The High Kings: Celtic Spirit, TikTok Fame And An Australian Homecoming

One of Ireland’s most beloved folk bands, The High Kings, return with a powerful new track, blending traditional elements with a modern sheen courtesy of their new single The Rocky Road To Dublin – The Celtic Remix. A rousing take on the Irish classic, the track builds on the band’s previous version featured on the #1 charting 2025 film Sinners. The Rocky Road To Dublin – The Celtic Remix also paves the way for the upcoming Australian tour this September.

The Step It Out World Tour has hit Brisbane and then heading to Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and finishing in Fremantle on Saturday 20 September, with the Perth and Melbourne shows already completely sold out. Boasting everything from banjo, flute, accordion and mandolin through to whistles, bouzouki, bodhrán and beyond, each The High Kings performance sees the band’s four members switching between instruments and harmonies, showcasing their versatility and deep roots in Irish folk music. Darren, Brian and Finbarr talk to Hi Fi Way about the tour.

There’s a lot of love for The High Kings here in Australia. How much have you been looking forward to this tour?
Finbarr: Absolutely! We started on September 11 in Brisbane, and we honestly can’t wait. The last couple of years have been phenomenal for us. We’d been talking about coming to Australia for years, but it just never worked out until recently. When we finally made it down there, we were blown away. It felt like everyone had been waiting to see us for years, and the energy was incredible. It was completely worth the wait, we had an absolute ball and can’t wait to do it all again.

You must have some great memories from that last tour?
Brian: So many! One of the biggest surprises was how big the crowds were compared to our first visit. They were louder too, the atmosphere was electric. We could feel the buzz backstage before we even went on stage, and by the time we walked out, the place was already going crazy. Those two hours on stage felt like a rollercoaster ride, pure fun from start to finish.

It’s not just the Irish expats coming to the shows either, more Aussies seem to be catching on to The High Kings?
Finbarr: Exactly. That’s what really surprised us. The first time we toured Australia, it was mostly Irish people looking for a taste of home. The second time, we noticed more and more Australians coming out, singing along, and getting into the music. At every show we ask, “How many Irish are in the crowd tonight?” and last time there were very few. That was a real eye-opener for us and so exciting, because it means our music is connecting with a whole new fan base.

There’s been a kind of Celtic revival globally in recent years. Does that still amaze you, just how far Irish music reaches?
Darren: It really does. Ireland’s always had such a strong cultural identity, and music has been one of our greatest exports. There’s something special about these songs, they’re universal, they speak to people no matter where they are in the world. For us, it’s about giving people a chance to let their hair down, have a laugh, and forget about their worries for a while.

Speaking of connecting with a new audience — your remix of Rocky Road to Dublin has been massive online, especially on TikTok?
Darren: It’s been wild! We first recorded Rocky Road to Dublin back in 2008, but the version we did for the film Sinners just exploded. It started getting traction on TikTok and Instagram, suddenly we had a younger generation discovering us through their Facebook pages. Management kept saying, “You need to do TikToks! Get on TikTok!” and at first we were like, “Really? Us?!” But once we saw the response, we knew we had to release a fresh version. It’s brought us a whole new audience, even in places like the U.S. and Canada where some people had never heard of us before.

What was it like being part of a movie soundtrack?
Finbarr: Honestly, surreal. Ludwig Göransson, who’s an Oscar-winning composer, came to see our show at the Troubadour in LA, then invited us to his studio the next day. He played us some early clips from Sinners with Rocky Road to Dublin already temp-tracked, and it just worked. He asked us to record the song right there on the spot. One of those crazy, “only in LA” moments. And it’s paid off, that song has completely reinvigorated things for us this year.

Does that make you think about remixing more songs from your back catalogue?
Darren: We’ve definitely talked about it. Some songs lend themselves to a remix, especially if you’re trying to reach a younger, nightclub audience, but not all of them do. Some of the old folk songs are sacred and should stay as they are. That said, if a great idea comes along, we’d definitely give it a go. We’re not against a bit of experimentation.

You’re also working on a new album, what can fans expect?
Darren: We’re deep in that process right now, choosing songs, bouncing around arrangements, coming up with fresh ideas. We’re aiming to record in October and November with a view to releasing early next year. The Australian tour will be a nice break from writing, and when we get back we’ll take a short breather before heading into the studio.

With such a big catalogue, how do you decide what makes it onto the set list for a tour like this?Finbarr: That’s always tough! We’re spoiled for choice — there are so many songs we want to play, plus new material we want to introduce. Some nights we joke that we should spin a wheel on stage and let the audience pick what’s next. Actually, Midnight Oil used to do that, maybe we should steal their idea!

Do you have a favourite city you can’t wait to get back to?
Brian: It’s hard to pick just one. We love Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, every city has its own character, its own vibe. And the people are always incredible, so warm and welcoming. We’re especially glad to be playing Adelaide this time, since we know some tours skip it. We’re grateful for every crowd that comes out to see us.

And when the tour is over, how do you switch off?
Darren: Everyone’s different. Some of us go on holiday, some spend time with family, some just enjoy a bit of peace and quiet. After a summer full of festivals, touring Ireland, and now Australia, it’ll be nice to recharge, but not for too long. We’re already excited about what’s coming next.

Interview By Rob Lyon

Catch The High Kings on the following dates, tickets from Metropolis Touring…