The High Kings in Chicago

About The High Kings

The High Kings are an Irish folk supergroup formed in 2008, bringing together four accomplished musicians who've spent decades in the traditional music scene. They've built a reputation for taking classic Irish songs and giving them contemporary arrangements that somehow feel both fresh and respectful to the source material. Their strength lies in tight harmonies and genuine musicianship rather than gimmickry. They've toured extensively across Europe, North America, and Australia, maintaining a steady presence on the folk circuit. The group appeals to both purists who appreciate their technical skill and casual listeners drawn to the accessibility of their sound. They've released multiple albums and continue to be fixtures at folk festivals and theaters worldwide.

Their shows have the feel of a really good pub session that got way bigger. Crowds tend to be mixed generations, everyone pretty engaged. They're solid musicians who don't oversell things, and the room usually gets quiet when it matters.

Known for The Parting Glass, Rocky Road to Dublin, Whiskey in the Jar, Finnegan's Wake, The Foggy Dew

The High Kings + Chicago

The High Kings have developed a quiet reputation in Chicago as the kind of band that fills theaters with people who actually know the words to everything. Their July 2025 show at Des Plaines Theatre was no exception—twenty-two songs of Irish folk that moved from party-starter material like "Rocky Road to Dublin" and "Whiskey in the Jar" into deeper territory. "The Town I Loved So Well" and "1845" hit different when you're surrounded by people who grew up with these songs in their bones. They closed with "The Parting Glass" twice over, which feels right for a band that understands the difference between an ending and a goodbye.

The High Kings in Chicago News

• The High Kings bring Rocky Road Tour to Town Hall, NYC IrishCentral · Feb 26, 2026
• Irish Folk Icons The High Kings Announce Boulder Theater Show – March 25, 2026 Grateful Web · Sep 10, 2025
• Chicago Calling: Tom Herion Has His Plate Full And Then Some Irish Echo Newspaper · Jul 24, 2025
• Violent Femmes, Ben Platt, Fitz & the Trantrums and more this summer at Ravinia therecordnorthshore.org · Mar 14, 2024
• Ravinia Festival 2024 schedule: Full list of more than 100 concerts ABC7 Chicago · Mar 14, 2024

Live Music in Chicago

Chicago's Irish music scene exists in its own orbit—separate from but adjacent to the city's blues and rock institutions. There's a particular audience here, one that takes their traditional music seriously and knows the difference between novelty and authenticity. The High Kings fit that landscape perfectly. They're not reinventing folk for people who don't listen to folk; they're playing for the people who've been listening all along.

Chicago road trip to see The High Kings?

Stay in Lincoln Park or Wicker Park depending on your vibe—both neighborhoods have real character and plenty of late-night options. Book dinner at Alinea if you're feeling ambitious, or hit RPM Italian for something excellent and less impossible to get into. Spend an afternoon at the Art Institute, then walk along the Lakefront. The city's got enough to fill a weekend without feeling like you're checking boxes. Catch the show, eat well, and remember why you liked this band in the first place.