Friday 16 December 2016

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.

http://emeraldguitars.com/2016/11/22/the-x20-artisan-fit-for-a-high-king/?v=79cba1185463


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.

http://www.tg4.ie/en/player/home/?pid=5212416246001&teideal=Opry+an+I%C3%BAir&series=Opry+an+I%C3%BAir 
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.”

https://www.facebook.com/darrenholden72/videos/10154798302546789/

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!


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.

https://www.facebook.com/thehighkings/videos/10153830415306626/

Hand Me Down My Bible!

https://www.facebook.com/thehighkings/videos/10153830598411626/


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.

https://www.facebook.com/sanni0576/videos/1599861153361210/

“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!

https://www.facebook.com/thehighkings/videos/10153858203926626/

“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

https://www.facebook.com/darrenholden72/videos/10154842530841789/ 


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