The High Kings
Sunday, March 3, 2019 at 7:30PM at SOPAC
The High Kings are four extraordinary Irish singers who celebrate the joy of traditional Celtic ballads and also bring to brilliant life their own original songs, making them a worldwide sensation. Charting a new course for traditional ballad music, the High Kings are marking a new era of Irish Folk music.
Ten years ago, four Irish singers, all performers and songwriters, decided to go where no other Irish ballad group had gone before. The heyday of ballad groups such as The Clancy Brothers and The Dubliners was a distant memory for generations of music fans, and to have another bunch of Irish lads continuing the tradition was great news to thousands of fans worldwide.
Their self-titled debut album, released in 2008, reached an impressive number two on Billboard Magazine’s World Music chart. It was during The High Kings second tour of the US in 2011, as they promoted their follow-up album Memory Lane that they realized their fanbase was growing into something no one had predicted. Subsequently, the group’s tour of Ireland sold out within hours.
The High Kings received accolades from the likes of legends Christy Moore and Ronnie Drew. They achieved what many thought impossible: they were moving the Irish ballad tradition into the modern era, bringing with them the steadfast older fans while bringing it to a new audience.
The group’s third studio album, Friends For Life (2013) featured original songs among the traditional fare. The development of original songwriting from each member of The High Kings continues apace, but balance must be maintained. The group’s fourth studio album, Grace & Glory, brought them back to the essentials that kick-started their career – traditional ballad songs with new arrangements.
2017 marks the band’s tenth anniversary. It was celebrated with a special compilation featuring a decade of outstanding songs and performances. The release of Decade-The Best of The High Kings garnered rave reviews and record sales with the band again topping the Irish Album Charts and returning to the Billboard World Music Charts.