Derry, Hessentag, IOW Fest, & Back to School!

Back to School

 "I am absolutely honoured and delighted to be invited to go back to my first ever school in Mooncoin tomorrow to raise the Green flag for energy awareness. A tremendous achievement for the students and teachers. I'm sure it will bring back many happy memories of my school days at home. Really looking forward to it."

 

"Totally overwhelmed by the welcome home to Mooncoin today from the teachers, pupils and committee of Lourdes boys school. Great to see so many familiar faces and friends/family and brilliant to hear the kids singing High Kings songs that had been carefully practiced not to mention the "Welcome Home Darren" banners that were just the icing on the cake!

A credit to all involved.

They even dug out the enrolment book that had my name in it to show me!

One to remember for a long time.

Thanks to everyone for making today very very special and congrats again to the school on their award for Energy Awareness."

  

 

 New Early Career Performance Video

 As Darren and the lads are enjoying some well deserved time off before the festival season kicks off, we thought you might enjoy a TV performance from Darren's early career we have just uploaded from his private collection.

 

 

Official Website

We are delighted to see that we have now passed 200,000 views on Darren's official website. Thanks for your continued support!

If you haven't checked it out yet, why not drop by and browse the pages which have all the latest news together with a comprehensive record of Darren's career, both solo and with the High Kings.

www.darrenholden.net

From the Archives

"Can't believe this was 4 years ago! Great day, incredible rush and all for a brilliant cause."

 

 

Derry Live Recording

Rehearsal update and photo from HKHQ - "Day 3 at the rehearsal studio and the cameras have come in to pay us a visit . . . only two days to go to the big show in Derry!!"

 Listen to Darren chatting to Mickey Ferry on Drive 105 fm ahead

of the concert filming in Derry!

Darren Drive 105 fm Interview

Photo courtesy of HK HQ "Soundcheck time!"

 

 

"Ready to go here in Derry.

Exciting night ahead."

"Derry! What can I say. Incredible night, brilliant crowd. What a great concert and its all captured on film for broadcast later this year!

Thanks so much to all of you for coming to see us and for making it a special night.

Once again I was so grateful for the reaction to "The Town I Loved so Well". It belongs to Derry and to sing it in its city of origin is always an honour. Very emotional tonight.

Now....heading home."

Hessentag Festival

Darren and Brian ready to fly at Dublin airport, posted shortly after 6am!

 

 

A short video message from Darren during the afternoon.

 

 

"Tonight's venue. This place will be packed later today for ourselves and Sharon Shannon, Sharon Corr and Runrig"

 

Courtesy of HK HQ a photo of Darren and the lads with Sharon Shannon ahead of the show.

"The Kings and The Queen! Welcome Sharon!!"

A photo from HK HQ pre-show

 

"Always great to hang out with the lovely Sharon Corr."

 

"Backstage in Hessentag Germany getting ready for soundcheck with the lovely Sharon Shannon who is once again joining us onstage tonight." 

 

The High Kings on stage at Bensheim Hessentag with Sharon Shannon. Photo courtesy and copyright of Thomas Unger.

 

 

Isle of Wight Festival

"Delighted to be playing one of the worlds most legendary music gatherings next weekend.
The High Kings will play Saturday and Sunday at The Isle of Wight Festival.
Can't wait!"

"Isle of Wight festival for 2 days! Woo Hoo....
Look how excited we are. UK here we come!"

"Great fun so far today at The Isle of Wight Festival!
Beautiful weather. We take to the stage at 9.30pm."

 

"Thanks to everyone for a great first night at IOW,
Roll on tomorrow!"

"Ferry back to the Isle."

"Fantastic crowd today at the IOW festival. Great fun. What a buzz and a brilliant weekend. Thanks to John Giddings for having us here."

"Backstage with Britain's next big thing The Struts. Great guys. What a band!"

 

 

Darren first met Matt Cardle back in January 2013 when Matt saw him performing in Lillies Library. Here they are again when both Matt and the High Kings were performing on the same stage at the Isle of Wight Festival.

 

 

Australian Tour Re-scheduled

"So sorry to our Australian fans and friends down under.
Unfortunately out of our control."

CLICK HERE for the official statement from the High Kings HQ on their Facebook page.

From the Archives

The High Kings performed Rocky Road To Dublin and Fields of Glory in front of a sell out crowd of over 82,000 during half time in the 2008 All Ireland hurling final at Croke Park. Darren's beloved Kilkenny Cats were contesting their 3rd crown in a row and ran out the easy winners having already got the match sewn up by half time.

Final score Kilkenny 3-30 Waterford 1-13



 

Five years ago, the High Kings were proud to be the final act introduced by Pat Kenny on the Late Late Show season finale as he bowed out after 10 years in the hot seat.

 

 

Finally!

Thanks for your continued support!

Darren and the lads are currently on a short break before the busy and exciting times ahead, starting with the US festivals, 4 dates at the INEC Killarney, and the Cambridge Folk Festival in the UK. We will bring you up to date with a round up of all the festival news, but for daily live news including Darren's personal status updates, please follow Darren's Twitter and 'Like' his Facebook Page.

 

 

Darren and the DH Team