotten.”

“Sending heartfelt and deepest sympathy tonight to our dear friends Dearbhla Fay and Fergal on the passing of their beloved dad, and The Chieftains legend, Martin Fay.
Another Irish music legend joining the session in the sky.
RIP Martin.”

“Sending prayers and best wishes to all my East Coast US family. Hoping that Sandy isn't as catastrophic as feared.”

“Thinking of you all in NYC, the Jersey shore and all along the east coast tonight. It's about to get ugly so please stay safe.”

“My dear friend Ken has made it to base camp Mt Everest!!
All in aid of Our Lady's children's hospital.
Here he is at the top with his High Kings tee shirt!
So totally proud of you bud.”
 

"RIP Paudi O' Shea . Kerry and the GAA world have lost a true original and a legend."


That's all the news and updates for 2012! We'll be back in the new year with all the news from Darren and the High Kings, including all the news on the brand new High Kings album due for release the first week in March.


We wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Thank you all for your continued support.

Darren & the DH Team

The Gathering, Up for the Match, Friendship Ball

    EXCITING UPDATE FROM DARREN

20th September!

"Day 2 of of 3 day recording session done here in Galway. Really getting excited now about the new High Kings album. So much happening and the material sounds really great, and different!

In other news, I will be doing a live phone interview on KCLR FM this Saturday at 1.25pm with my buddy, and mentalist extraordinaire Keith Barry, who is the guest dj for the 12-2pm show. Should be fun.

On Saturday night at 9.55pm on RTE 1, The High Kings will be appearing on "Up For The Match" to celebrate the eve of The All Ireland Football Final.

Then on Monday, I will be doing a live phone chat with Sue Nunn on KCLR FM at 11.20am, to talk about my role as an ambassador for Kilkenny to kickstart "The Gathering" 2013!!

As most of you will have heard, next year is a major national event dedicated to bringing our Irish abroad, home to celebrate everything about our heritage. So please come along at 7pm next Monday, Sept 24th to The Newpark Hotel Kilkenny where Brian Cody and myself will interact with the public to hear and put the best ideas forward for next years proceedings.

I would like to deeply thank The Gathering committee from Kilkenny for approaching me to be a part of this very special year long event."    

Sunshine between takes in Galway

* Listen to a recording of Darren's interview on KCLR with his pal Keith Barry

CLICK HERE

Up For The Match

The High Kings were honoured to be asked to both open and close the RTE 1 Up for the Match Programe on Saturday night. They opened the show with Step It Out Mary, and played out at the end with the very appropriate Rocky Road to Dublin. The programe was a celebration on the eve of the All Ireland Football final at Croke Park between Donegal and Mayo.

You can watch a few words from Darren from the soundcheck at RTE, and both their performances, on the videos below.

The Gathering Ireland 2013

Darren is proud to have been asked to be an ambassador for his county along side Brian Cody, the manager of his beloved Kilkenny Cats.

You can read a Kilkenny People article about Kilkenny's plans for The Gathering Ireland 2013, including Darren's involvement, on the link below.

CLICK HERE

Listen to Darren talking to Sue Nunn on KCLR about The Gathering 2013 for Kilkenny


CLICK HERE


Kilkenny People article following The Gathering meeting

CLICK HERE to read the online version

"Had a great time back home in Kilkenny last night. I am honoured and proud to be an ambassador for Kilkenny for The Gathering 2013. It promises to be a fantastic year not only for KK but Ireland. There were some great idea's offered for event's in the city and county that will need organizing soon. I have one in the pipeline that will require a huge effort so stay tuned for details.
Huge thanks to Mayor Seán Ó HArgáin for the very nice introduction that he gave me.
It really was a great moment."

We will of course bring you more news about Darren's role as ambassador, and the The Gathering Ireland 2013 plans for Kilkenny, once the planning of events gets underway.


The Friendship Ball - London

"Tomorrow night we play a very special show at The Grosvenor Hotel in London in aid of Our Lady's Children's hospital and Great Ormonde St Hospital.
We close out the gala event that will also include Alexandra Burke and the legendary Bryan Ferry from Roxy Music."

"London calling."

"About to head back to the Grosvenor Hotel for tonights event. We close the show and share the bill with Alexandra Burke and Bryan Ferry. Plus there is a very famous guitarist from the worlds biggest band in attendance!"

"Chatted to The Edge after he duetted with Bryan Ferry on Carrickfergus and just before our slot at The Friendship ball in London. Amazing night!"

"Thanks to everyone in Athy for a great night tonight. Stormer from start to finish.
Finally we are off the road for a while and wrapping up the busiest summer since we launched. Very grateful to everyone who came to all the concerts and festivals. Next week we spend more time on the new album which we can't wait for you to hear!"

Cat That Got The Cream!

"Heading to Croker in a bit to see 2 great teams go at it for the 3rd time this year. Hopefully this evening we will be victorious. COME ON THE CATS!!!"

"The greatest hurling team of all time just got greater. Epic. Stunning. Unreal. Legendary cats.
So totally proud. All Ireland champs 2 years in a row!! Yessssssssss!!!!!!!
Might teach Joe to be quiet from now on! : )"

"Omg. A bus load of KK fans just screamed out ' Go on The High Kings' outside Trinity College. What an amazing day!!"

 

That's all the news for now.

Dates for the tour will be posted just as soon as they are confirmed on the official High Kings website.



As always, thanks for your continued support.

Darren & the DH Team

Newcastle WestFest, Sweden & Denmark

Newcastle WestFest

"One of our final summer concerts takes place tonight in Newcastle West Co Limerick.
Should be a blast. Looking forward to seeing some good friends there."

"Some of tonight's crowd in Newcastle West."

"Newcastle West. Fantastic!!!
Gig of the summer. Literally thousands in the square and an unbelievable atmosphere.
Thanks to the organisers who looked after us so well.
Thanks as always to the legend that is Adam O'Sullivan for rocking the finale with us!"

All photoslide photos courtesy of Charlie Brock

Clips of The High Kings singing Dirty Old Town, Red Is The Rose, Star of the County Down, and Rare Old Times at the show in Newcastle West.

News from Sweden and Denmark Tour

"Arrived in Gothenburg Sweden to a great day, with a massive buzz around the city. Big music festival takes place this weekend. We are onstage tonight at 8pm. Tomorrow we rise early to take the ferry to Denmark where we kick off 4 shows there. Hope I can grab some of the game online.
Come on The Cats!"

"After 5 years of touring with The High Kings, tonight we walked onstage to a tornado of noise for our very first Swedish show. Possibly the loudest and greatest audience we have had to date. And that's saying something considering we have just had 6 amazing German show. Incredible stuff. A very young crowd which is even more positive for future tours. Thanks Gothenburg. One to cherish forever."

All photoslide photos courtesy of Emma Broberg 

Denmark

Aarlborg! 

"Aalborg! Amazing crowd. Great show again tonight. Loved it.
Great craic at The Irish House afterwards. Really looking forward to a day off tomorrow and counting the days 'til I see my little family at home!"

"Best lunch in town.

Sat outside and chilled with the locals." 

"Now that's a big one!
Irish house last night."

"My home for tonight in Skive"

"Tonight's theatre in Skive. Sold out. The stage is set"

"Fantastic crowd tonight in Skive. Amazing theatre and brilliant atmosphere.
On to Copenhagen tomorrow morning."

"Pulled over my curtains to this view at 7am"

"Tonight's Venue"

"Thanks for a great night Copenhagen. We will be back next year.

One more show to go!"

"Strolling around Viborg"

"Viborg Press"

 "Front of House"

"What a fantastic way to end this tour. Viborg.....thanks you. Brilliant crowd that demanded 3 encores. Great night.
Denmark, Sweden and Germany...thank you!
See you in 2013."

That's all the latest news from Sweden, Denmark and the Newcastle Westfest. The High Kings are now back in to the studio to continue recording original material for their new album, which is expected to be released during the first half of 2013

We will be back with more news soon!


Thanks for your continued support.

Darren & the DH Team

German Tour Round Up 2012

"Good Morning Berlin!"

"Dresden!! Thank you so much. Amazing crowd and the best welcome ever to Germany.
On to Berlin tomorrow for the second show.”

"The great Dresden audience asking politely for an encore tonight."

“This is the most amazing Cake I have seen and tasted. Yes folks....cake! Baked by our friend Karin Loffel. Unreal. Thomas and Karin have been unreal to us for 4 years and we are so grateful to them for everything.”

"Tonight's venue for show. Beautiful old church in Berlin"

"Berlin on an Autumn Sunday afternoon. Just had a very nice stroll among the locals who sure know how to chill out. Fantastic vibe."

"Fantastic crowd in Berlin tonight. Beautiful venue and the craziest crowd in ages. Loved it. 

Overnight drive now to Mannheim where we perform tomorrow night."

Thought we would share some photos of the High Kings from their Berlin concert.
These are Getty Images which are protected.

Getty Images - High Kings in Berlin 

"Just arrived in Mannheim to a beautiful sunny day. Another lovely vibe at the venue. Chilling' with a coffee before going outside to explore the neighbourhood."

 

"Courtesy of Karins brother, genuine High Kings Ale brewed in Germany." "Chilling for after tonight's show which we have just been informed is a sell out. " 

 

"Mannheim!! What an incredible night. Always a good sign when the show is held up for 20 minutes to fit more people in. Really great audience and the loudest crowd do far. Overnight drive to Hannover and a day off. : )"

"Holden's Ale. Brewed only in Germany" 

"Hamburg venue. Looks like something out of Sherlock Holmes."

 

"Incredible audience tonight in Hamburg. Massive volume all the way through and that was from them!

Night to remember."


Photo courtesy of Marcus Jaap

"Local press today in Bielefeld" 

 
"Bielefeld"

"Bielefeld, thanks for an amazing night! What a crowd, what a vibe. Full throttle.
On to Dusseldorf for the final German show tomorrow."

"Dusseldorf Savoy Theatre" 

"What a way to wrap the German leg of our European tour. Incredible crowd tonight in Dusseldorf Savoy Theatre. Mental craic.
Up in 5 hours to go to airport and fly to Gothenburg Sweden.
Thanks Germany. We won't forget it!"

Special thanks to the fans that have shared their photos with us.

We hope you have enjoyed all the news from the German tour.

Thanks for your continued support

Darren and the DH Team