Grace & Glory Album Special and More.....

Hey folks,

Well after what has been by far the biggest and busiest promotional campaign we have ever mounted for a High Kings album, we are floored by the universally positive reaction to what we feel us out best studio work to date.
We released and launched the album on the Late Late Show on Friday 13th May and I was honoured to have one of my lead vocal songs as the chosen single by our label.
'Schooldays Over' has been ressurected and given a new lease of life. How it's captured the attention of the fans and media is very gratifying.
Recorded after my buddy's constant coaxing of me to do something with it, it's been a fantastic launch pad for a great record.
So here we are one week in with a number 1 debut. Our highest ever album chart position and Schooldays picking up AirPlay across Europe and the US.
Thank you to you all! Sincerely.
It's a great feeling.

Take it easy.

Grace & Glory Album

Buy the Album

The album is now available direct from the High Kings website, on global iTunes stores, Amazon, Spotify, and all good record shops in Ireland.

Buy the CD from www.thehighkings.com

Download from iTunes


Radio Promo

“Grace & Glory promo week kicks of this morning for HK with a live in studio chat and song with my old friend Geoff Harris on WLR FM after noon.
Tune in for a bit of fun.”

Watch them live in the studio at WLRM.

“Today's radio promo.
Spirit Radio with Wendy Grace. 11am
East Coast Radio with Declan Meehan. 11.30am
Then home to KCLR FM to my old buddy John Keane at 2pm.” 

 Watch them perform at KCLR.

"On route to Tippfm where we will chat and sing a few songs with our buddy Fran Curry after 11am this morning.
Then it's back up to KFM Radio and and a chat with my old friend Paul Power after 2pm.” 

Listen to both interviews. The first in the morning with Fran Curry at Tipp FM 

CLICK HERE

Then later in the afternoon with Ciara Plunkett at KFM in Kildare. 

CLICK HERE 

“Live on air at 11.30am this morning with Alan Corcoran on South East Radio.” 

Listen to the High Kings chatting with Alan Corcoran in the studio at South East Radio in Wexford. 

CLICK HERE

 “On route to C103FM Radio in Mallow where we will be live in studio at 11.30am.
This evening we are doing an in store performance at Golden Discs, Patrick St, Cork city at 5pm.” 

The High Kings with Colum McGrath at C103. 

Listen to them chatting in the studio with Patricia Messenger and performing Hand Me Down My Bible. 

CLICK HERE

They were also at Shannonside FM in the morning, listen here!

CLICK HERE

 Watch the High Kings perform Hand Me Down My Bible on Galway Bay FM 

The Late Late Show

The High Kings launched their brand new eagerly awaited studio album Grace & Glory on the Late Late Show. 

 Watch them perform Schooldays Over from the album.

 

A few video stills from the High Kings performance of Schooldays Over.

 

Store Signings 

The High Kings did live performance signings in Dublin, Cork, and Galway.

"Folksters be chillin' in Cork."

 

The High Kings were playing 'Live on Facebook' from Golden Discs in Cork. Watch it back on the High Kings Facebook Page! 

The High Kings have really spoilt everyone with their second Facebook Live broadcast of the day, this time outside OMG @ Zhivago in Galway.

 

Grace & Glory Official Launch

The High Kings at the launch.

If you missed it, they were broadcasting on Facebook Live, live from the venue.

Catch it on the High Kings Facebook Page.

A couple of official photos from the launch.

 The High Kings with Finbar Furey

The Irish Album Debut Chart 

“Holy Folk 'n' Roll!!

The High Kings new album 'Grace & Glory' debuted today in the IRMA Irish Top 40 Charts.
- #1 in the independent album charts
- #3 in the National album charts
- highest new entry in the album charts
- highest Irish artist in the album charts

 Incredible. Thanks so much to our loyal fans around the world who bought this album. You've given it the royal seal of approval with style.
To our management and PR team Paddy, Kathryn, Dave, Janine, Shane,Chris, Graham all at Celtic Collections.....you guys are the best. We did it boys!
This feels great.”

Stop Press! 

 

Read a review from the US Irish Echo

CLICK HERE 

 

Irish Tour Round Up

"Thanks to a great sold out audience in Arklow last night. What a party!”

“Athy. Mayhem. Amazing night. Great audience.”

“Bundoran last night was by far the loudest, wildest biggest crowd in months. Massive thanks to all of you who came along and made such a big sound. Crazy times.

Always nice to see my bro, the great Mickey Joe Harte afterwards.”

“HK fans and friends in Co Cork, I will be chatting to Sean Donnellan at 7.40pm tonight on C103FM.”

Listen to Darren chatting to Sean Donnellan on C103FM earlier this evening.

CLICK HERE

 “Mitchelstown last night was wild. Beyond wild in fact. Crazy in the best possible tense. Thank so much to a memorable audience for making that noise for us. One to remember.”

“Kilkenny....that was unreal!! To come home and play a sold out concert to one of the loudest and best audiences in a long time will never be taken for granted!
Fantastic atmosphere. Great to see such a big crowd from Mooncoin!
Nowhere like the auld stomping ground!”

“Super crowd last night at the Clonmel Park Hotel. Sold out and loud as folk!
The Holden and Clancy families joined the throng and every song was sung with more volume than the previous one.
Thanks for indulging my inpromptu version of 'Purple Rain' and for raising the roof at the chorus. A special moment.” ‪#‎prince

“Thanks Mullingar. Crazy. I'm now deaf.
Brilliant fun”

“Loughrea was wild as folk last night! Seriously, that was as loud as it gets in the west. Thanks to a massive and hugely enjoyable audience for making it such a great night.”

Photos copyright Carol Billett

 

“Absolutely fantastic second last show of the "Four Friends Live" tour tonight in Maynooth. Sold out and rockin'. Crazy energy in the room. Thanks to another great audience!”

Now that the Grace & Glory album has been released, we can finally bring you a live video of Hand Me Down My Bible, with it's brand new 3rd verse written especially for them by Phil Coulter! Enjoy!

Photos copyright Carol Billett

Tipp FM's 25th Birthday Concert

“Few pics from last nights Tippfm 25th Birthday award show at the Dome, Semple Stadium in Thurles.
The High Kings were very grateful to be recognised with awards for our contribution to the entertainment industry.
Great to see good friends Shay Searson and Marc Roberts.
Thanks to Trudi and Billy for extending the welcome to myself and the lads.”

 

"A couple more photos from Wednesday night's Tipp FM Birthday concert."

Louise Morrissey Show

“Brian and myself just finished recording an episode of The Louise Morrissey Show due to air on Sky Channel 389 next month.
Always great to catch up with this very talented lady.”

This show will be broadcast at 7pm Wednesday 1st June.

 US Tour Dates Announced

Update from HK HQ – “We are delighted to announce our biggest ever US Tour to date, there will be more additions, and ticket info is on the website. Please share with all your friends who are fans of great live music!" ‪#‎backintheusa ‪#‎graceandglory ‪#‎theboysarebackintown

Isle of Wight Festival

“Proud to be part of the historic 'Isle of Wight' festival again this summer.
What a line up!”

That's all for now folks! The High Kings are now have a couple of weeks off with their families. They will then be heading straight back on the road to the IOW Festival, a few summer dates in Ireland, Glastonbury, and an extensive tour of festivals and shows in America.

We will be back with another round up of news soon!

Thanks for your continued support.

Darren and the DH Team

Easter Rising 1916 Centenary and More...

Reflecting The Rising

“Mansion House Dublin. Holding a genuine Howth Mouser rifle made in 1881.
1916 commemoration.”
‪#‎highkings ‪#‎easterrising

“Just offstage after a fantastic craic singing with the lads on O' Connell St Dublin. Great to share the stage with Sharon Shannon, Mundy and co.”

"Lashing out Galway Girl with Mundy and co."

"CENTENARY. How can you sum up such a mammoth production, a moment in time in mere words? Full credit to our national broadcaster RTE for pulling out every stop and getting everybody they wanted to have involved, to come onboard.
Myself and the lads were invited early on to be a part of this unique show and we are so grateful for that honour.
The response to our song has been mindblowing and overwhelming, to say the very least. Literally hundreds of texts and messages still coming in.
To share the stage with incredible homegrown talent such as Gavin James, Imelda, Sharon Shannon, John Sheahan, Colm Wilkinson, Donal Lunny, David Agnew ,Ewan Cowley, etc... No words. Immensely Proud doesn't come close or do justice to it.
'Schooldays over' is a song I learned as a nipper, and sort of forgot about. It came back to me through my good buddy who is an encyclopedia on folk music, and who kept telling me to sing it. Look at what its led to.....Amazing.
Massive thanks to everyone for the incredible support and well wishes and to RTE for the constant support they show us.
I was delighted to have Michelle and some of our good friends there to share it with me."

‘Centenary’ Concert

Darren and the High Kings were proud to be invited to take part in 'Centenary' a special one-off cultural celebration to mark the 100th anniversary of the 1916 Rising. The event was streamed live 'worldwide' from Bord Gáis Energy Theatre on RTÉ One International Player, and received an amazing response around the world. Watch their performance of Schooldays Over!

A few video skills of their Centenary performance.

You can watch the whole show on the RTE International Player (only available until 27 April 2016) CLICK HERE

For a limited time, you can also learn more about the show and download the show programme here. CLICK HERE

The response to the event and broadcast on RTE has been huge, with it trending on Twitter throughout the night and after the event.
You can read a press article following the event here. CLICK HERE

TV3 Seven O’clock Show

“Back on the TV3 couch again tonight at 7pm.
This time Brian is with me.”

Darren and Brian on the sofa at TV3 chatting to Ray Foley and Muireann O'Connell on 25 March 2016. Brian is also helping in the kitchen beating eggs! Joining them on the sofa, athlete Olive Loughnane and Panti Bliss.

Photo copyright TV3

A few screen shots of Darren and Brian on TV3's Seven O'Clock Show.

" Many thanks again for all the messages for myself and Brian after last nights 7 O' Clock Show.
We are popping up on telly throughout this Easter weekend to."

TV3 - Four Friends Live

“Overwhelmed with the amount of messages and texts from last night after TV3 showed our new live concert. I've always said Luke Kelly will forever own 'The Town I loved so well'. I just borrow it for 6 minutes every night. Today we play the main stage on O'Connell St with our good friend Sharon Shannon at 12:45 and tonight we are part of the RTE 1 television spectacular 'Centenary' at 9.30pm. Well worth checking out.”

LMFM Interview 

“I will be chatting over the phone to LMFM Radio around 12.15pm today folks.”

Listen to Darren chatting on the phone to LMFM Radio.

CLICK HERE

From The Archives

Last weekend the High Kings were in Cavan. It was 7 years ago this week, they picked up their 13 instruments for the first time and launched their new 'stripped bare' show with 5 nights at the Olympia in Dublin. We thought you might enjoy this one, recorded on the second night of that 5 night run.

Just uploaded by Michigan Irish Festival, a short clip of memories of the High Kings performances at the festival last year.

Finally From Darren.... 

“Impossible to comprehend these terrorist attacks. The world has gone crazy. Prayers are with the victims and people affected in Brussels.”

We hope you have enjoyed catching up on what has been a very busy, proud, and memorable weekend for Darren, the High Kings, and Irish people all over the world.

The lads are now on a short tour of Ireland before they turn their attention to the release of their new album and the summer festivals. We'll be back with more news again soon.

Thank you for your continued support.

Darren and the DH Team 

New Album, US Tour Round Up, Tour Dates....

Hot Press 'Hotties' Award Nomination

“Hey everyone.
I am very humbled and grateful to have been nominated in a solo capacity by Hot Press Magazine for this years 'Hottie' Awards, in the Trad/Folk category. I'd really appreciate if you'd click on the link below and give me your vote. I'm halfway down the list. Thank you so much, and thanks to all who voted so far.
Darren.”
“Hey everyone, don't forget you can still vote for me as a solo artist and also HK in the Hot Press Magazine Hottie Awards.
So grateful to have 2 chances to win in the Trad/Folk section.
Very funny to be competing against myself”

TCR FM 'Raise The Rafters'

Listen to Darren chatting about his career, both solo and with the High Kings, on TCR FM this evening.

CLICK HERE

From The Archives

Watch and listen to Darren performing a little bit of The Beatles, Billy Joel, The Beach Boys, The Eagles, Buddy Holly, Elvis, a little Irish Rover and a Rock'n'Roll medley. Filmed at a corporate solo show back in 2008.

A video montage of Darren performing as lead vocalist in the Broadway production of Riverdance in February 2001, with female lead vocalist Sara Clancy.

As the High Kings performed their first Canadian show, Darren was last in Toronto 10 years before with the Movin' Out Tour. Here he is, on his night off, performing both the US and Canadian Anthems at the game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and San Jose Sharks in Toronto, December 3rd 2005

 

News From The Recording Studio

Update and photos from HK HQ: “Day #5 in the Studio, looking forward to a rare weekend at home with our families!! The Production Suite ‪#‎makingprogress‬”

 

“Album. Week 2. ‪#‎highkings‬”

“Same day, different studio."

‪#‎rte‬ ‪#‎norestforthewicked‬

“Just wrapped a 10 hour day in the studio on this beast!”

 

Photos from the final week of recording copyright www.thehighkings.com

Update and photo from HK HQ: “The recording is complete! Now it's time the Producers got busy with mixing and mastering! We expect our new record to be available by mid-May! Sincere thanks to Chris O'Brien and Graham Murphy from The Production Suite and David Montuy from Cauldron Studios for their dedication to this project”

 

 US and Canada Tour Round Up 

Madison

“Not everyday you get have breakfast overlooking a completely frozen solid lake." 

‪#‎Madison‬ ‪#‎Wisconsin‬ ‪#‎HKUSA‬

“Out and about in Wisconsin. State Capitol. War Veterans Museum.” ‪#‎collegetown‬

“Thanks Madison. Storming start to the tour.”

 

Chicago

“Chicago, we have waited a long long time to play the famed City Winery, and tonights show made it worth every second. Sold out and seriously the best and loudest crowd in ages! Way too much fun for one band. Thanks to all of you for coming out and also for purchasing the limited edition "High Kings red wine" in such large numbers.”

“Sometimes a truck inspires the need to belt out a Beach Boys classic” 😊 ‪#‎Chicago‬ ‪#‎HKUSA‬
‪#‎brianwilson‬ ‪#‎mikelove‬

Northampton

“Finally played the legendary "Iron Horse" Northampton last night.
Full house. Great atmosphere.
Still deaf from the volume of you lot! WHAT?.....”

Photo copyright Margaret Cowen

Albany

“Things you find in a cool record store." ‪#‎georgemartin‬ ‪#‎albany‬

Saybrook

“Hanging out in Old Saybrook, Connecticut.”

“What a great night at The Katherine Hepburn Theater in Old Saybrook, CT. Sold out and loud as Folk. Thanks to a really great crowd for coming out to party with us.”

Update and photo from HK HQ: “What a great night at The Kate - Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Centre last night! We will be back!! Today we head for Watertown NY and the Dulles State Office Building, doors at 7pm and showtime is 8pm, The St Patrick's Day celebrations in the US & Canada are well under way!! Here is a pic from the show in Old Saybrook last night. Photo Credit Stephen Fritzer/Live at The Kate.”

Watertown

Press article for this weekend's show at the North Country Goes Green Irish Festival in Watertown, including an interview with Darren, Brian and Finbarr.

CLICK HERE

“Thanks Watertown NY. That was one great night!”

 

Oakville, Ontario, Canada 

“Roadside phone interview for radio show in Canada.”

‪#‎upstateNewYork‬. ‪#‎lifeontheroad

 

Listen to part of Darren's 'roadside' telephone interview with Mark O'Brien on Toronto's 1430AM Irish Music show yesterday. Apologies we missed the start, it was a few minutes earlier than expected.

CLICK HERE

Ann Arbor

“Ann Arbour Michigan. Very cool place to perform in last night."

‪#‎michiganstate‬

 
Cleveland

“HELLO CLEVELAND.”

 

“Cleveland! What an amazing crowd and show tonight. This is why we kept doing what we do. The loudest audience of the tour so far. Thanks to so many of you for the countless gifts of food, souvenirs, tee shirts etc.....Too kind.
Loved singing for ya tonight.
4 hours sleep I hope, then 2 flights to Long Island, New York for tomorrow nights sold out concert.”

Photos copyright Vera MacKelly

Long Island NY

"Southampton LI, NY on a beautiful Spring day. "

"Tonight's view." ‪#‎NewYork‬

“Sometimes a show is too special to put into words. Great venue. Great crowd. I had a ball. Thank you Long Island, NY.”

Dubuque

“Stopping off at our offices on route to Dubuque Iowa.”

“After a nightmare travel day, cancelled flights, delays etc, we just about made it in one piece for the show of the tour tonight in Dubuque, Iowa. What a brilliant crowd, and what a welcome back. Unbelievable, and when the biggest cheers of the night are for HK original songs...."Oh Maggie" "Irelands Shore" etc...you know you're doing ok.
Massive thanks to our fantastic crew for pulling out all the stops to ensure tonight happened. Ronan, Bobby, Vivian and Paddy. We simply could not do this without those guys.
Dubuque...you blew my mind tonight.
Onwards to Wisconsin tomorrow for the final show.”

Cedarberg

"Vivian Casagrande. Our soundman extraordinaire."

"What an amazing way to finish another successful US tour. A beautiful night and crowd. Getting a standing ovation in Cedarburg Wisconsin for 'The Town I Loved so Well' is pretty cool.
Proud to sing it. Proud to stand onstage with the boys and deliver this show night after night.
Thanks USA and Canada.
Special thanks to our crew and to all of you who came out to see us over the last 2 weeks."

  

Tour Dates

Germany Calling

Update from HK HQ “Update from HKHQ For German fans:
"Good morning Germany - We are coming back to play for you in November/December!!

On Sale Now!"

CLICK HERE

UK Dates

Good afternoon UK!! Delighted to announce these shows in November, we promise to add more UK shows in early 2017. Tickets on sale now.

Tickets The Stables from Venue or Eventim

Tickets Union Chapel from Venue of Eventim

US Festival Announcement

Update from HKHQ: “Chicago Announcement!!! Following our sold out show at City Winery Chicago last night, we are delighted to announce we will be headlining IRISH FEST CHICAGO AT THE IRISH AMERICAN HERITAGE CENTRE on Sunday 10th July at 8pm. Tickets are on sale now!”

CLICK HERE


Other Updates From Darren

“I've performed around the world to countless amounts of people, but hearing 450 local schoolchildren belt out "Irelands Call" with me again today as part of "Seachtain na Gaeilge" is just incomparable. Thats what its all about. The future.”

“He saw their potential when others didn't. He signed them when others passed.
He believed in 4 lads from Liverpool and changed our musical landscape forever.
He was the Fifth Beatle.
Genius. Visionary. Producer extraordinaire.
Rest in peace Sir George Martin.”

“Wishing you all a very Happy St Patricks Day wherever you are.
‪#‎tbt‬ Few years ago on this day at The White House with the Obamas.”

 

That's all the news for now. Following the very successful US Tour, the High Kings only get a few days break to recharge their batteries and spend a little time with their families, before hitting the road again for a short tour of Ireland.

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

We'll be back with more news as soon as we have it!


Thanks for your continued support.

Darren and the DH Team