Happy St Paddy's Day UK!

Hi Everyone

We have gone a little out of order with the updates, as we thought that the High Kings performing for President and Mrs Obama at the White House was too special to wait and we wanted to share it with you as soon as possible. But now Darren and the rest of the High Kings are back in Ireland, it is time to wind the clock back. We are now bringing you all the news, photos, and videos from their headlining performance at the Mayor of London's St Patrick's Day Festival in Trafalgar Square on the eve of their trip to Washington. It was quite a week in HK World!!

A few words from Darren

“Happy St Patricks Day everyone! Lets paint the world Green tomorrow!

Looking forward to heading to London on Sunday morning where The High Kings will headline a massive outdoor festival in Trafalgar Square at 5pm on Sunday evening. Then its on the USA where we will ..........well, as much as I'd love to tell you, you'll just have to wait and see. Here's a hint....I have done it before I became a High King. : )”

“Well, heading to bed (yes bed!!) due to a 4am start in the morning to London. Should be a great day! See you all there HKUK.

Then on to the USA for a few days with a very special event on Tuesday.”

“Soundchecked a few hours ago in Trafalgar Square, ready to rock London at 5pm! Should be a blast. There is a HUGE crowd gathering so bring it on!!!”

Sharing the Memories - The Videos

The DH Team were in London to film the High Kings headline performance. Here are a couple of videos from the set.

This player has all 12 songs in order so you don't have to miss a single moment of a very special day!

Sharing the Memories - The Photos

The High Kings on stage taken from the back of the square. Photo courtesy and copyright of Abby Simms.

A very 'High King'. Video screenshot of the very last note of Leaving of Liverpool!

This photo slide has all the photos from a very special day!

“What a day! Seriously one of the best. 15,000 people in Trafalgar Square London, who waited all day in the cold for us. We had a ball. We played- they sang! Amazing. So great to catch up with so many friends, like Donal and Gino from "4 Men and a Dog" and my buddy Oliver from Porterhouse. Laughed all day long and absolutely loved the 2 muppets who climbed the water fountain after our set and waved the Irish Flag at security. : )
One to remember.
Early start to the USA in the morning.”

The High Kings got a fantastic reception from a very enthusiastic crowd, a high percentage of who didn't know them and very few who would have seen them live before. They certainly won't forget them. It wasn't a bad warm up for the White House!

Back in Ireland

“On route to Lillies Bordello. I am live in The Library at Midnight.”

“Brilliant vibe tonight in Lillies.Great gig. Totally delighted to see my buddy Bill Quigley from Boston who came along to hang out and presented me with 4 amazing Custom police badges for myself and the lads in THK.
What a great guy. Cheers Bill!”

“One of the nicest things I have ever been given. A customised US Police badge courtesy of my buddy Bill.”

“Late show's at Lillies, complete with the clocks going forward, make for a very tired boy! Good job that it's such a beautiful morning with cracking weather.
My thoughts go out to my lovely Michelle who has to work today. : (“

“What an amazing day! Hope this isn't our summer : )
Chilling in the garden with the kiddies, wish mummy was here.”

A very special night coming up!

"Hey everyone. Tune in to "TIPP FM RADIO" tomorrow at 12.30pm, when I'll be chatting live on air with Fran Curry about The High Kings upcoming concert at The Park Hotel, Clonmel on Saturday April 14th.
We are doing the show in aid of "My Canine Companion" a very worthwhile charity which provides highly trained dogs to children with autism.
I can confirm that there is a massive buzz about this show, and tickets are moving very fast. Tune in tomorrow for more details."

Click to listen to Darren's Interview

   

That's all the news for now. We hope you enjoyed catching up on all the events in Trafalgar Square.

Thanks for your continued support.

Darren and the DH Team

The High Kings at the White House!

Hi Everyone

Well it's been a very exciting week, the big news was under wraps for a while, but the clues were there in 'extracts' from Darren's Status updates in the build up to the big day! He wasn't allowed to say, but there was a little hint here and there!

“Then its on the USA where we will ..........well, as much as I'd love to tell you, you'll just have to wait and see. Here's a hint....I have done it before I became a High King. : )”

"Then on to the USA for a few days with a very special event on Tuesday.”

“Early start to the USA in the morning.”

It was obvious he was itching to tell as the status updates dropped even bigger hints!

“Early start to the USA in the morning.”
Well, after a long day of travel, we finally landed in............: )”
Seriously folks, if I could tell you I would. The weather is amazing, and we are about to go and perform 2 songs at a gala ball and join many Irish dignitaries for dinner afterwards.
Tomorrow..........: )
I will say this. its so great to be back in the USA.”

“First appearance done. Really fantastic event attended by a famous Irish man. Good vibes all around. I have some great memories of where we are, when Michelle and I attended something amazing a few years back when I was performing on my lonesome. I am certain that it will again be very special tomorrow.”

Then finally the secret was out!

“What a beautiful morning in DC! Off to the gym now, and then I need coffee.......”

“Hey Everyone. Tonight...... we are playing at The White House for President Obama, at the request of the main man himself! We are so excited to be here, and I cannot believe I am getting to sing there again! Crazy.
A massive day awaits us, and at 6.30 we get to sit down with 'Ol Barrack.
Can't wait!”

“Soundcheck done. Completely surreal yet again. Just got to wander around the big house by ourselves and chill amidst so much history. Blessed to get to do this again, and very grateful. Roll on tonight. Unfortunately the many pics taken will have to remain private. House rules.”


8 years ago Darren was proud to have been invited to perform for President and Mrs Bush at the White House Christmas Pageant. To perform there once in his career was an honour, but now he has been invited back with The High Kings, at the personal invitation of President Obama, to perform at the White House again!! There can't be too many artists that can claim to have performed for two different presidents at the White House!

This is the official Press release!

 

Think we can safely say that it was quite a night!!

A few words from Darren

"WOW!! Now that was an absolutely incredible night! One of the best ever. We rocked The East Room in style tonight, right after an official photograph with President and Mrs Obama. What a lovely couple. Our own PM Enda Kenny was there with us, along with his good wife for the second night in succession. This is the stuff you tell your kids and grandkids about in years to come. We take lifelong memories with with us tonight. Big thanks to The White House staff who looked after us so well today. And more importantly, huge thanks to Maggie and Dick Holden for encouraging my love of music."

Next day it was back on a plane and heading home to his family in Ireland taking all his memories to share with them. But, with his feet barely back on home soil, he was eager to share them with us too.

“Hi folks. I will be chatting to Sue Nunn about playing The White House, on KCLR FM at 9.30am this morning"

CLICK HERE to listen to the interview

Check out the personal photos from the White House courtesy of Darren and www.thehighkings.com

Press Article

The Irish Sun 22 March 2012

 

We hope you have enjoyed sharing Darren's experiences of performing at the White House for the second time in his career. We'll be back with all the news, video and photos from the St Patrick's Day Festival in Trafalgar Square very soon.

Thanks for your continued support

Darren and the DH Team

Music, Young Voices O2, Paddy's Day, and more!!

Hi Everyone

It is a little while since we blogged as The High Kings have been taking a bit of a break during most of February. But we've still been busy and have lots to share with you now to bring you up to date.

A few status updates from Darren

  
“Looking forward to being back on the road tonight with a sold out show in The Mount Errigal Hotel in Letterkenny. Should be a right craic. Missing Utd v Liverpool though! : (“

“Letterkenny!! One of the best and biggest crowds we have played to in Ireland ever!

An absolute stormer from start to finish with a raucous crowd so fired up they all but exploded!! Love nights like this. Thanks Donegal.”

“Shocked to hear of Whitney Houstons passing. What a tragic loss. RIP

Its a beautiful sunny Sunday morning here in Dublin. Hope you are all well.”

“What a great morning. Sun shining, blue sky and the air full of possibilities.
Have a great day folks.”

“Looking forward to 'Createyournight.com's 3rd Birthday Party tonight in Lillies.....should be fun!”

“And the winner is........Jedward. Unless something crazy happens.
Sorry, but the other song's and performances were more than a tad yawnfest. Donna's could have been great but shite performance factor let it down. Una and David were actually very good, but for me the Eurovision is built for Jedward.

I'm looking forward to Eurovision already!! Should be Jedtastic!”

“7 hours pruning and cleaning the garden with herself, makes for a happy Saturday.
And a bad back : p”

“Fantastic 8 point victory for Kilkenny v Tipp in the league opener. Probably should have been put away long before the end, but here's hoping the bad misses were down to just being rusty.”

“Mad workout this morning! Feeling ready for anything now! Within reason....: )”

“Absolutely floored to learn of Davy Jones sad and very sudden passing. All my memories of Saturday mornings having breakfast, while watching The Monkees just came flooding back! Only saw him a few years ago in Mohegan Sun Casino, Connecticut. We were doing separate shows there and he was such a lovely man and one of the very few all rounders left in the business. He will be very missed. RIP.”

“Just saw an amazing accoustic show by a country music hero of mine Colin Raye. What a singer, what memories! Plus, I was very proud of my boy Ollie who made him sound even better than the record! Nobody does sound like the Ollmeister. Great to meet so many familiar faces too.”

“On route to Lillies Bordello where I am live in the Library at 11.30pm!
Wonder who'll pop in tonight??? Should be fun.”

“Mental gig at Lillies. Hopping crowd all night!
Loved it. Dublin is absolutely buzzing tonight.”

New photo videos for Darren's Roadworks Album

We hope you will enjoy the two videos of Darren's Roadworks tracks with photos set to the music. You will also find The Breath You Took Away and The Real Me in the player below them, along with other videos of Darren's original music.

New Darren Music Websites

We work hard to ensure that Darren is represented on all the most high profile music sites so fans can find him and listen to his music wherever they look for him. We are pleased to now have Darren Holden channels on 3 more major music websites.

Soundcloud

soundcloud.com/darrenholden 

TwitMusic

You can log in and become a fan via your twitter account. Please show Darren your support and re-tweet his Roadworks tracks.

twitmusic.com/artists/darren-holden

PureVolume

www.purevolume.com/DarrenHolden

Special High Kings Fundraiser Night

“Hey everyone. on April 14th, The High Kings will perform a very special concert at The Park Hotel Clonmel in aid of Autism.
It is an event very close to my heart and I would like to thank the guys for coming in board to help out.
Details for purchasing tickets etc will be announced very soon. Stay tuned and hope to see many of you at the show.”

Young Voices Tour - O2 Arena

“Just spent a really nice day at home in Mooncoin with the gang. Sunshine all day and just totally chilled out.
Heading to London tomorrow to kick off 4 nights at The O2 with The High Kings and Young Voices. Should be a blast!!” 

“Just arrived at the O2. Holy Moly! 4 nights in a row kicking off tonight with 19,000 tickets sold! Bring it on!
Plus my wifey and little boy are here to see it! : )” 

Guest appearance from Beverley Knight

 

“Show number 2 at the O2. Last night was simply incredible! One to remember for sure. Ready to do it all over again and finally the Irish media have begun to take notice! Never heard of an Irish folk band playing to this amount of people in one week before. Thanks to The Daily Star for being first out of the hurdles for an exclusive story that will run in the coming days.”

 

Connie Talbot officially broke the World record for the most backing singers when she sang 'Run'. As The High Kings had the same backing for their songs, they sort of 'unofficially' broke the record too!

“Gearing up for the 3rd of 4 nights here at The O2 London. A very exciting special guest will join the show tonight!!
Just back from the tube station, as Michelle and little Joshy are traveling home this evening. Lots of little tears....: (“

“Amazing 3rd O2 show last night, 20,000 people rocked it out for 2 hours.
The amazing Alexandra Burke was last nights special guest, and she performed a beautiful tribute to Whitney Houston.
Tonights the last show here in London until we play an outdoor concert in Trafalgar Square on March 18th.
We have had a blast and take away very special memories that will last forever.” 

"Rocking it out with Alexandra Burke and Randolph Matthews at London's O2"

It was certainly an amazing week at the O2 in London and the perfect way to end the Young Voices Tour. We hope you will enjoy the photos and videos that follow as we captured the memories.

“Well, Goodnight London. We have reached the end of an amazing tour and tomorrow we head home. We have played to 80,000 people in 4 nights at the O2.
Incredible memory to take back with us. Thanks UK. "

The videos of the final night!

 The videos were filmed closer than previously. For the Queen Medley we followed Darren up in to the crowd as he made contact with his audience. He just made it back to the stage in time for the final 'Don't stop me now!' bringing the tour to a close.

Photos of the O2 Arena concerts

This slideshow features photos and screen shots taken across all four nights of the O2 Arena Young Voices concerts.








“Ahhh home again. : )”

Back in the UK for St Paddy's Day!!

The High Kings will be back in the UK on 18th March to headline the Lord Mayor of London's St Patrick's Day celebrations in Trafalgar Square! Last year 100,000 people attended the official London celebrations!

Check out all the information, schedules and parade routes on...

Official Mayor of London Website

These are photos of the official brochure issued in a number of UK Irish publications

That's all for now, we hope to be able to bring you all the news from St Paddy's Day in Trafalgar Square next weekend. Until then...

Thanks for your continued support

Darren & the DH Team

Royal Albert Hall DVD Video Preview and Update

Would you like a DVD of the High Kings performing at the Royal Albert Hall, including the fabulous Queen Medley?

The event was being recorded for an official DVD which is available now in aid of the children's cancer charity CLIC Sargent.

The video is in PAL format, region free, costing just £13.75 incl. P&P for UK shipping. Overseas shipping is available with an additional postal charge by agreement. They are also able to produce an NTSC version for the US at a premium cost of £22.00 including P&P by request.

For overseas orders, including Rep. of Ireland, please phone of email Pembrokeshire Video Productions. UK orders can be made by email, phone or directly on their website.

www.pembrokeshirevideo.co.uk

clicsargent@pembrokeshirevideo.co.uk

Tel +44 (0) 1646 651 555

www.clicsargent.org.uk


Pembrokeshire Video Productions have very kindly made the following clips of the High Kings available on YouTube for us to share with you.

The second video has their first set of Rocky Road To Dublin and Whiskey In The Jar followed by and Darren and the lads putting their own stamp on a rocky performance of the Queen Medley.

The following slideshow is screenshots from the official video which we have produced with the kind permission of Pembrokeshire Video Productions.

The videos and photography are all copyright of Pembrokeshire Video Productions
 www.pembrokeshirevideo.co.uk

We hope you enjoyed the videos and will consider buying the DVD to support this very worthwhile children's cancer charity. The DVD is the full show, including the performances of Connie Talbot.

Thanks for your continued support

Darren and the DH Team

Darren Archives - Movin' Out Tokyo

Darren performed 1300 shows as Pianoman in Movin' Out, for the most part in the USA and Canada. But one of the highlights was taking the tour to Japan for a 6 week run from 27 July to 2 September 2006. They performed to great reviews and enthusiastic audiences at the Tokyo Koseinenkin Kaikan throughout.

"Darren Holden truly holds Movin' Out together and pumps out song after song with great passion. He's not imitating Joel, he's a star in his own right. He's sexy, breathy and really rocks."

-Amy Matsuoka, The Daily Yomiuri , Tokyo August 2, 2006

This photo slide has a full cast and crew photo from opening night, photos from the show, as well as some other personal performances from Darren with some of the Movin' Out band at Shinjunku station and Crawdaddy's Bar.

Darren, along with other members of the Movin' Out cast, were interviewed for a Japanese television station.

We have just added two videos of unseen footage of Darren's two interviews. Please note that these were actually filmed in Boston.

The first video shows Darren at the theatre with an opportunity to see him back stage and climbing his 30ft ladder to his piano up on the platform above the stage! The second interview is a rare opportunity to see Darren relaxing with his wife Michelle and their young son Josh, who were with him throughout the tour.

Screenshots from the videos

Darren's solo album Roadworks was released while he was in Japan and received an amazing reaction from the Japanese fans, selling over 20,000 copies. Here he is with a group of fans happy to have met Darren and got their copies signed!

We hope you have enjoyed sharing Darren's experiences of Japan in what was a very special and memorable time in his career.

STOP PRESS!!!!!!

The High Kings have just announced US festival dates!

Check the Tour Dates page for details


Darren is about to head of back to the UK with the High Kings to rejoin the Young Voices tour at the MEN Arena in Manchester.

Thanks for your continued support

Darren and the DH Team

Happy New Year and Irish Tour

“Had a really nice Christmas spent with family in Dublin and yesterday in Kilkenny. Kids had a ball with all their cousins and both nana's and grandad's.
Just about to head to Newry to kick off 4 nights in the north. Last 4 shows of a great year.”

“There are nights I'm reminded of why I love to do what I do. Being onstage in front of an incredible audience tonight, was a massive reminder. Holy baby Jesus, they rocked hard and never let up from start to finish. Loved it.”

“Gym done, coffee on. Ready to hit the road to Derry to play a sold out concert at The Millenium Forum. If it's anything like last night, we are in for a treat.”

“Derry....Thanks so much. Another incredible night. What a way to finish off this year! A sold out Millennium Forum and a brilliant crowd.
2 more shows to go before we appear on RTE 1 for the New Years Eve show on Saturday night!”

“Castleblaney! Loudest audience of 2011!
600 strong and very much part of making tonight one to remember for a long time.
What a night. What a week. Last concert of the year tomorrow night at The Strule Theatre in Omagh.”

"Well, the final concert of this tour and 2011 is over. What a year for HK. Incredible crowds and support throughout. We are always grateful. Tomorrow night we will ring in 2012 alongside Jedward, Declan O' Rourke etc on RTE 1. Should be an absolute blast.”

Happy New Year

“Hey everyone. I mightn't get a chance later, so let me now wish you all a very Happy 2012, filled with health, happiness and lots of luck! Hope it's a good one for us all. See ya'll on the flip side. D”

Darren says a few words from the RTE rehearsal.

The High Kings were proud to be invited to perform on RTE 1's New Year's Eve Live show, hosted by Miriam O'Callaghan. The show launched TV50 as Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTE) celebrates 50 years of Irish television. They performed Finnegan's Wake early in the show and were then joined on stage by Miriam and many of the other performers and guests as they gave a rousing performance of Whiskey in the Jar to close the show. Their first live performance of 2012.

Watch both performances below.

Fantastic New Year's night here with family. Lot's of fun had as usual. Hope you all have a brilliant 2012. So far so good."

Young Voices

The High Kings with Connie Talbot at the Royal Albert Hall

That's all the news for now, the Darren and the lads are taking a much needed break before they rejoin the UK Young Voices Tour in Manchester later this month.


Thanks for your continued support

Happy New Year to you all

Darren and the DH Team

Merry Christmas, Royal Albert Hall and more....

Hi everyone

Well with Christmas almost upon us once again, let me first of all wish you all the happiest season of all!

The last few weeks, and indeed months, have been crazy to say the least, with constant touring in Ireland and the UK. The UK tour with Young Voices, will go down as one of the very best we have done so far. Massive crowds every night, in some of the biggest arenas over there. The YV Team have been incredible, as have the crew and fellow performers. It's a memory to last forever, and there is still more to come, as next month we hook up with the tour once more for dates in Manchester.

2012 is still in the planning stages at the moment, so I can't comment too much about what we have up our sleeve, but on a personal level, I hope to perform a few solo dates during the year.

It's been one year since darrenholden.net was launched, and I would like to thank you all for stopping by regularly and keeping in touch with all things HK and DH through the regular blog's and newsletter.

All the best

Darren was proud to be invited to perform at the 2004 Christmas Pageant at The White House. The pageant marked the 81st lighting of the national Christmas tree in the company of President George Bush and Mrs Laura Bush.

Check out the player on www.darrenholden.net to listen to two Christmas songs, written by Darren with Bryan Steele, as well as a recording of The High Kings singing God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen live from Grafton Street Dublin on RTE Radio 1's Joe Duffy show Christmas Eve 2008. 

Click Here for a free download of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.

The Royal Albert Hall

Following fantastic shows with Young Voices at the LG Arena Birmingham and the Motorpoint Arena Sheffield, the High Kings were heading down to London with the show to the Royal Albert Hall for a special Christmas Celebration in aid of the Children's cancer charity CLIC Sargent.
 

“Just finished soundcheck at the Albert Hall. Walking out on that stage again took my breath away. Incredible place. One to savour tonight.”

“Well, All rehearsals are complete, and now it's get ready time for tonight's performance at the Royal Albert Hall. It's complete for me because my beloved Michelle is here with me to share the occasion. Just hope she hasn't melted my credit card on Oxford St!!!!!!”

“Just landed back in Dublin after a sensational tour, ending with a very memorable Albert Hall show last night!
Quick clothes swap and then on to the RDS for the first of 4 shows there kicking off at 7pm.
Can't wait to see me kiddies!!!”

Would you like a DVD of the High Kings performing at the Royal Albert Hall, including the fabulous Queen Medley?

There was no video recording allowed on the night as the event was being recorded for an official DVD to be sold in aid of the charity CLIC Sargent. Copies can be pre-ordered now and will be available Feb/March next year.

The video will be in PAL format, region free, costing just £13.75 incl. P&P for UK shipping. Overseas shipping is available but this will incur additional postal charges by agreement.

They are also able to produce an NTSC version for US shipping at a premium cost of £22.00 including P&P by request.

For overseas orders, including Rep. of Ireland, please phone of email Pembrokeshire Video. UK orders can be made by email, phone or directly on their website.

www.pembrokeshirevideo.co.uk

clicsargent@pembrokeshirevideo.co.uk


Tel +44 (0) 1646 651 555

The Norbury 

Between their Young Voices concerts in Birmingham and Sheffield, The High Kings popped down to London to perform their only full UK show during the tour.

“London baby!”

“Thanks to everyone for coming out to see us at The Norbury tonight. Good to play London again. Tomorrow we take the train to Sheffield for 3 nights at The Sheffield Arena, then back to London for The Albert Hall on Friday!!”

Home Sweet Home....

After a very successful couple of weeks, performing with over 30,000 children to packed arenas with audiences totalling close to 100,000 people, Darren and the lads are now back in Ireland. They performed 4 Hallelujah concerts with the Young Voices choirs of Ireland at Dublin's RDS over the weekend and are now embarking on the second leg of their Irish Winter tour with only a short break over Christmas ahead of them.

“First of the RDS shows went down a treat. Roll on tomorrow.... and another.....”

“Great crowd this afternoon at the RDS. Very very LOUD! Roll on tomorrow night.”

“Brilliant Night at the RDS. Massive and very loud crowd. One more to go.”

“Wrapping up 4 amazing nights at the RDS. It's been a blast. Tomorrow it's Enniskillen and Thursday Armagh.”

It's been a very busy few weeks, with more ahead as the High Kings see out the rest of 2011 with their home crowd!

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

Thanks for your continued support

Merry Christmas one and all!

Darren & The DH Team