ArtistDirect News
Dave Lofts to Support The High Kings on 13-Date Australian Tour in October 2026
When the sun sets over Melbourne on October 9, Irish singer‑songwriter Dave Lofts will take the stage as the national support act for The High Kings. Over the next two weeks, the duo will traverse Australia’s major cities, from Victoria to the Australian Capital Territory, delivering a blend of traditional folk and contemporary songwriting that promises to captivate audiences.
Lofts, known in Ireland for his energetic live performances and sharp songwriting, will back the High Kings at every stop. His debut album Holy topped the Irish Independent Albums chart in 2026, and his work has attracted high‑profile endorsements—including a public nod from actor Russell Crowe and an opening slot for British band Wolf Alice on their Irish tour.
The High Kings, formed in Dublin in 2008, have become ambassadors for Irish folk music worldwide. The current lineup—Finbarr Clancy, Brian Dunphy, Darren Holden and Paul O’Brien—has released several studio and live albums. Their first three studio releases cracked the top three on the Billboard World Music chart, while the first two earned platinum status in Ireland. The 2023 album The Road Not Taken marked the band’s first entirely original studio project, reaching number two on the Irish Albums chart.
The 2026 Australian tour follows a period of heightened international exposure. In 2024 the band logged over five million weekly streams and completed a sold‑out world tour. Their 2025 schedule included sold‑out shows in the United States, culminating in a headline performance at Los Angeles’ Troubadour. Two High Kings recordings—"The Rocky Road To Dublin" and "Go Lassie Go"—were selected for the soundtrack of the 2025 film Sinners, chosen by composer Ludwig Göransson after the Troubadour show.
The tour itinerary includes: - Melbourne, Hamer Hall – Oct 9 - Geelong, Costa Hall – Oct 10 - Ballarat, Civic Hall – Oct 11 - Frankston, Frankston Arts Centre – Oct 12 - Brisbane, Princess Theatre – Oct 14 - Tweed Heads, Twin Towns – Oct 15 - Adelaide, The Gov – Oct 16 - Perth, PCEC Riverside Theatre – Oct 17 - Wollongong, Anita’s Theatre – Oct 21 - Canberra, Canberra Theatre – Oct 22 - Sydney, Enmore Theatre – Oct 23 - Newcastle, City Hall – Oct 24 - Wyong, The Art House – Oct 25
Tickets for the tour are available through David Roy Williams.
For Lofts, this run represents one of his most substantial Australian touring opportunities to date. The High Kings’ strategy of pairing traditional Irish repertoire with contemporary arrangements provides an established platform for an emerging Irish voice. The collaboration underscores the group’s commitment to expanding Irish folk music beyond its homeland while maintaining a strong connection to its roots.
The tour’s schedule, venues and dates have been confirmed by the band’s management, and no changes have been announced as of the latest update.
The partnership between Dave Lofts and The High Kings exemplifies a growing trend of cross‑generational collaboration within the Irish music scene, offering audiences in Australia a blend of classic folk traditions and fresh songwriting.
The Australian leg of the tour will conclude on October 25 in Wyong, after which the band will return to the United Kingdom for a series of performances in November. Lofts will resume his own touring schedule in Ireland and the United Kingdom following the Australian dates.
The tour is expected to attract fans of both the established folk group and the rising singer‑songwriter, providing a diverse musical experience across Australia’s major cities.
Lofts, known in Ireland for his energetic live performances and sharp songwriting, will back the High Kings at every stop. His debut album Holy topped the Irish Independent Albums chart in 2026, and his work has attracted high‑profile endorsements—including a public nod from actor Russell Crowe and an opening slot for British band Wolf Alice on their Irish tour.
The High Kings, formed in Dublin in 2008, have become ambassadors for Irish folk music worldwide. The current lineup—Finbarr Clancy, Brian Dunphy, Darren Holden and Paul O’Brien—has released several studio and live albums. Their first three studio releases cracked the top three on the Billboard World Music chart, while the first two earned platinum status in Ireland. The 2023 album The Road Not Taken marked the band’s first entirely original studio project, reaching number two on the Irish Albums chart.
The 2026 Australian tour follows a period of heightened international exposure. In 2024 the band logged over five million weekly streams and completed a sold‑out world tour. Their 2025 schedule included sold‑out shows in the United States, culminating in a headline performance at Los Angeles’ Troubadour. Two High Kings recordings—"The Rocky Road To Dublin" and "Go Lassie Go"—were selected for the soundtrack of the 2025 film Sinners, chosen by composer Ludwig Göransson after the Troubadour show.
The tour itinerary includes: - Melbourne, Hamer Hall – Oct 9 - Geelong, Costa Hall – Oct 10 - Ballarat, Civic Hall – Oct 11 - Frankston, Frankston Arts Centre – Oct 12 - Brisbane, Princess Theatre – Oct 14 - Tweed Heads, Twin Towns – Oct 15 - Adelaide, The Gov – Oct 16 - Perth, PCEC Riverside Theatre – Oct 17 - Wollongong, Anita’s Theatre – Oct 21 - Canberra, Canberra Theatre – Oct 22 - Sydney, Enmore Theatre – Oct 23 - Newcastle, City Hall – Oct 24 - Wyong, The Art House – Oct 25
Tickets for the tour are available through David Roy Williams.
For Lofts, this run represents one of his most substantial Australian touring opportunities to date. The High Kings’ strategy of pairing traditional Irish repertoire with contemporary arrangements provides an established platform for an emerging Irish voice. The collaboration underscores the group’s commitment to expanding Irish folk music beyond its homeland while maintaining a strong connection to its roots.
The tour’s schedule, venues and dates have been confirmed by the band’s management, and no changes have been announced as of the latest update.
The partnership between Dave Lofts and The High Kings exemplifies a growing trend of cross‑generational collaboration within the Irish music scene, offering audiences in Australia a blend of classic folk traditions and fresh songwriting.
The Australian leg of the tour will conclude on October 25 in Wyong, after which the band will return to the United Kingdom for a series of performances in November. Lofts will resume his own touring schedule in Ireland and the United Kingdom following the Australian dates.
The tour is expected to attract fans of both the established folk group and the rising singer‑songwriter, providing a diverse musical experience across Australia’s major cities.