IRELAND’S "THE HIGH KINGS" TO STOP IN CLAYTON ON NEW TOUR

The High Kings – four handsome young Irishmen whose vibrant take on rock and folk drew attention to their self-titled 2008 debut – will stop in Clayton, Sunday, March 27, during their new U.S. tour.

In addition to the tour, The High Kings also celebrate a new album – Memory Lane, which goes on sale on March 8 (Ard Ri Entertainment/EMI Music), just in time for St. Patrick’s Day.

The High Kings count Billy Joel and Steve Martin as fans, as well as the million plus viewers who have watched their Rocky Road To Dublin on YouTube. Not surprising, given the group’s phenomenal live performances where band members play upwards of 13 instruments amidst rousing – and at times heartrending – harmonies.

When Memory Lane was released in Ireland last year, it bowed at No. 5 on the Irish Music chart and quickly reached double platinum sales amidst four sell-out Irish tours. The group headlined the Oxegen Festival, performed at Arthur Guinness Day and, with an impact comparable to a Super Bowl halftime show, bowled over a crowd of 80,000 at the All Ireland Hurling Final at Croke Park Stadium. They’ve also been named “Best Folk Group” for three years running by the Irish Music Awards.

Much like their music, the members of The High Kings are made up of equal parts pop and traditional backgrounds. Darren Holden starred in more than 1,000 performances of Billy Joel’s production, Movin' Out, and toured as part of Joel’s own band; Finbarr Clancy is a scion of Irish music’s legendary Clancy family; Martin Furey is the son of the 'prince of pipers' Finbar Furey; and Brian Dunphy is the son of show band legend Sean Dunphy.

The High Kings’ self-titled debut was released in the U.S. in 2008. Bolstered by appearances on NPR’s Weekend Edition, The View, Weekend Today and prestigious NYC radio station WFUV, the album landed in the Billboard Top 200 chart, ranked No. 13 on the Top Internet Album chart and climbed to No. 2 on Billboard’s world music chart.

Tickets for the 7 p.m. show are $30 and can be purchased online at http://www.theclaytoncenter.com/,
by phone at 919-553-1737, or at The Clayton Center Box Office, located at 111 E. Second St. in historic downtown Clayton, from 10 a.m. until noon and from 1 until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.