Halflight: Live at the Mussel Inn

Rennie Pearson and Bob McNeill - Celtic power duo

Rennie Pearson and Bob McNeill are two of New Zealand's best known Celtic musicians.  Both virtuoso players, they have won numerous awards and fans all over the country for their powerful, hypnotic style and tight, intricate playing.

They tour the South Island in March with their exciting live show featuring dance tunes, songs and stories from Ireland, Scotland and the Canadian maritimes, showcasing Pearson's extraordinary artistry on the wooden flute and whistles, and McNeill's unmatched guitar accompaniment.

One of the best-sounding duos you'll hear, they'll have you dancing in the aisles and longing for more.

Rennie Pearson

Rennie is one of the best flute and whistle players around today.  With a youthful, exuberant style that stays true to tradition he has made a name for himself at festivals all over New Zealand and Australia.  He toured with Irish Dance troupes Celtica and Celtic Illusion in NZ and Australia in 2022 as their flute and bodhran player, performing in large theaters such as the Melbourne Arts Center, the Wellington Opera House, the Christchurch Isaac Theatre and the Bruce Mason Center in Auckland.  A multi-instrumentalist, Rennie also sings and plays fiddle and guitar.  He is based in Golden Bay.

Bob McNeill

Bob is an icon of New Zealand folk music, with a unique guitar style and sound that has been hugely influential.  He has released several albums of Celtic dance music as well as solo and group albums of songs.  He has won three Tui awards for Best Folk Album.  Americana UK called him "one of New Zealand's most prominent and gifted songwriters."  Based in Wellington, he also plays with the groups Triske, Crossroads and Even the Lost.