Half Light are a duo who play innovative, original Celtic music. An international concert act, they are festival favourites in NZ and Australia and regularly tour in both countries. Their music combines the virtuoso flute and whistle playing of Melbourne-based Rennie Pearson with Wellington guitarist Bob McNeill's dynamic and intricate fingerstyle. They add McNeill's multi award-winning songs to their live show of original music, peppered with a select few classic tunes from the archives of Irish trad. They released their debut EP Air in May 2023.
Soaring flute and whistles, sonorous guitars, great songs and thumping rhythms take the music to unusual places. Two virtuoso players with a new slant on live folk music, full of dark energy; Celtic music at full tilt. These two are among the best there are and they create an intricately crafted and varied evening of music that is sure to bring the celtic blood deep within your veins to the boil.
Both Rennie and Bob are heavily involved in the folk music scene in New Zealand and Australia, both having extensive experience touring as solo acts and as part of various groups. They are both leading experts on their respective instruments and have taught and performed together various times at NZ’s Irish music school ‘Ceol Aneas’ as well as other festivals and workshops. The music they play delves deep into their musical creativity, with Bob’s intricate and evocative song writing and Rennie’s wide array of sounds and styles on the wooden flute and other instruments. Their show features wooden flute, Irish tin whistles, various guitars and some unfamiliar sounds for a Celtic act. Theirs is a fascinating and fresh approach to traditional folk music that is sure to delight the ears of listeners of all ages.
Rennie Pearson grew up in Wellington with Celtic music in his blood. Having heard the traditional music of Ireland and Scotland on his parents CDs as a baby, he grew up knowing he just had to learn to play like this. He picked up the flute at age 8, learning by ear in Irish sessions under the guidance of Galway born flute player Pat Higgins. With Irish music as the cornerstone of his knowledge, he then went on to delve deep into the traditional music of Scotland and maritime Canada, gaining proficiency in a wide range of different instruments along the way.
Rennie has made a name for himself in the traditional music scene of Australia and New Zealand as a stand-out solo performer, as well as touring his own duos, bands, and performing with large international stage productions. He has played and taught all over New Zealand, in Australia and in Canada, including music schools such as Ceol Aneas, ScotsStrings, CelticANZ, Gaeltached, Boxwood and folk festivals in Auckland, Wellington, Dunedin, Christchurch and Port Fairy.
Bob McNeill moved to New Zealand in 1998 and quickly became one of its best known Folk artists for his solo work and with Celtic duo Ben the Hoose. He has won three New Zealand Music Awards, all for Best Folk Album. His songs have been covered by artists in New Zealand, Scotland, Australia and the USA. The Dominion Post compared him to Jackson Brown, James Taylor, Luka Bloom and Dougie MacLean; New Zealand Musician compared his songwriting to Bruce Springsteen and Mark Knopfler.
A guitar player, he is known for his sensitive playing, driving rhythms and unique on-stage sound. He has toured extensively in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the USA, Ireland and UK.