Irish music has always travelled well, but right now it feels like Irish culture is having a moment around the world.
From a new generation discovering traditional music to packed Irish shows thousands of kilometres from home, that connection is particularly strong in Australia.
Few bands have witnessed it as closely as The High Kings.
Ahead of their return to Australia, Irish Around Oz caught up with Paul O’Brien, Brian Dunphy, Darren Holden and Finbarr Clancy to talk about the resurgence of Irish music, what it means to play for Irish communities abroad, why Australian audiences stand out and the songs that hit differently when you’re far from home.
🎶 The High Kings, The Rocky Road Tour: 14 shows across Australia from Friday 9 October to Sunday 25 October, including Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra and Sydney’s Enmore Theatre.
A quick hello from the lads
Irish music has always travelled well, but it feels like there’s a real new wave of Irish culture taking off internationally at the moment. Do you feel that yourselves when touring abroad?
Paul: Yes, it is very obvious at the moment. Irish music has always been very popular around the world, and every city and town we travel to has a great interest in Irish music and bands. People love the shows, and nearly all of them have been brought up with Irish music in their homes. It makes me really proud to be Irish when I see how popular our country is around the world.
Brian: We have seen a massive shift in not only the Irish music folk scene, but in our sports athletes too. We are very proud of our culture, our heritage and history. We’re proud to tell the stories and sing the songs, and the younger generation is feeling that sense of pride as well and carrying it with them to all parts of the world.
Darren: Absolutely, we feel it all. Wherever we play around the world, it’s literally like Irish music has suddenly become the coolest genre to be a part of. There’s something in the music that travels far and wide and seeps into the hearts and minds of people. Irish and otherwise.
Finbarr: Irish music has always had a strong international following, but it seems to be stronger than ever, judging by the enthusiasm from the people at our concerts today.
What is it about playing for Irish communities overseas that feels different to playing at home?
Paul: The people overseas love Irish music, and us playing abroad gives them a bit of Irish culture. Some people overseas were born in Ireland, whilst others are from an Irish background, with their parents or grandparents being from Ireland. They just want that Irish connection, and that’s what we try to create.
Brian: You feel like you’re part of their community but bringing a piece of home to them.
Darren: It’s a constant reminder of what Ireland and Irish folk music means to the diaspora when we play overseas. Not that we’d ever take it for granted, but it’s a powerful jolt to the band when we witness crowds singing our songs back to us.
Finbarr: People in Ireland love the songs, but there seems to be an added dimension when we tour outside of Ireland. I think it’s because the songs bring people back to memories of home, and that becomes a very strong emotional connection.
Australia has such a huge Irish diaspora. Is there anything about the crowds here that stands out to you?
Paul: The crowds in Australia are very passionate and really enjoy their nights out. They get involved in every song, and they love to sing along. We always see tricolour flags at our shows as well as Irish jerseys.
Brian: It’s all about togetherness, being a part of something special for a couple of hours, so that we can forget the noise that can fill our heads every day. We heard that our songs have meant something very special to the Irish in Oz. There seems to also be a trend of the fans FaceTiming their family at home in Ireland during our gigs. That’s pretty special.
Darren: Well, for one, it always blows my mind to witness the volume and passion of our crowds in Australia. It’s on a whole other level. It means more to them, and it runs deeper and stronger.
Finbarr: The first thing we noticed about the Irish diaspora in Australia is that they know how to enjoy themselves. If anything, the distance from home has added to the emotional connection to the songs.
Are there certain songs that seem to hit differently with Irish people living abroad?
Paul: Absolutely. ‘The Parting Glass’, for example, usually connects with a lot of people, both in Ireland and abroad, because it’s often played at funerals, and brings memories of loved ones who have passed on. With more upbeat songs, people abroad seem to connect by getting caught up in the moment of pure Irish enjoyment.
Brian: For me, the song ‘Grace’ seems to be an anthem of the younger fans as they just seem to roar the words back at ye and throw their arms around each other. It’s a special few minutes watching it from the stage.
Darren: ‘The Town I Loved So Well’ is a classic song that we just released as a single. We’ve performed it for several years, but you can see in the audience that it’s really connecting with them on a deeply emotional level and pulling at the heartstrings. Again, it’s that passion that only Irish folk music can deliver.
Finbarr: I don’t know if it’s different abroad or if it’s just an overall stronger need for a sense of connection because Irish people abroad are seeking that connection to Ireland and Irish people.
Do you think traditional Irish music is finding a younger audience again, particularly through social media and live shows?
Paul: Yes, that is definitely the case now. A lot of younger people are coming to our shows, and it is great to see. They even know the words to the songs and are wearing The High Kings T-shirts. We have seen a huge rise in younger people and small kids in our audience, and long may it continue.
Brian: It’s cool to be Irish and even cooler to be an Irish person in Australia, and the link through social media now has made it accessible to hear any artist within a few seconds and feel part of their world through the screen.
Darren: 100%. It’s been like a whirlwind the last few years. Lots of new young bands coming through who graciously reference us and mention the influence. We love so much of what’s happening with Amble, Kingfishr, etc., and long may that continue. Social media plays a huge part in all of that music reaching so far around the globe.
Finbarr: Absolutely. I think social media has revolutionised how music is viewed and shared, making it easier than ever for young people to access Irish music.
You’ve toured all over the world. Has being on the road changed the way you think about Irish identity or what it means to represent Ireland abroad?
Paul: Touring all over the world and meeting different people and audiences has been a blessing. Coming from a small country like Ireland and representing it around the world is an honour and always will be. We are an Irish band representing our country and the Irish people on every stage we play on across the world, and will always be proud of that achievement.
Brian: The more stories and messages we hear from fans, the more Irish we become, if that’s even possible. Stories of emigration, hardship and heritage, and why they listen to our songs or even have chosen The High Kings as their go-to fix for some Irish music. We are just four Irish lads from different parts of Ireland, and together we fly the flag for the country we’re so proud to call home.
Darren: Most definitely. You feel it in how people of all cultures react to you when they realise you’re Irish. It’s almost like a golden ticket. It’s the cool nationality at the minute, and we love that warmth that’s mirrored back to us. Our songs, stories and the music have connected with multiple cultures.
Finbarr: It’s made us realise the power of music and songs uniting people in every corner of the world. Ireland certainly does punch well above its weight when it comes to appreciation of our culture.
For someone coming to see The High Kings for the first time in Australia, what should they expect from the show?
Paul: Anyone coming to our shows for the first time should expect a night of fun, enjoyment and a great atmosphere where everybody gets involved. It really makes our job easier because we feed off the electric energy the crowds give us. A night to remember for sure.
Brian: A singalong, rowdy, emotional rollercoaster you won’t want to get off, but when you have to, you will want to get back on and do it all over again.
Darren: Two hours of fun, craic, folk music, stories, laughs, tears and unforgettable memories. An emotional rollercoaster.
Finbarr: Expect to be highly entertained. The best compliment we get is from people who are not specifically into the music or culture but were dragged there by a friend who’s a fan. They’ll tell us they knew nothing about us but were blown away by the experience and that they’ll be coming to see us the next time we’re around.
And finally, what would you say to the Irish in Perth and Melbourne who are still on the fence about coming along?
Paul: Get your tickets and come along. You won’t regret it one bit, and you’ll want to keep coming to the shows in the future. Come along and be part of a special night.
Brian: I will listen to all kinds of music and go to gigs as much as I can, even if I don’t know the artist. Experience their art live for yourselves, where the real magic happens and not on a screen. That’s the heart of what we do as an artist with an audience. Every beat, every note, every clap. You become the 5th High King, and together we make memories.
Darren: Get off the fence. Give in. You know you want to!
Finbarr: Come along, you’ve nothing to lose. Coming to a High Kings concert is a low-risk exercise, and I guarantee you’ll have fun.
The High Kings return to Australia: tour dates
The Rocky Road Tour kicks off at Hamer Hall in Melbourne on Friday 9 October and wraps up in Wyong on Sunday 25 October.
| Date | City | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Fri 9 Oct | Melbourne | Hamer Hall |
| Sat 10 Oct | Geelong | Costa Hall |
| Sun 11 Oct | Ballarat | Civic Hall |
| Mon 12 Oct | Frankston | Frankston Arts Centre |
| Wed 14 Oct | Brisbane | Princess Theatre |
| Thu 15 Oct | Tweed Heads | Twin Towns |
| Fri 16 Oct | Adelaide | The Gov |
| Sat 17 Oct | Perth | PCEC Riverside Theatre |
| Sun 18 Oct | Fremantle | Freo.Social |
| Wed 21 Oct | Wollongong | Anita’s Theatre |
| Thu 22 Oct | Canberra | Canberra Theatre |
| Fri 23 Oct | Sydney | Enmore Theatre |
| Sat 24 Oct | Newcastle | City Hall |
| Sun 25 Oct | Wyong | The Art House |
Get tickets to The High Kings Australian tour 🎟
Looking for more Irish nights out? See what’s on in Sydney on the Irish Around Sydney events calendar ☘️