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The High Kings in Milwaukee

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The High Kings
Pabst Theater — Milwaukee, WI
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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 + Milwaukee

The High Kings have made Milwaukee a regular stop on their North American rounds, and for good reason. The Irish folk group knows how to work a room like the Pabst Theater, filling it with the kind of songs that hit different live. Their February 2025 show was a masterclass in setlist curation—they opened with the propulsive energy of "Step It Out Mary" and "Rocky Road to Dublin," then pivoted to deeper material like "The Lonesome Boatman" and "Men of Aran" that let the room settle into something more reflective. The real backbone of the night was their handling of Irish history and heartbreak: "The Town I Loved So Well," "1845," and "The Rising of the Moon" all landed hard, turning the concert into something closer to a conversation about what these songs actually mean. They closed out the night with "The Parting Glass" twice over—once wasn't enough—which feels right for a band this committed to the emotional weight of their material.

The High Kings in Milwaukee News

Live Music in Milwaukee

Milwaukee has always been a city that respects musicians who care about their craft, and the folk and traditional music community here runs surprisingly deep. The city's working-class roots and brewing heritage create natural overlap with the storytelling tradition at the heart of Irish folk—these are songs about labor, loss, and community, themes that resonate in a town like this. Venues like the Pabst have hosted everything from polka to punk, but there's a particular warmth reserved for acts who traffic in honest, unvarnished tradition.

Milwaukee road trip to see The High Kings?

Stay in Whitefish Bay or the East Side — quieter, tree-lined neighborhoods with actual character. Dinner at Colectivo's sister restaurant Odd Duck for inventive local cooking, or hit up Uchi if you want something more refined. Spend your day at the Harley-Davidson Museum if you're into American icons, or walk through the Milwaukee Public Market for the best cross-section of local food producers. The lakefront is worth an afternoon, and if blues is the point of the trip, catch a set at Colectivo or one of the Walnut Street venues while you're in town.

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