Opry an Iuir and European Tour Round Up

Emerald Guitars

“Hanging out in London with my Emerald Guitars Artisan X20. A beautiful instrument and a new addition to The a High Kings European Tour.
www.emeraldguitars.com”

 

Darren playing his treasured Emerald Guitar at Union Chapel.

 

Click the Photo below to read the article on Emerald Guitars website.

Opry An Iuir 

Update from HK HQ: “Big thanks to the team at Big Mountain Productions for sending us these great pics from our day filming on Opry an Iúir! Looking forward to seeing the show on Wednesday on TG4”

 Watch the High Kings on Opry An Iuir. The programme is 53 mins long and the High Kings are the main feature throughout the show performing 7 of songs incl Hand Me Down My Bible, Early Morning Rain, Goodnight Irene, and Leaving of Liverpool to finish. They also accompany Nell Ní Chróinín for one of her songs.

 

PLEASE NOTE: This link will expire on 22nd December.

IMRO Number 1 Award

The High Kings being presented with an IMRO Number 1 award for Grace & Glory.

CLICK HERE to read the Hot Press article.

European Tour

"Tour rehearsals in full swing."

#highkings #europeantour

Denmark

“The Danish know how to do gyms.” #copenhagen #hkeurope
 

“Kolding, Skive, and Copenhagen. Thank you so much for the massive welcome back to Denmark. Always great to play here for you lovely folks.
The pic is of tonight's sunset over the capital.”

United Kingdom

Milton Keynes

“Milton Keynes!! Wow!
That was phenomenal. Loudest audience in ages. What an atmosphere.
The UK brought the party tonight!”

#HKUK #graceandglory

There were no cameras allowed at The Stables in Milton Keynes, but this was Darren and the lads after the signing.

Union Chapel – London

“Tonight, the HK UK tour rolls back into one of the most prestigious venues in London, Union Chapel.
Last time the audience were fantastic, so as we are sold out, it should be a good one!”

 

“London! Incredible!
Lost for words. What a night. We hoped it would be good but yet again, you've blown us away completely!
Thanks so much for giving us last night.”

Darren on lead vocals performing Kelly the Boy From Killane at Union Chapel Islington. The song has been recently added to the set list for the Grace & Glory tour.

  

The High Kings performing Gypsy Rover.

We have too many to post individually. You'll find all 12 songs we recorded at the start of this playlist, incl Hand Me Down My Bible, Grace, Early Morning Rain, Town I Loved So Well, Oh Maggie, Parting Glass, Leaving of Liverpool, Go Lassie Go, Johnny Leave Her, and Fields of Glory. Enjoy!

CLICK HERE

Photos copyright Carol Billett

Photos copyright Anja Muller

Germany

Berlin

“From swinging London to brilliant Berlin! I've even got a Batman phone!
Just swooped back to 1977 😊
Sweet!”

#hkeuropeantour

“Goodnight Berlin.
What a great crowd to kick off the German leg of the HK tour.
Thanks for an exceptional time.”

Hamburg

“Hamburg! That's how ya throw a party.
Thanks for another fantastic night in Germany.” #hkeurope

Photos copyright Sandra Elschner

Photos copyright Anja Muller

Bremen

“Our crew getting the stage ready for tonight's show at Modernes in Bremen.”

#hkeurope

 

Black Velvet Band with Darren playing his Emerald Guitar.

Hand Me Down My Bible!

Photo copyright Anja Muller

Photo copyright Sandra Elschner

Halle

“Halle, thank you so much for an amazing night. You guys were phenomenal throughout the show tonight. The volume from you was sensational. You blew us away on every chorus. Great fun.”


Mainz

"Christmas markets creating a very festive feeling here in the lovely city of Mainz, Germany."

“To all the amazing audience tonight in Mainz, from the bottom of my heart, thank you so very much for the incredible reaction to "The Town I Loved so well". Not only did it mean the world to me, but also to the man who wrote it all those years ago, Phil Coulter, who passes on his gratitude.
The lads and I had a ball tonight.
Germany is being great to us.”

“Fitness First. Definitely one of the finest gyms I've ever been in. The Germans do it well.”

Karlsruhe

"Karlsruhe, that was insane. What a crowd. The loudest in ages. Thanks for showing us how to throw a party." 

Stuttgart

“There was a point during tonight's show in Stuttgart where I received a timely reminder why I do what I do.
To write a song, record it, and release it to the world, is one thing, but when you hear a couple thousand beautiful German folks roar every word at you in unison....well that's a whole other story.
"Oh Maggie" never sounded so cool Stuttgart. You guys really took all of us by surprise with the volume.
Thanks a million.
Munich....your turn next 😊
PS....if anyone got video, please feel free to post it.” 

Photos copyright Barbara Schmidt.

Essen

Essen! No words! Incredible crowd!

Thank you!”

Photo copyright Sandra Elschner.

 

Cologne

Thank you so much to an incredible German HK Army. You guys are some of the loudest and largest crowds we've played to this year.

Tonight we return to The Gloria Theatre, Cologne. Last time was off the scale.

There is now a strong connection between THK and FC Köln, as our song "Fields of Glory" has been adapted as the club anthem!

Expect lots of red scarves and flags tonight!Kick off is 8pm.”

 

“Cologne...that was ridiculous! What a night. Full on craziness from start to finish. Shows and crowds like this are never easily forgotten. Germany just keeps getting bigger and better. You guys literally sang the whole concert for us. Sincerely.....Thank you.”

The High Kings performing Whiskey in the jar in Cologne with special guest singer Mathias Nelles. Thanks Sandra Elschner for sharing.

“Brian and myself sporting FC Cologne scarves last night which we wore onstage for our show at the Gloria Theatre. Very proud that THK now have an established connection with this great club.”

  Photos copyright Sandra Elschner.

Aschaffenburg

"What a beautiful old city Aschaffenburg is."

“Thanks Aschaffenburg for a very memorable night.
Great audience that came to party.”

The High Kings performing Leaving of Liverpool in Colos-Saal, Aschaffenburg.

Hannover

“Thank you and Goodnight Germany.
We won't forget this anytime soon!
Homeward bound.” 

Finale! Thank you Germany!

“Denmark, UK, and Germany.

You've made the last month a fantastic experience for myself and the lads. The High Kings don't work without the superb fanbase that we are blessed to have.

For the great time you've shown us I would like to say a massive "Thank You".”

#hkeurope #graceandglory

 

RTE Music Choice Awards

“The High Kings album "Grace & Glory" is Nominated for the RTE Choice Music Award!

Short list is out next month, January 2017.Thanks RTE!

This is very cool.”

Tour Dates

Update from HKHQ: “Extensive Irish winter tour dates announced!”

 

Update from HK HQ: “Hello USA! Delighted to announce these shows for March 2017.”

Other Updates From Darren...

"Great to catch up with my bud Gavin James at my gig in Lillies Library tonight. What a laugh swapping US tour stories and what a moment when Gav, with his insanely beautiful voice sat with me at the piano and we did the Elvis classic "Can't help Falling in Love"A great guy and a sublime artist."

 
 

That's the round up of all the news and the European Tour. The High Kings are now back in Ireland kicking off the Irish Winter Tour which takes them to the end of January. We'll be back with a short Christmas Newsletter very soon. Until then....

Thanks for your continued support.

 Darren and the DH Team

TV3 and US Canada Fall Tour Round Up

Seven O'Clock Show

“Delighted to be back on my favourite couch tonight. TV3 Seven O' Clock Show. Thanks to everyone for the many messages and good wishes. All appreciated.”

“My inbox is full of pretty much the same question tonight. To answer.....
"Yes I would love to do a regular telly slot, and yes I've been asked.
Who knows what the future holds.
I'm always open to new ventures. Thanks so much to you all for the kind messages.”

 Darren on the couch, and in the kitchen, on TV3's Seven O'Clock Show 16th September 2016. Presenters Muireann O'Connell and Ray Foley.

Radio Interviews
 

WLR FM Interview

“I will be chatting over the phone to Geoff Harris on WLR FM very soon.”
#highkings #graceandglory #theatreroyal

Listen to the interview

 VOCM Interview – St John's NL

"VOCM Newfoundland listeners, tune in soon to hear my chat with Greg Smith about all things High Kings in advance if our concert in The Holy Heart Theatre, ST JOHNS on Oct 3rd.”

Listen to Darren chatting with Greg Smith on VOCM's Irish Music Show NL.
  

Opry AN luir

"Always a pleasure to see and work with Daniel. One of the music industry's true gents.
Done, dusted and homeward bound!"
  

 
“Daniel O' Donnell bassist, James Blennerhassett and myself backstage at Opry AN Iuir, Newry Town Hall yesterday with our brand new Emerald Guitars.
Loving these fantastic instruments from a superb Irish company.”
#emerald

 The new Opry AN luir series, including the show featuring the High Kings, will be broadcast on TG4 in Ireland during the autumn, date not yet known.


From the Archives

#tbt “Backstage earlier this year with the sublime Gavin James.
Good times.” #centenary

 Irish Tour Round Up

Killarney

“INEC that was wild. What a great night. Fantastic buzz and so many of you bought the new vinyl copies of the new album! Very cool. Who knew!!”
#vinylissoback #loudasfolk”

Photos copyright Anja Muller

 

 

Waterford

“The first theatre I ever performed in at 11 years old. Back again tonight.
Theatre Royal Waterford.”

“Thanks Waterford. That was up there as possibly the best Theatre Royal show.
Great night!”


Bantry

“Beautiful Bantry. Sold out.” #hk

US and Canada Fall Tour - Round Up 

As the High Kings were on route to the US for the final leg of the tour, this was a little medley of songs from their performance at the Irish Fair of Minnesota back in August. 

  

Minocqua

“Thank you Minoqua. Whats a super sold out audience tonight, and a great way to kick off the final leg of a massive trek across America this summer. On to Minneapolis.”

Minneapolis

“And then you find this backstage.” #beatles #vinyl #cedar #mpls

  “Minneapolis.....what can I say. That was by far my favourite show of the US tour so far. Wall to wall noise from you guys. What a sensational atmosphere, and you all sang Purple Rain at the the top of your lungs with me!
Loved it all tonight. Thanks to you all for a really great time.
Now praying for at least 3 hours sleep before we head to the airport for our next flight.”

A little clip of Darren and the lads performing Purple Rain at the Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis.

 

 

Spanish Peaks Irish Festival - La Veta CO

“After all these years of living and touring in America, it still seems to throw the odd hidden gem in my path from time to time.
La Veta, Colorado. And no, the colour TV didn't entice me to stay!”

 “Great bunch of kids!”

 “Brian and I just did an acoustic 135 minute show incorporating HK, Elvis, Billy Joel, as part of The Spanish Peaks festival in Colorado.”

This was the first of 4 FB Live videos Brian posted during his and Darren's 135 minute acoustic concert in La Veta.

 

“The Story of the High Kings”

Photo copyright www.thehighkings.com

 

This was a little musical taster from The Story of The High Kings.

Live @ La Veta Gallery, Colorado.

Northampton

“Nice little stroll around Northampton. ” #dayoff

  

“Delighted to see one of my favourite people and favourite songwriters Thomas Walsh last night at The Iron Horse Music Hall in Northampton MA. A fellow Irishman, whose band PUGWASH are as sublime as it gets. They absolutely killed it last night!”

  

“2 shows at Iron Horse Music Hall Northampton tonight.”

 

“Northampton MA.....Thanks for coming out in such large numbers tonight.
Great town, great fun.”

Sellersville PA

“Sellersville Pennsylvania! What a superb audience. That was wild from start to finish and funny as folk!
Loved it. Thanks for coming out in such large numbers and also for the personalised chocolates and gifts!”

 Norfolk CT

“Kiefer. 24 Hours.”

  

“Absolutely blown away backstage after what might possibly be the very loudest and wildest audience on the entire US tour. Infinity Hall, Norfolk CT, you guys were revved up and raring to go all night. Way too much fun.
Can Boston go louder tomorrow night??
I don't know....we'll have to wait and see! 😜

Bring it on!”

 

Somerville Boston

“The final US date tonight. The big one.
Somerville Theatre. Boston. Sold out.”

Leaving of Liverpool Live @ Somerville Theatre, Boston!

“Somerville, Boston. We couldn't dream up an audience reaction like that if we tried. One of the nights in my career that I will remember for many years and for so many reasons. Including that one near the end!!!
We have wrapped up the 50th US concert on the summer tour and I need to say a massive thank you to the thousands of truly great people that came out to see us on what has been the biggest HK American adventure to date. The video doesn't show the audience very well in the balcony but the noise is what it's all about.
'Til the next time, see ya.”

 St John's NL, Canada

 “When you travel all day from Boston to St Johns, Newfoundland for the final show of a massive tour and land at the coolest Rock 'n' Roll boutique hotel! Score 😊
The King is even overlooking proceedings!”

#jag #hk #almosthome #irishaccents!

“About to take to the stage here in St Johns, Newfoundland. We are completely sold out.
It's the last show of a massive tour that started on July 27th.
To the many thousands of people who made journeys by land, sea and air to see us....a huge thank you!
It's been the biggest HK tour to date and that's all down to the fans and radio here! We couldn't do it without you.
Tomorrow....we finally go home.”

 

 “For a little lad from Mooncoin who learned "The Town I loved so Well" sitting at the fire in Convent View, to get a standing ovation from 1 thousand folks at the Holy Heart Theatre in St Johns, Newfoundland.....
I'm more than a bit moved and totally speechless.”

#philcoulter

Watch a recording of Town I Loved So Well in St John's

 

“What a way to sign off. Thank you and goodnight Newfoundland.”

 The High Kings are now back in Ireland having some well deserved time with their families and recharging their batteries. They will be back on the road in November as they kick off with a few dates in Denmark and the UK before heading to Germany for an extensive tour.

See the www.thehighkings.com for dates, venues, and ticket links.

That's all the news for now, we'll be back soon!


Thanks for your continued support

Darren & the DH Team