Darren Kiely Tickets

Gripping tightly onto the traditions that nurtured his musicianship, Darren Kiely’s heart-pounding, lung-busting brand of indie-folk is ushering rich Irish traditions into the present with a generous helping of emotion.

Music wasn’t just a hobby Darren Kiely took a fancy to at an early age: music runs through the bloodline of his entire family. Hailing from Millstreet in the north of County Cork in Ireland, as a child he picked up the tin whistle, and at the age of eight would learn the fiddle, but this was rite-of-passage for people in his family. “There was a big tradition of music in my family, music was something that was always being played whether we were in the car or at home,” said Darren recently. He and his sister Orla entered and frequently won local feis, fleadh cheoil and Scór competitions, with Kiely admitting it was his sister who was the burning talent – he was just following her lead.

Modest, but evidently a musical prodigy himself, Kiely began learning guitar, and not long after starting writing his own compositions rather than just reimagining his Irish history. In 2019 he picked up the guitar properly and started honing his style, but more importantly, he began to find his voice. Adoring the expansive indie-folk of The Lumineers and Mumford & Sons – the artists that had taken folk to a greater global audience – Kiely had similar ambitions, and incorporated his love of classic rock icons like Bruce Springsteen in his songwriting. 

A move to New York City was the catalyst for Kiely’s global breakthrough, with 2022 debut single ‘How Could You Love Me’ on Sony Music Entertainment showcasing the singer-songwriter’s heart-on-his-sleeve approach which made an immediate impression. Achieving top 50 hits on Ireland’s viral charts with each of his first three single releases, it was 2023’s ‘Time To Leave’ which summarises his familiar, homespun style. Kiely tells his life-story through song in real time – his own experiences are the greatest inspirations. It resonated, as the fast-rising Irish artist sold out headlining shows at Rockwood Music Hall and Mercury Lounge in New York.

Those moments and emotions came flooding out into Darren Kiely’s next release, ‘Mom & Dad’, the lead single from his 2023 EP, Lost, an ode to his beloved parents who have encouraged and supported him to chase his dreams. Inextricably attached to his life and home in Ireland, Kiely chose to relocate once more to Nashville, Tennessee to further his career. The singers’ gravelly, evocative voice has seen him establish a fanbase far from home with the help of social media and word of mouth.

2023 tour The Road Home sees Darren Kiely perform across the North East of the US in cities like Boston and his forever homestead of New York City, before returning to Ireland. Marking the release of Lost alongside his rousing single ‘Lost & Found’, Kiely will perform in Galway, Cork, Dublin, Limerick, and Belfast, whilst sandwiching in a date at London’s Sebright Arms to celebrate.