Monday 28 March 2016

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.

https://www.facebook.com/darrenholden72/videos/10153108092356789/

A video montage of Darren performing as lead vocalist in the Broadway production of Riverdance in February 2001, with female lead vocalist Sara Clancy.
https://www.facebook.com/darrenholden72/videos/10154004505991789/

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

https://www.facebook.com/darrenholden72/videos/10154061786181789/

 

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.”

https://www.facebook.com/darrenholden72/videos/10154040816531789/ 

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

https://www.facebook.com/darrenholden72/videos/10154043634631789/

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!”

 https://www.facebook.com/darrenholden72/videos/10154059920671789/

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 "Seachtai
n 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