Irish singer-songwriter Dave Lofts will join The High Kings for their 13-date Australian tour in October.
by Paul Cashmere
Irish folk group The High Kings have announced singer-songwriter Dave Lofts as their national support act for their October 2026 Australian tour, with Lofts joining the band for all 13 dates from Melbourne on October 9 through Wyong on October 25.
The announcement adds an emerging Irish artist to a tour that will take The High Kings through Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. The run includes major performing arts venues and theatres in Melbourne, Geelong, Ballarat, Frankston, Brisbane, Tweed Heads, Adelaide, Perth, Wollongong, Canberra, Sydney, Newcastle and Wyong.
Lofts has built a profile in Ireland through his work as a singer-songwriter and live performer. His career has also been shaped by his previous service in the Irish Defence Forces, an experience that has informed the themes of his songwriting. His album reached number one on the Irish Independent Albums chart.
The appointment comes after a series of high-profile opportunities for Lofts. Russell Crowe has publicly endorsed his work, while British band Wolf Alice selected him to open their Irish tour. The Australian dates with The High Kings will give Lofts an extended opportunity to introduce his music to audiences across the country.
The High Kings were formed in Dublin in 2008 and have developed an international touring career around traditional Irish music, folk and Celtic repertoire. The current line-up comprises Finbarr Clancy, Brian Dunphy, Darren Holden and Paul O’Brien.
Their catalogue combines traditional Irish songs with original material and arrangements drawn from outside the folk tradition. The group’s first three studio albums reached number three or higher on the Billboard World Music chart, while their first two albums achieved platinum status in Ireland.
The band’s 2026 Australian tour follows a period of increased international exposure. According to the supplied tour information, The High Kings recorded more than five million weekly streams during their 2024 activity and completed a sold-out world tour that year. Their 2025 schedule included sold-out United States performances, culminating in a headline show at Los Angeles’ Troubadour.
Their recent screen exposure has also broadened their audience. Two High Kings recordings, “The Rocky Road To Dublin” and “Go Lassie Go”, were selected for the soundtrack and score of the 2025 film Sinners. The tracks were chosen by composer Ludwig Göransson following The High Kings’ Troubadour performance.
The High Kings emerged with a strong connection to Ireland’s established folk tradition. Finbarr Clancy had previously performed with The Clancy Brothers, continuing a family association with Irish folk music. Brian Dunphy’s background includes a two-year period with Riverdance: The Show and work with The Three Irish Tenors.
Darren Holden also has a substantial theatre background. He performed in Riverdance: The Show on Broadway before taking the role of Billy Joel in the Broadway production of Movin’ Out and subsequent tours.
Paul O’Brien joined The High Kings in 2019 following the departure of George Murphy. Earlier members included Martin Furey, who left the group in 2017.
The band’s recording history includes the 2008 debut The High Kings, Memory Lane in 2010, Friends For Life in 2013, Grace & Glory in 2016, Decade: The Best Of The High Kings in 2017 and the live album Home From Home in 2020. Their 2023 album The Road Not Taken was their first studio project made entirely from original material and reached number two on the Irish Albums chart.
The group has also performed at major events including Glastonbury Festival, the Isle of Wight Festival and St Patrick’s Day celebrations in London and New York. Their international television appearances have included Good Morning America, The View and The Today Show.
The addition of Dave Lofts gives The High Kings’ Australian concerts a second Irish voice and provides an established touring platform for an artist still building his international audience.
For The High Kings, the tour continues a long-standing strategy of taking Irish folk music beyond Ireland while maintaining a connection to its traditional repertoire. For Lofts, the 13-date run represents one of his most substantial Australian touring opportunities to date.
Tour Dates
Friday October 9, Melbourne, Hamer Hall
Saturday October 10, Geelong, Costa Hall
Sunday October 11, Ballarat, Civic Hall
Monday October 12, Frankston, Frankston Arts Centre
Wednesday October 14, Brisbane, Princess Theatre
Thursday October 15, Tweed Heads, Twin Towns
Friday October 16, Adelaide, The Gov
Saturday October 17, Perth, PCEC Riverside Theatre
Wednesday October 21, Wollongong, Anita’s Theatre
Thursday October 22, Canberra, Canberra Theatre
Friday October 23, Sydney, Enmore Theatre
Saturday October 24, Newcastle, City Hall
Sunday October 25, Wyong, The Art House
Ticket Details
Tickets for The High Kings Tour 2026 are available through David Roy Williams.
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