US Tour Round Up and More...

Emerald Guitar on Tour

“About to kick off the US tour. Warming up with my X20 Artisan from Emerald Guitars.”

 

“A little something to mark the 39th anniversary of ELVIS. Glad to sing this with my Artisan X20 acoustic from Emerald Guitars.”

“After many requests and messages from you guys following the first 'Elvis' song I posted a few weeks ago, I've decided to upload another hotel room video. Hope you enjoy.
One of my favourite songs from Rod the Mod. This is dedicated to the wonderful High Kings road crew, who have accommodated me having my Artisan X20 Emerald guitar on the road with me. The best crew in the game!”
#emeraldsessions#underthecovers#rodstewart

Photos from Colorado

Thanks to Charlie Brock for sharing these photos of the High Kings in Colorado on the last leg of their US Tour back in June.

US Tour Round Up

“Boom!!” ‪#‎aerlingus ‪#‎business

Boothbay Harbour

“Day 1 of the HKUSA tour. What a stunning place Boothbay Harbour is. Beautiful lunch by the water and ready to play the Opera House tonight.” ‪#‎maine 

 

 Live from Boothbay Harbor

Great American Irish Festival - Utica

Watch the High Kings singing on the streets of Utica

Before Darren and the lads did a live Parade on the streets of Utica with KRock, they had a chat and a song in the KRock studio. Listen on this link.

CLICK HERE


It was a busy day in Utica for the lads! Listen to a podcast of an interview they did for WOUR after the parade. 

CLICK HERE

 “On route with Brian earlier to the first of 3 shows this weekend at GAI Festival.
Incredible crowd. Insane atmosphere. What a reaction. Roll on tomorrow.
Good to be back in upstate New York.” 

“Very quiet crowd in upstate New York tonight.”

 

GAIF end of festival update from HK HQ. “What an amazing weekend at the Great American Irish Festival! Thanks to John, Judy and all the team for making us feel so welcome and providing us with a great start to our Tour!! We want to come back next year!! Thanks to Kathy Bottorff Stockbridge at NYS Music for the great shots.” 

CLICK PHOTO to view photos and original post.

The High Kings performing The Parting Glass at GAIF

 

Rest Day Chicago!!

“Chicago never fails to impress, especially on such a beautiful day. Always a pleasure to hang out here. HKUSA.” 

 

Waterloo Ohio

"Brian and I hanging out with our pals from Scythian in Waterloo, Iowa tonight.”

 

Iowa Irish Fest

Update from HKHQ: “Thank you Iowa Irish Fest!! Thank you for such a warm welcome and even warmer hospitality!! Thank you Greg and all The Committee members who made it possible!!” 

Photo copyright www.thehighkings.com

 

The High Kings performing Red is the Rose at the Iowa Irish Fest.

 

Nashville

“Only in Nashville can you walk into a honky tonk and legendary Grammy winning artist and guitarist extraordinaire Brent Mason is at the next table. I own so many country albums that this dude plays on. Blown away to hear him jam with the house band and chat with him afterwards.
Great hang.”

 

Photo copyright Charlie Brock.

“Thanks you Nashville. As always......an absolute pleasure.”

Des Moines - Iowa

“About to go live on TV in Des Moines, Iowa. CW Live.” ‪#‎hkusa

An early start for The High Kings as they dropped in the studios of KCWI Des Moines for their first TV of the day. They performed Ireland's Shore on CWI Live ahead of their show at the Hoyt Sherman. Summer 2016 US Tour. 

“Second TV of the day KCCI News Des Moines.” ‪#‎abc

Watch the High Kings in the studio having a brief chat for KCCI News in Des Moines.

“Last night was epic. Top notch crowd in this beautiful theatre. Des Moines, Iowa. Thank you!”

Irish Festival of Minnesota

“About to step onstage in St Paul in blistering sunshine. It's been a while since we played this beautiful city. Good to be back!”

“What a crowd!! St Paul, Minnesota.
Unreal. US summer tour fun”

Kent Stage – Ohio

“Proud to play the same theatre tomorrow night that Glen Campbell played on his farewell tour.” ‪#‎kentstage ‪#‎kentunivercity ‪#‎ohio

“Kent, Ohio. That was unreal. What a fantastic crowd, in a classic old theatre. Hope to see you again. Thanks to the many folks who travelled from out of State to tonight’s concert.
On to Cincinnati tomorrow.”

Cincinnati

“Cincinnati...amazing. Sold out and you guys couldn't be louder if you tried. Definitely one to remember from the tour. Just arrived in Milwaukee for 2 days of Festival shenanigans. Now...Zzzzzzz”

Milwaukee

“Gymming it up with Dunphy.”

“Another great HK USA summer tour rolls on.
Tonight....Milwaukee.”

Update from HKHQ: “THAT moment from last night at Milwaukee Irish Fest!!”

“Backstage, about to go on in Milwaukee.”

Walking out to a great reception!

Watch a little Fields of Athenry in Milwaukee

Watch the lads on the “Rocky Road to Milwaukee”

City Winery Chicago

“High Kings Red wine available at our City Winery concert in Chicago tonight.”

"Big thanks to City Winery Chicago for having us tonight. One of the most fun shows we've had in quite a while. Fantastic hospitality from the staff and a crowd that we wish we could take everywhere with us!”

The High Kings performing Leaving of Liverpool at City Winery in Chicago.

Bayfield

“Front porch chillin'.” #hkusa #lakesuperior 

“When you bring "Socks in the Frying Pan" onstage for the last couple of songs. What a blast. Thank you Bayfield!! A night to remember.”

Buffalo

'The Buffalo News' newspaper August 29th 2016.

Kansas 

 “Thanks to Fox4 TV in Kansas for the great welcome they gave us on their show this morning. Really great folks.”
#hkusa#hkonthetelly 

"Kansas City Royals v New York Yankees.
Great fun with the guys tonight. Thanks to all the baseball fans and staff here for an incredible welcome. An absolute honour to sing for you all.”

“Some footage from last night baseball game. Royals v Yankees.
Thanks to Patty Toy Steck for capturing this.” 

 “Thanks to Kansas City Live for having us on this morning!” #hkusa

CLICK HERE to watch their performance

“Hey Kansas City Missouri, tomorrow morning on FM Radio "101 THE FOX" Brian and myself will be on air with one of Americas top morning Rock Radio DJ's "Slacker". Our segment will air at approximately 6.45am and repeat around 8.30am.
Check it out!”

Listen to the interview.

CLICK HERE

“What a great way to wrap up the tour. Joined onstage for the finale by Patrick and Steve from the great Gaelic Storm.
Fantastic crowd went into overdrive and kicked it home with us.”

The High Kings joined on stage by Gaelic Storm performing Whisky in the Jar at Kansas Irish Fest.

"Tonight in Kansas City, Missouri, we finally wrap up a long High Kings 6 week US tour. We've been all over, and the reaction and support we've received is truly amazing and appreciated. The HK army continues to grow and evolve. Many fans travel all over the USA with us, planning their summer vacations around our concert appearances.
That really is incredible to me. We are always humbled and grateful to hear you guys at every show, and know you are behind us every step.
We couldn't do this without you.
We also couldn't do it at the level we do, without a terrific road crew.
Ronan, Bobby, Paddy and Vivien. Super guys.
It's difficult to be away from our families for long periods, but the welcome we get on tour, particularly here in America, is something we never take for granted.
Thanks for making this our biggest US stint to date and we will see y'all very soon for round 2!”

“Thank you Kansas City!”

“Landed in Dublin! 😊
Straight to Newry for telly show with Daniel O' Donnell.” 😊
#opry#needtosleep

Emerald Guitars, UK Festivals, and more....

Ambassador Emerald Guitars 

“Absolutely delighted to receive this stunning X20 Artisan from Sean Feeny, PR for Emerald Guitars in Donegal.
I will be honoured to play this unique and amazing carbon fibre instrument.
A great start to my birthday weekend.
Thanks Sean and Alan!”

 

Official photos of Darren with his new Emerald Guitar

Emerald Guitars: "We are so honoured to have such a talented performer as Darren as one of our ambassadors!"

Photos copyright emeraldguitars.com

 

 

"Proud and honoured to see the brand new official video of my becoming an ambassador for Emerald Guitars.
Huge thanks to Alastair, Sean and Alan from Emerald for reaching out to me to make this happen."

  

RSVP Magazine

"Piece from the July edtion of RSVP Magazine."

 

WLR FM Interview

Listen to Darren chatting to Geoff Harris on WLR FM.

CLICK HERE

From The Archives

Darren's tribute to Diana Princess of Wales.
She would have been celebrating her 55th Birthday on the 1st July.
(this is YouTube version of video also on Darren's Facebook)

 

“So, this video just picked up 23,000 views, and was shared more than 500 times in just the last 4 days, since being re-posted. Big thanks!

 

Isle of Wight Festival

"Looking forward to folking up the 'Big Top' on Saturday and 'The Main Stage" at The Isle of Wight Festival this Sunday.

Should be an amazing weekend!”
‪#‎thewho ‪#‎queen ‪#‎stereophonics

Update from HKHQ – “Our home for the weekend at Isle of Wight Festival 2016!” #theboysarebackintown #IOW2016

Photo copyright thehighkings.com

 

 

Update from HKHQ – “Posing! Onstage at 745pm!" ‪#‎HardRockStage ‪#‎IOW2016

Photo copyright thehighkings.co

Hard Rock Stage

 

Big Top Stage 

Main Stage

“Can honestly say that today will be one off the bucket list when we will play this monster behind me, currently inhabited by Queen's roadcrew."

  

"Wrapping up an amazing weekend at The Isle of Wight Festival. Incredible memories. One of the gigs to remember today. Brilliant crowd.
Thanks to John Giddings for inviting us again.”

 

Update from HK HQ: “Thank you ‪#‎IOW2016, we had an absolute blast! We have so many people to thank for such an amazing experience, the Festival Production Team and the Artist Liaison Team were, as always, outstanding. Special thanks to those of you who came to listen to us for the very first time and decided to stick around and dance a little! Steve Matthews Travel LTD you rock!"

Photo copyright thehighkings.com

 

Photos from the High Kings performances on the Hard Rock, Big Top, and Main stages at the Isle of Wight Festival.

Photos copyright of Mary E Young

Glastonbury

“The joys of it! Glastonbury, complete with up to your neck muck fest. Great buzz here. Trying to find a screen. Now to watch the game. COYBIG!”

 

“Glastonbury. Unreal. Amazing experience.
Thanks to the BBC for sharing this performance of our brand new single
'Hand me down my Bible'.”

[Sorry we have removed the video as BBC have now set it to private]

“Makes it all worthwhile when you get a message from Phil Coulter, thanking me and the lads for keeping his song alive. He reckons Luke Kelly would've approved too!
That's good enough for me.”

 

Watch the High Kings performing on the Acoustic stage at Glastonbury

 

Listen to the High Kings chatting and performing Hand Me Down My Bible and Red Is The Rose with Cerys Matthews on BBC 6 Music, live from Glastonbury.

CLICK HERE


Irish Shows

“Donegal kicked the weekend off in style last night. Loud as Folk!
Tonight it's an open air concert in New Ross.
Paddy Casey will have you warmed up and raring to go before we take to the stage at 9pm.
Bring it on!”

“New Ross, huge crowd, under a beautiful July sky last night was a memorable show. Thanks to everyone for coming out making it a great night.”

US Festivals

Colorado

Watch a little of the High Kings performing at the Colorado Irish Festival.

Update from HKHQ: "Thank You Colorado Irish Festival! What an amazing audience!"
‪#‎theboysarebackintown ‪#‎graceandglorytour

Photo copyright thehighkings.com

Chicago

A little video promo for the show at the IAHC in Chicago.

“CHICAGO.....That was off the scale! Hands down the loudest audience this summer so far. Loved being back with you all and grateful that like I said...You guys always show up and bring the party.
'Til the next time...”

Irish Music Magazine

“Irish Music Magazine review of Grace & Glory.”

Other Updates from Darren

“Ireland Funds Literary Awards. Mansion House.” ‪#‎highkings

“Grace & Glory is spending yet another week in the national Top 20.
Holding strong at number 12.
Massive thanks to the HK army and our friends at radio all over Ireland for the continued support! On a weekend that we play the main stage at the Isle of Wight festival....this is huge news!”

“The gifted Henry Mcullough passed away today. One of the many songs he graced with his genius was 'My Love' by Wings. A fantastic song became even more sublime by his achingly beautiful guitar solo.
When Paul Mcartney dedicated it to him at his Dublin show in 2010, it was quite a thrill to be sitting 3 seats away from Henry.
RIP.”

That's the round-up of all the news for now. The High Kings will soon be heading off to the US for an extended tour of festivals and shows during the rest of the summer. We'll be back in a few weeks with a round up from the US tour and all other news.



Thanks for your continued support.

Darren & The DH Team