Sean hails from ‘Lovely Derry on the banks of the Foyle’, but also has a very strong affiliation with Donegal, his spiritual home.

Sean’s interest in music started at a very young age listening to his mum’s record collection that featured Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and many of the Irish showband-style singers including Brian Coll, Big Tom, Joe Dolan and Roly Daniels.

Sean’s first band was a rock outfit called Partisan that he joined in 1986, where they enjoyed great live success playing at some of London’s best small music venues including The Mean Fiddler, Covent Garden’s Rock Garden and The Powerhouse.

When Sean came to New Zealand in 1990 he formed the Rat Race Choir, which also enjoyed great live success playing in some of Auckland’s best live music venues: The Gluepot, Java Jive and the PowerStation.

When Auckland’s first Irish Bar, Kitty O’Brien’s, opened in 1992, his fate was sealed. Sean found his groove in the music of Christy Moore and continues to this day in that genre.

Sean is first and foremost a singer but also plays bodhran, whistle and low whistle, and several years ago he finally took up the guitar to write his own material, and it’s since become his first musical love.

Sean became a full-time musician ten years ago to focus on his music and his shows combine original material with traditional and contemporary Irish and world music and songs.

Sean Kelly will be joined by the one and only Jono Lonie on fiddle, mandolin and – on a good day – uillean pipes… it’s sure to be a good night! 

Sean hails from ‘Lovely Derry on the banks of the Foyle’, but also has a very strong affiliation with Donegal, his spiritual home.

Sean’s interest in music started at a very young age listening to his mum’s record collection that featured Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and many of the Irish showband-style singers including Brian Coll, Big Tom, Joe Dolan and Roly Daniels.

Sean’s first band was a rock outfit called Partisan that he joined in 1986, where they enjoyed great live success playing at some of London’s best small music venues including The Mean Fiddler, Covent Garden’s Rock Garden and The Powerhouse.

When Sean came to New Zealand in 1990 he formed the Rat Race Choir, which also enjoyed great live success playing in some of Auckland’s best live music venues: The Gluepot, Java Jive and the PowerStation.

When Auckland’s first Irish Bar, Kitty O’Brien’s, opened in 1992, his fate was sealed. Sean found his groove in the music of Christy Moore and continues to this day in that genre.

Sean is first and foremost a singer but also plays bodhran, whistle and low whistle, and several years ago he finally took up the guitar to write his own material, and it’s since become his first musical love.

Sean became a full-time musician ten years ago to focus on his music and his shows combine original material with traditional and contemporary Irish and world music and songs.

Sean Kelly will be joined by the one and only Jono Lonie on fiddle, mandolin and – on a good day – uillean pipes… it’s sure to be a good night!