The High Kings in Los Angeles

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 + Los Angeles

The High Kings have maintained a steady presence in Los Angeles, with their March 2025 performance at the Troubadour marking another stop on their ongoing tour through Southern California. The Irish group delivered a setlist that balanced their folk standards with deeper cuts—opening with the propulsive energy of "Step It Out Mary" before moving through expected crowd-pleasers like "Galway Girl" and "The Fields of Athenry." What stood out was their willingness to dig into less obvious material: "Men of Aran" and "Connemara Bay" gave the show texture beyond the usual pub-song rotation. They closed with "The Parting Glass," the traditional Irish farewell that's become their signature final statement. It's the kind of setlist that works for both casual listeners and people who know this music inside and out.

The High Kings in Los Angeles News

• The High Kings bring Rocky Road Tour to Town Hall, NYC IrishCentral · Feb 26, 2026
• The High Kings unveil new single ‘Goodbye Venice’ as global profile continues to rise Pure M Magazine · Dec 29, 2025
• Irish Folk Icons The High Kings Announce Boulder Theater Show – March 25, 2026 Grateful Web · Sep 10, 2025
• The High Kings featured in soundtrack for current #1 movie worldwide, Sinners Hotpress · Apr 23, 2025
• Ireland's “The High Kings” bring Irish beats to the world! NBC Los Angeles · Apr 16, 2025

Live Music in Los Angeles

Los Angeles has a complicated relationship with folk and Celtic music. It's not Nashville or Boston, where this stuff lives in the cultural bloodstream. But the city's Irish community and the broader appetite for live music in smaller venues like the Troubadour mean there's always an audience for touring acts who bring authentic instrumentation and real songwriting. The High Kings fit into that niche—they're not trying to modernize or Americanize their sound, which actually works in their favor with LA crowds looking for something genuine.

Los Angeles road trip to see The High Kings?

Stay in Los Feliz, where you can walk tree-lined streets and catch views from Griffith Observatory. Dinner at Republique in the Arts District—refined French-inspired food in a restored factory space that feels more Paris than LA. Spend an afternoon at the Huntington Library in San Marino, a world-class art collection that justifies the drive. The city's recording studio history is everywhere; walk through Hollywood and you're literally surrounded by the spaces where hits were made. End the night at a jazz bar like The Fonda Theatre or catch live music on Sunset Boulevard.