Darren Kiely

Darren Kiely, originally from County Cork, will perform at Les Étoiles in Paris on 16 October 2026. This Irish songwriter crafts a modern folk sound rooted in his country’s traditions and shaped by contemporary influences such as The Lumineers, Mumford & Sons and Noah Kahan. Trained early on the tin whistle and then the fiddle, and later becoming a self-taught guitarist, he writes songs with clear melodies and acoustic arrangements, carried by a direct voice and a sensitive delivery. Since 2019, he has been composing in a narrative-driven way, exploring doubts, family ties and the transition to adulthood.

After gaining recognition in traditional music, he settled between New York and Nashville to develop his project. Signed to Free Flight Records, he has released two complementary EPs. Lost explores the search for self and areas of uncertainty, with tracks such as “Mom & Dad” and “Sunrise.” From The Dark pushes the songwriting further by tackling the sometimes difficult realities of coming of age. On stage, Darren alternates between fiddle, guitar and vocals, allowing his songs to breathe in an intimate, organic format.