So far it has lead him to great accomplishments and also to meeting his wife Ann, with whom he appeared in a stage version of Rocky Horror Picture show. The band will undertake their most extensive Tour of the US in 2016 with almost 50 shows confirmed. 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. Music Contact Blog. Once a member of the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem, Finbarr Clancy - son of Bobby Clancy added: there is this tightrope and its a problem because it is good to innovate songs and for bands to put their own stamp on a song. Along with his wife Michelle, Darren revels in home life with daughters Ava and Sophie and son Josh. [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. Originally from Mooncoin County Kilkenny, he is comfortable performing all genres of music from Pop and Jazz to Country and Celtic. The Irish folk band first formed in 2008, but it now consists of Darren Holden, Brian Dunphy, Finbarr Clancy, and the newest member Paul OBrien, as they continue to sell out arenas around the world. 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. Pauls father also played Bodhrn and spoons and his musicality passed itself down a generation. 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. And its well set up, so we go over there quite a bit and its great.. Following Riverdance he joined The Three Irish Tenors and enjoyed huge success stateside, and Europe beckoned next as he took on a role performing as his father in a tribute to the Irish Show-Band stars of yesteryear, Dance Hall Qs And Hucklebuck Shoes. Children under the age of 12 that cannot get a vaccine MUST provide a negative PCR test and wear a mask. 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 . Live and Learn was released in the United States in March 2003, garnering three top 40 airplay hits on the country music charts. $25 - $45 + taxes & fees(Service fees will apply), Tickets The band consists of Finbarr Clancy, Brian Dunphy, Darren Holden, and Paul O'Brien. The early part of 2016 was spent back in the studio recording their Grace & Glory album. Many fans became regular faces as they effectively followed the band on their sold-out tours many crossing oceans and borders through-out the world just to see their favourite band perform live. Speaking about the success in America and the rest of the world, Finbarr Clancy, said: We have been touring America since we started as a band, were coming onto our 14th year now. Finbarr Clancy toured the United States and Ireland in the 1990s with the Clancy Brothers, one of the most successful folk groups in Irish traditional music. Darren Holden starred in Riverdance: The Show on Broadway for eighteen months. The worst part is some of them sing Whiskey in the Jar - its probably the only country in the world you can get kids to sing about loving whiskey and get away with it!, Brian Dunphy continues on: Its really whatever youre brought up with.. This article was submitted to the IrishCentral contributors network by a member of the global Irish community. While there, he had the honour of performing the American National Anthem at Madison Square Gardens and appearing on The Today Show. Although his schedule is hectic, he manages to balance his work and home life, as he has had not one, but two new arrivals to his family since joining The High Kings. The rest of 2016 and early 2017 was spent extensively touring the new album. Darren relished the opportunity to join The High Kings, and reach a new audience, singing the songs he had learnt as a child. Following the passing of his uncle Paddy and later his father, Bobby in 2002. Service fees always apply with purchase. Its a song we learned and listened to while growing up, it is wonderfully written by Liam Reilly, one of our best songwriters, its just a real story song. Throughout his already very successful career, Brian has had the honour of recording with many artists including world renowned violinist Vanessa Mae, Celtic Woman, Bill Whelans Riverdance-On Broadway and Riverdance The 10th Anniversary. 2021 sees the release of Home from Home, their brand-new 11 track album. 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. 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. 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. It was when Finbarr decided to move back to Ireland after touring the US that things started moving very quickly. 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. In 2017 they released a compilation album Decade which celebrated 10 amazingly successful years together and also included 5 brand new recordings. In March 2009 The High Kings played 5 consecutive sold out shows to a packed audience in Dublins Olympia Theatre. To purchase by phone, 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. A top ten recording artist in Ireland, Darren toured with Boyzone on their first major tour of Ireland and the UK . Tuesday, March 15, 2022 at 8:00 pm Holden has also released three successful solo albums. They just want to hold onto it - the things they listened to when they were younger. 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. The High Kings is an Irish folk group formed in Dublin in 2008. [5] On 23 September 2013 The High Kings released Friends For Life on the Sony record label. Then they want to link onto heritage as well if their Grandparents or Great Grandparents are from Ireland, they have that link through music there isnt really any other outlet they can but through the music, they can. The band consists of Finbarr Clancy, Brian Dunphy, Darren Holden, and Paul O'Brien. He regularly performed in Kilkenny City through the Summer season, singing Irish Ballads and Folk music to the tourist audience, with a big American contingent who were highly appreciative. In 2019 after a 12 year journey. 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. Growing up in the Clancy dynasty, Finbarrs was plucking the banjo and playing the bodhran from the age of 5. He usually plays the guitar and sometimes the banjo with The High Kings. Feb 21, 2020. After the release of their first album, the new group moved from a highly staged format to a more natural performance style. On 20 March 2012 The High Kings were invited to perform at the Official St Patrick's Day Celebrations at The White House in Washington DC, United States. 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. He sang and played 5 string banjo, electric bass and flute with the group, which consisted at the time of Finbarr's father, Bobby Clancy, his uncles Paddy Clancy and Liam Clancy, and his cousin, singer-songwriter Robbie O'Connell. The music of the Clancys was integral to Finbarrs musical education and he hopes to continue this strong ballad tradition with The High Kings. The High Kings - the heirs to Irish folk (From left to right; Finbarr Clancy; Brian Dunphy; Daniel Byron; Paul O'Brien; and Darren Holden) Daniel Byron. He released a solo album entitled, Timeless, as well, in which Darren helped cowrite some of the original material. [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. 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. In 2013 the band licensed their forthcoming album 'Friends for Life to Sony Worldwide, another indication of their global appeal. 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". Having just left America, Finbarr found himself back in New York, appearing on hit TV shows The View and This Morning performing with The High Kings. 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. 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. Paul O'Brien The event was hosted by US President Barack Obama and attended by Taoiseach Enda Kenny. Their third album Friends for Life contains both traditional Irish songs, as well as some original songs. Spring 2023 Tour Dates Added. When asked about what is the best thing about Irish music that helps it resonates with so many people, The stories, Finbarr says before, Brian Dunphy adds: It is about the stories, the songs, its about I suppose what we have brought the old songs as well as people really want to hold on to their heritage. 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. Being of a gregarious nature, he enjoys immensely meeting fans of The High Kings after a show and hearing their stories. The album spent a total of thirty-six weeks on the chart.[2]. Because its almost like these songs are passing through generations of musicians. Brian is never fazed by the wise-cracking comments thrown at him from a sometimes raucous audience member. He was lead singer with RIVERDANCE on Broadway and on tour for more than three years. The idea behind this album was to bring our fans on a journey across the world, to some of the places we call home when we tour, via some of the classic folk songs that have inspired us along the way., Show Date/Time: The album reached number three on the Billboard Top World Albums chart.[2]. In 2019 after a 12 year journey The High Kings continue to perform in sell out venues across the globe to their ever-growing army of loyal fans that span generations. They flew directly from London where they had already been the headline act for the Lord Mayor of Londons St. Patricks Day concert. People loved what they were doing; bringing a new take on traditional Irish ballads to audiences of multiple generations. 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. Brians biggest break came when he won the Lead singer role in Riverdance The Show, traveling extensively throughout America, Canada, China, Australia and Europe. November 2014 marked another milestone for the band when they recorded Four Friends Live at the Millennium Forum in Derry which was their first joint CD/DVD and the first live DVD recording since the debut DVD Live In Dublin in 2008. He had numerous chart hits with such songs as After Tonight and More Than I Can Say. His debut solo album, Suddenly produced three top 20 hits. [8] Murphy continued to perform with the group from 2017 to 2019 before announcing that he would be "stepping away to focus on his solo career". 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 performing in 2012 in Waterford, Ireland. In 2008, the High Kings toured the United States with Celtic Woman as the opening act. Paul OBrien is a singer and songwriter from Rathdowney, Co. Laois. 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. Brian is the son of Sean Dunphy, who represented Ireland in the 1967 Eurovision Song Contest. The High Kings - ACADEMY OF MUSIC The Academy will hold all shows at full capacity. Finbarr began touring North America with his Father and Uncles, The Clancy Brothers, in 1995. I think there is 85 million Irish around the world.. 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. The High Kings - About "Artists: The High Kings Chart History (World Albums)", "The High Kings Announce George Murphy Joining Them For Canadian Tour", "Laois musician becomes newest member of popular Irish band", "Artists: The High Kings Chart History (Billboard 200)", "Artists: The High Kings Chart History (Independent Albums)", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_High_Kings&oldid=1138027986, Pages using infobox musical artist with associated acts, Articles with unsourced statements from June 2020, Articles with unsourced statements from August 2022, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 7 February 2023, at 17:02. The High Kings is an Irish folk group formed in Dublin in 2008. In March 2009 The High Kings played 5 consecutive sold out shows to a packed audience in Dublins Olympia Theatre. In June 2016 the band played all 3 stages at the Isle of Wight Festival, followed by a performance at Glastonbury Festival 2016 on the Acoustic Stage. He realised early on that the musical path would be the one he would follow. The High Kings announced that they would be debuting an album in November 2017, titled Decade: The Best of The High Kings. Recorded live at Concert Deck in Dublin, Home from Home is a journey through classic folk songs, old and new. Over the past 12 years The High Kings have released 4 studio albums, 2 live albums and 2 DVDs. Holden plays the accordion, mandolin, guitar and keyboard with The High Kings. Brian Dunphy got his first break as a performer in Riverdance: The Show. Read more:Billie Eilish releases theme song for new James Bond movie, And then well be heading back over there in the summer. He continues to perform solo shows when not with The High Kings. [1] As of 2020, the group had released five studio albums, four live albums, and two live DVDs, and one greatest hits album. In late December, the High Kings began their Grace & Glory tour. Irish folk band The High Kings have opened up on why they think theyre successful in Ireland and further abroad - no other band can renovate Irish music like them, but they do admit it is a very fine line of pulling it off. 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. Paul himself is a self-taught musician; he plays Guitar, Banjo, Mandolin, Bouzouki, Whistles, Harmonica and of course Bodhrn. In 2013 the band licensed their forthcoming album Friends For Life to Sony Worldwide another indication of their global appeal. paul@paulobrien.ca Its a good lyrical and musical coming together and its a song I think well have at our disposal for many years to come., The best song to show a newcomer, wherever that be a Grandparent or a friend, or anyone who hasnt listened to their music before.