We started their March of 2008 and we go back several times a year for the festivals, there are big summer festivals and St. Patricks Day - we tend to go for February and March, this year we are even going into April, which will be our longest tour over there. Purchase online using the button on the top right (scroll to the bottom of the page if using mobile), or you may visit or call our box office at 413-584-9032 ext.105. Brian is the son of Sean Dunphy, who represented Ireland in the 1967 Eurovision Song Contest. He usually plays the guitar and sometimes the banjo with The High Kings. They spoke to me on Sunday evening before their Dublin show and the very next night they were awarded the most successful Irish folk band worldwide by the Sunday World. Being of a gregarious nature, he enjoys immensely meeting fans of The High Kings after a show and hearing their stories. Click here to read our health and safety policy. In 2017 they released a compilation album Decade which celebrated 10 amazingly successful years together and also included 5 brand new recordings. And you can put your own little stamp on it, but you dont want to remove the sentiment of the song and what it is about. All patrons MUST present proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or a negative PCR test (within 72 hours prior to showtime) and a valid ID, and wear a mask inside the theater while not eating or drinking. [1] As of 2020, the group had released five studio albums, four live albums, two live DVDs, and one greatest hits album. The album contains traditional Irish music, ranging from religious songs to pub music. The album charted at number 1 on the Irish Indie charts and was very well received by critics and fans alike. Although they sing mostly traditional Irish songs, they are also known to sing arrangements of songs from other genres. The High Kings are Finbarr Clancy, Darren Holden, Brian Dunphy Paul O Brien. It easily crosses generations wherever that be parent or school kids or your parents, Brian continues: A lot of these kids have their earphones in listening to these songs while heading off to school or when going to school their mums or dads will have the CDs on in the car and they just listen to it and they like it. In September 2017 the band announced that Martin Furey would be retiring from The High Kings, and that an announcement would be made later regarding his replacement. Since the inception of the group, it has toured Ireland, the United States, and Europe on several occasions. In late December, the High Kings began their Grace & Glory tour. In 2013 the band licensed their forthcoming album 'Friends for Life to Sony Worldwide, another indication of their global appeal. His CD of original traditional/contemporary Country songs, Live & Learn, released in 2002 in the US, produced three top 40 airplay hits and Darren was nominated for a 2004 New Music Weekly Award (Best Male Country Artist). Roadworks followed in 2006 with success in Japan where it sold 20,000 copies. They had a top ten hit in France with the album Excalibur, featuring Jean Reno as Merlin. Holden plays the accordion, mandolin, guitar and keyboard with The High Kings. Their first three studio albums appeared at number three or higher on the Billboard world music chart,[2] the first two went platinum in Ireland,[3] and all of their albums charted in Ireland. The High Kings are Finbarr Clancy, Darren Holden, Brian Dunphy and newest member Paul O Brien. Growing up in the Clancy dynasty, Finbarrs was plucking the banjo and playing the bodhran from the age of 5. Taking their original songs on the road was a new and exciting milestone for the band and it wasnt long before the likes of Oh Maggie and Irelands Shore were being sung back to them by the audience. Within a few months of moving home, Finbarr joined The High Kings and spent all his time rehearsing and recording a new album and DVD. He typically plays the bodhrn and guitar with the group. People loved what they were doing bringing a new take on traditional Irish ballads to audiences of multiple generations. The Irish and the High Kings - IrishCentral.com [2] On St. Patrick's Day, they played for an American audience on "Live with Regis and Kelly," and performed on stage in Boston that night. He spent two years singing at The Gershwin Theatre on Broadway in New York and as lead vocalist in Radio City Music Hall. The High Kings formed in June 2007 when Brian, Darren, Finbarr and former member Martin Furey were asked to join a brand-new Irish ballad group by David Kavanagh after he had noticed a gap in the market for a band specialising in traditional . The band consists of Finbarr Clancy, Brian Dunphy, Darren Holden, and Paul O'Brien. It is a tough trick to do and not to venture away from the meaning of the song., Read more:Bringing old and new together this Kerry singer is making waves. Over the past 12 years The High Kings have released 4 studio albums, 2 live albums and 2 DVDs. And when we came out and done all the old songs, in the new way weve done them - its a link thats why they hold onto it. It was when Finbarr decided to move back to Ireland after touring the US that things started moving very quickly. Their latest Christmas song Christmas the way I remember goes to the melody of Loch Lomond (also used in Red is the Rose), Darren Holden, explains the choice: The melody as you know is from Loch Lomond, it is a melody we have been using for many years with an Irish song, which is, called Red is the Rose. Call: 413-584-9032 ext.105Tues-Fri 3-6pm, Copyright 2023 The Academy of Music Inc | Site by Itabix, Box Office Hours: 3pm - 6pm, Tuesday - Friday, Click here to read our health and safety policy. Finbarr Clancy added: Probably Whiskey in the Jar or something like that, Brian Dunphy suggests The Rocky Road to Dublin and Darren Holden adds, Yeah, its got the beats for kids and the funny thing is at some of our shows you see the little kids coming along and they know some of our songs, which you wouldnt expect them to know at all. He followed this success by appearing in the Broadway musical Movin' Out. Over the past 12 years The High Kings have released 4 studio albums, 2 live albums and 2 DVDs. In 2015 The High Kings were invited to the Pentagon as guests of General Martin Dempsey, who is the Chairman of The Joint Chiefs of Staff. Memory Lane was released in February 2010 and after a successful Irish tour the album went platinum in June only 4 months after its initial release. Dunphy had also been a member of the band Druid. paul@paulobrien.ca The High Kings announced that they would be debuting an album in November 2017, titled Decade: The Best of The High Kings. $25 - $45 + taxes & fees(Service fees will apply), Tickets Towards the end of 2009 The High Kings licensed their second studio album Memory Lane to Universal Music Ireland signifying the fast trajectory that the band had taken in their short lifespan. Children under the age of 12 that cannot get a vaccine MUST provide a negative PCR test and wear a mask. In 2015 The High Kings were invited to the Pentagon as guests of General Martin Dempsey, who is the Chairman of the The Joint Chiefs of Staff. There are loads of decedents Irish-Americans, who are right into their culture. Service fees always apply with purchase. Because its almost like these songs are passing through generations of musicians. Which is the one they do want to hold onto if they do move away from Ireland. Originally from Mooncoin County Kilkenny, he is comfortable performing all genres of music from Pop and Jazz to Country and Celtic. Despite having such a full schedule, Darren finds time to help out many worthy charities and frequently uses his talents to help others raise funds. He realised early on that the musical path would be the one he would follow. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Irish Rugby anthem Irelands Call the band were asked by the original composer Phil Coulter to record their own version which was subsequently included in the TV3 documentary. The Academy will hold all shows at full capacity. Friends For Life featured 8 original songs written and composed by the band and was released in 2013. He has gigged around many pubs and local venues in Ireland and also spent 2 years living and gigging in Puerto Rico in Gran Canaria as a one man band ! The High Kings formed in June 2007 when Brian, Darren, Finbarr and former member Martin Furey were asked to join a brand-new Irish ballad group by David Kavanagh after he had noticed a gap in the market for a band specialising in traditional Irish music. Billie Eilish releases theme song for new James Bond movie, Bringing old and new together this Kerry singer is making waves, Craic Fest, for the best of Irish film and music in New York City, How you can learn Gaelic literature and culture online with a top Irish university, All-male Beckett play canceled for only hiring male actors, The story behind Ireland's favorite song, The Cranberries "Zombie". In 2017 they released a compilation album Decade which celebrated 10 amazingly successful years together and also included 5 brand new recordings. The High Kings flew home specially for the event from their headline US tour, one of three hugely successful tours they completed in 2008. This was confirmed when their self-titled debut album reached number 2 on the world Billboard Music chart. After two years as part of Riverdance, he became a member of The Three Irish Tenors. On 18 March 2012 the High Kings headlined the Mayor of London's St Patrick's Day celebrations in Trafalgar Square to an estimated 15,000 people. To become an IrishCentral contributor click here. The High Kings performing in 2012 in Waterford, Ireland. Along with his wife Michelle, Darren revels in home life with daughters Ava and Sophie and son Josh. Most singers have others theyd love to collaborate with, well The High Kings are the same as Darren, said I think Imelda May - I just think if we were to get in the studio with her wed have a really good collaboration and a really good vibe, with good energy. The event was hosted by US President Barack Obama and attended by Taoiseach Enda Kenny. It didnt take long during their first studio rehearsal for them to realise that the way their individual voices blended together meant that they were onto something special. Box Office Hours: 3pm - 6pm, Tuesday - Friday And its well set up, so we go over there quite a bit and its great.. In March 2009 The High Kings played 5 consecutive sold out shows to a packed audience in Dublins Olympia Theatre. The High Kings are Finbarr Clancy, Darren Holden, Brian Dunphy Paul O' Brien. In 2012 they performed for President Obama in Moneygall, this led to a personal invitation from the president to perform at the 2012 White House St. Patricks day celebration. He was lead singer with RIVERDANCE on Broadway and on tour for more than three years. [citation needed], The High Kings' first album reached number two on Billboard Magazine's World Music chart. I think there is 85 million Irish around the world.. [4], On 12 March 2013 The High Kings announced a forthcoming third studio album produced by Sharon Shannon and John Dunford, consisting of eight original songs and a selection of classic ballads. So that would be the one for me, Finbarr adds, I thought you wouldve said Elvis as if you can do it with anyone dead or alive Darren responds, If its that definitely Elvis or Sinatra would be good too, or even The Beatles., In the near-distant future, you never know The High Kings may just get to collaborate Imelda May as Darren jokes Its something we can do in the future do a duet album - find us when were old. Brian was born in Dublin. But I wouldve loved to have done a full album with him., Read more:Craic Fest, for the best of Irish film and music in New York City. His first professional performance was on stage at the tender age of ten singing and playing the banjo with his cousin Eban Clancy (Liams son). And the lyrics came on our way to the JFK airport, as we had just finished a two-month tour of America and we were all on our way to go home and couldnt wait to be back with our families. 2021 sees the release of Home from Home, their brand-new 11 track album. Read more:Billie Eilish releases theme song for new James Bond movie, And then well be heading back over there in the summer. They are about to tour in the States, their biggest one yet starting on the 16th of February and lasting to 23rd of May. Furey left the band in September 2017. The High Kings. The High Kings formed in June 2007 when Brian, Darren, Finbarr and former member Martin Furey were asked to join a brand new Irish ballad group by David Kavanagh after he had noticed a gap in the market for a band specialising in traditional Irish music. As part of The Clancy Brothers, Finbarr played all over the world and had many TV appearances, as well as recording credits such as Clancy Sings Along Songs, The Quiet Land and Make Me a Cup with Bobby Clancy and Eddie . Paul himself is a self-taught musician; he plays Guitar, Banjo, Mandolin, Bouzouki, Whistles, Harmonica and of course Bodhrn. Brian, I love you can I get a hug? she said, so Brian went down and when he gave her a hug, she got him by the neck, and his legs were dangling as he came off the stage. Its pretty amusing standing there on stage watching these little nippers singing these songs. Holden played the role of Billy Joel both on Broadway and on a national tour of the United States (January 2004 January 2007), as well as tours of Canada and Japan in 2006. "Hand Me Down My Bible" was released as a single in July 2016 and quickly became played on many radio stations in Ireland to much acclaim. The High Kings continue to set the bar extremely high for Irish Folk bands across the world and are widely regarded to be at the forefront of the genre. They flew directly from London where they had already been the headline act for the Lord Mayor of Londons St. Patricks Day concert. The album reached number three on the Billboard Top World Albums chart.[2]. The High Kings play 13 instruments between them, creating the unique sound and atmosphere that they still showcase to this day. The High Kings - Wikipedia After touring with Billboard chart toppers, Celtic Woman, The High Kings came back to Ireland to do two sell out tours, within months of each other. As we tried to pull him back it was like a tug of war!. Paul O'Brien As Darren said, It was the biggest hometown crowd he had ever played for. The High Kings continue to set the bar extremely high for Irish Folk bands across the world and are widely regarded to be at the forefront of the genre. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Memory Lane was released in February 2010 and after a successful Irish tour the album went platinum in June only 4 months after its initial release. The album spent a total of thirty-six weeks on the chart.[2]. The rest of 2016 and early 2017 was spent extensively touring the new album. He also performed on three albums with this father. Where/ How Tickets Can be Purchased: The High Kings performing in 2012 in Waterford, Ireland. By 2011 the band had out grown the venues they had been previously playing and had to start playing larger venues not only in Ireland but also in America and across Europe. They performed alongside the US Marine Corps band marking another special occasion for the band. So, when we got back, we took a week off to see our families and then we got back into the studio, and we put it out and it has down really, really well for us.