The High Kings Share New Single Ahead of Australian Tour
‘The Rocky Road To Dublin – The Celtic Remix’ is a new take on The High King’s original that appeared in the movie Sinners.
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Irish folk group The High Kings have shared new single, ‘The Rocky Road To Dublin – The Celtic Remix’, ahead of their upcoming Australian tour.
The original version of the track was first released in 2010 and gained notoriety this year when it featured in the horror hit Sinners. A “classic song that every Irish person knows,” as The High Kings’ vocalist and instrumentalist Brian Dunphy explains, the group were inspired by both Ludwig Göransson, the composer for Sinners, and fellow countrymen The Pogues, to create a new version of the song alongside arranger and producer Billy Farrell.
“This song has been a staple of our live show since we started and we are known for our signature version throughout the world,” explains The High Kings’ fellow vocalist and instrumentalist Darren Holden. “Since we’ve blown up this year through our connection to the Sinners movie, a whole brand new generation of HK fans have demanded more from us and this is sort of a welcome gift to the them. This has been a total rebirth and resurgence for the band on a global scale.”
‘The Rocky Road To Dublin – The Celtic Remix’ arrives as The High Kings prepare to return to Australia as part of their massive Step It Out World Tour. Commencing at Brisbane’s Princess Theatre on Thursday 11 September, the tour then takes in Sydney’s Enmore Theatre on Friday 12 September, Melbourne’s Northcote Theatre on Saturday 13 September (sold out), Adelaide’s The Gov on Thursday 18 September and Perth’s Rosemount Hotel on Friday 19 September (sold out), finishing up with a final concert at Fremantle’s Freo.Social on Saturday 20 September.
“I spent a few months in Australia with Riverdance in 2003 and I toured all the East Coast and even had my second Honeymoon in Port Douglas and remember how beautiful and real the Australians are,” shares Brian. “The band wanted to play there for so long, and now on our return, it’s gonna be huge.”
“This tour is a massive celebration of our entire catalogue with a focus on the hits and some of the more recent big songs from The Road Not Taken album, which reached Top 10 in more than 12 countries,” adds Darren. “Last time we played Australia we were astounded at the size of the audiences that came out to see us and this year is promising to be even bigger. It’s the loudest crowds we play to!”
Tickets for the remaining shows are on sale now via the Metropolis Touring website.
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Forming in Dublin in 2008, The High Kings have released five studio albums, three live albums, and a compilation album, achieving considerable success worldwide and building a solid fan base, particularly in Australia.
Having shattered streaming records in 2023 with their reimagined version of the Irish folk ode ‘Step It Out Mary’, The High Kings followed with the release of their hugely successful studio album, The Road Not Taken, which peaked at #2 on the Irish Album Chart.
Touring the album throughout 2023, The High Kings have also spent much of 2024 on the road, teaming up with Gaelic Storm for the co-headlining Mighty Tour II.
The current lineup of Finbarr Clancy, Brian Dunphy, Darren Holden and Paul O'Brien are excited to return to Australia, revealing in a statement: “Our Step It Out World Tour blends beloved traditional Irish folk songs with our latest hits that are redefining the genre worldwide. Get ready for a two-hour rollercoaster of emotions that only folk music can deliver!”
Catch The High Kings at The Gov on Thursday, September 18. For full ticketing details visit the Metropolis Touring website.
THE HIGH KINGS Step It Out World Tour 2025 Dates
Thursday, September 11 – Princess Theatre, Brisbane
Friday, September 12 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
Saturday, September 13 – Northcote Theatre, Melbourne SOLD OUT
Thursday, September 18 – The Gov, Adelaide
Friday, September 19 – Rosemount Hotel, Perth SOLD OUT
Saturday, September 20 – Freo.Social, Fremantle
