2026 Options:
- Celtic Guitar Master (Solo Guitar Show)
- Flynn’s Celtic Strings (Trio with Fiddle, Mandolin/Banjo, Guitar and Vocals)
2027 Advance Booking Interest:
- Irish Airs & Graces (with the New Zealand String Quartet)
About: Fresh from a highly successful 27-date 2025 New Zealand tour, acclaimed composer and master guitarist Dave Flynn returns to Aotearoa in 2026/27. He offers three unforgettable performance options, showcasing a unique blend of virtuoso musicianship, beautiful melodies, absorbing stagecraft, and innovative compositions. Designed to captivate audiences nationwide these performances deliver world-class Celtic music by NZ-based musicians—ensuring local interest and seamless logistics with artists of international standing.
Proven Track Record:
Dave’s prior NZ tours have won widespread acclaim, including sold-out shows with the NZ String Quartet at the Wanaka Festival of Colour.
Critically Acclaimed Performances:
Hailed for working “effortlessly across musical boundaries” (Radio NZ) and giving “Irish music a classical twist” (NZ Listener), Dave Flynn directs performances that are “played with intoxicating verve” (Elizabeth Kerr, Five Lines).
Seamless Logistics:
All musicians are New Zealand citizens or residents—no visa hurdles, minimal admin, and smoother touring for presenters.
Choose from Three Distinctive Productions
1. Celtic Guitar Master (Solo Show) – A spellbinding solo journey through the essence of Celtic music.
About: This intimate new solo show, coming to NZ fresh from an extensive Germany/Swiss tour, weaves centuries of Irish tradition with Flynn’s own celebrated compositions—authentic Irish music performed on classical guitar, with a touch of flamenco flair.
Expect: Timeless tunes by O’Carolan, Paddy Fahey, and more, adapted to the guitar with soul and precision.
What the critics say:
Dave Flynn is a masterful guitarist – Sing Out! Magazine
In an era dominated by fret-burning virtuosity, gently persuasive releases such as this are a rare and precious resource. A significant niche release and one of the most effective chill-out discs ever to come my way – Paul Fowles, Classical Guitar Magazine
Perfect for: Intimate venues, listening rooms, recital-style events
Listen: Discover the sound of *Celtic Guitar Master*, as heard on his 2025 retrospective album.
2. Flynn’s Celtic Strings (Trio: Guitar, Fiddle, Mandolin/Banjo, Vocals) – A vibrant trio blending Irish roots with Kiwi ingenuity.
About: Dave is joined by Wellington fiddler/singer Em Griffiths and Kawerau mandolin/banjo player Lee Corbett Barton in this new virtuoso trio.
Expect: A Celtic celebration of the 20th anniversary of Flynn’s groundbreaking debut album Draíocht– a magical mix of songs and instrumentals. Be immersed in the Kiwi-Celtic suite *Sketches of Aotearoa*, alongside rich vocal harmonies, stirring reels and jigs, and the occasional tin whistle!
What the critics say:
An interesting and intriguing collection from a tunesmith, instrumentalist and composer, Dave Flynn is a name to conjure with and Draíocht is very definitely worth an open-minded listen – Irish Music Magazine
Draiocht is Gaelic for magic, and it certainly suffuses this solo debut…He closes with an interesting, slow version of Drowsy Maggie that brings out the delights of the tune to round out an album that is, yes, magic – Sing Out! Magazine
Perfect for: Folk/Arts festivals, community halls, mid-sized concert venues.
Listen: Explore the rich blend of melody, harmony and rhythm on the album Draíocht.
3 Irish Airs & Graces (with the New Zealand String Quartet) – A groundbreaking blend of Irish melody and classical strings.
About: This acclaimed collaboration with the New Zealand String Quartet has wowed audiences in Wellington, Auckland, and, most recently with sold out performances at the 2025 Wanaka Festival of Colour. In 2027 it will return to NZ audiences with fresh twists, during Dave’s 50th birthday year.
Expect: Experience the depth of Ireland’s traditional music, re-imagined through the lush textures of a string quartet with contemporary classical creativity. Guest traditional musicians bring the airs and graces of Ireland to life with infectious authenticity,
What the critics say:
..had the audience smiling and tapping its toes to music of zest and drive from several acclaimed composers of traditional Irish music..a wonderfully convivial evening of music. Elizabeth Kerr – Five Lines
Flynn’s understated and self-effacing playing lends itself admirably to such collaborations and the NZSQ combined to provide an evening of delightful music. Howard Davis – Scoop
Perfect for: Arts festivals, Arts Centres, classical series, chamber music lovers, larger venues.
Listen: Sample this unique sound from live recordings of the 2023 Auckland concert.
Let’s Talk 2026/27!
Bring an unforgettable musical experience to your 2026 and 2026 programmes.
Contact Dave to discuss bookings and availability.
Dave Flynn’s previous tours of New Zealand were supported by Culture Ireland and Creative Communities. Their support will be sought again for 2026/27.
