Dave Lofts to Back Irish Folk Group The High Kings on 13-Date Australian Tour in October 2026
From the rugged streets of Dublin to the sun‑baked stages of Sydney, Irish singer‑songwriter Dave Lofts will become the national support act for The High Kings on their 13‑date Australian tour in October 2026. The run starts in Melbourne on 9 October and ends in Wyong on 25 October, covering venues across Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.
Lofts, who has carved a reputation in Ireland as a live performer and songwriter, will join the band for every show. His debut EP Holy topped the Irish Independent Albums chart, and his full‑length album has also reached number one on that chart. A former member of the Irish Defence Forces, Lofts brings a disciplined edge to his songwriting, often channeling his service experience into themes of resilience and homecoming. In addition to the Australian tour, he has received public endorsement from actor Russell Crowe on Instagram and X, and the British band Wolf Alice selected him to open their Irish tour.
The High Kings, formed in Dublin in 2008, have built an international touring career around traditional Irish music, folk and Celtic repertoire. The current lineup consists of Finbarr Clancy, Brian Dunphy, Darren Holden and Paul O’Brien. Their catalogue blends traditional Irish songs with original material and arrangements from outside the folk tradition. Their first three studio albums reached number three or higher on the Billboard World Music chart, and the first two achieved platinum status in Ireland.
The 2026 Australian tour follows a period of heightened global exposure for the group. In 2024, the High Kings logged more than five million weekly streams during their activity and completed a sold‑out world tour. Their 2025 schedule included sold‑out performances in the United States, culminating in a headline show at Los Angeles’ Troubadour. Two tracks, “The Rocky Road To Dublin” and “Go Lassie Go”, were selected for the soundtrack of the 2025 film Sinners.
The itinerary is as follows: - Melbourne, Hamer Hall – 9 October - Geelong, Costa Hall – 10 October - Ballarat, Civic Hall – 11 October - Frankston, Frankston Arts Centre – 12 October - Brisbane, Princess Theatre – 14 October - Tweed Heads, Twin Towns – 15 October - Adelaide, The Gov – 16 October - Perth, PCEC Riverside Theatre – 17 October - Wollongong, Anita’s Theatre – 21 October - Canberra, Canberra Theatre – 22 October - Sydney, Enmore Theatre – 23 October - Newcastle, City Hall – 24 October - Wyong, The Art House – 25 October
Tickets are available through David Roy Williams and will go on sale on 2 April at 11 a.m. local time.
Adding Lofts to the lineup gives the High Kings a second Irish voice on the Australian circuit and offers the emerging artist a substantial platform to reach audiences across the country. For the High Kings, the tour continues their strategy of promoting Irish folk music internationally while maintaining a strong connection to traditional repertoire. For Lofts, the run represents one of his most significant Australian touring opportunities to date.
As of now, the tour schedule is confirmed, tickets are on sale, and Lofts is set to perform at every venue. Fans and industry observers can expect the Australian leg to run from 9 to 25 October, with the artist’s presence adding a contemporary Irish perspective to the High Kings’ established folk program.
