Criú
Formed in 2018 by Rennie Pearson, Bob McNeil, James MacNamara and Duncan Davidson, Criú started out with the purpose of bringing all the Craic, drive and groove of traditional Irish session playing to the stage in a way that was exiting and engaging to listen to.
Combining the sounds of the wooden flute, fiddle, guitar, accordion, tin whistles and uilleann pipes (the irish pipes), these musicians weave together melodies that have survived in the irish music tradition, sometimes for hundreds of years. The music is full of life, mystery, playfulness and sometimes sorrow.
It will have your toes tapping or your feet stamping at one moment, then the next transport you to some faraway place of deep joy or sadness.
The band Criu is made up of some of Wellington's very best traditional musicians. Formed with the purpose of bringing the music of Ireland onto the stage, with tight arrangements, interesting sounds, driving rhythms and stories and history behind the tunes.
Ren and Rob
Rennie and Robert Zielinski began making music while locked down in Golden Bay.
With Rob on the fiddle and Rennie on the wooden flute and guitar, they weave their way around foot-stomping Irish melodies.
Ren and Rob play old and original tunes in a traditional Manner.
Robs Donegal influenced fiddle playing which carries the weight of years spent in Ireland learning from the old masters, is paired with Rennie's versatile guitar playing, full of drive and shifting counter melody's, or the wooden flute, Rennie's first instrument, to create the classic flute and fiddle sound that is so deeply ingrained in Irish traditional music
Forgotten
Atlas
Rennie Pearson and Colm MacEnaney form Forgotten Atlas.
A live music duo fusing a mixture of traditional and original music from around the world to create an intimate and engaging atmosphere for listeners to sit back and enjoy the ride, or dance to their hearts content!
They play a combination of flutes, whistles, guitars, vocals, hang and percussion using a kick drum to tie down the beat and get you on your feet!
Polytropos
Rennie and Oscar West formed Polytropos in 2011, making it Rennie's longest-standing duo.
Polytropos is a force of wildly imaginative Celtic music, the translation being of many twists and turns.
They have toured New Zealand many times, playing at various venues from small-town halls to big theatres. Their humour and knowledge of the traditions which they draw from forms a large part of the show. They have just released their debut album, which is available on Bandcamp
Also check out the Facebook Page
Alice & Renie
Alice Williams and Rennie have been playing together since 2015.
Their set is a mix of originals, Gypsy flavored tunes and old Americana songs
which is both intimate and heart-wrenching.
They've played at house concerts and have been requested to play at birthday parties.
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