Ethereal Celtic EDM Sounds Coming to Audiences Across New Zealand

New Zealand’s own Celt-tronic artist Melissa Cox is joining forces with celebrated Celtic fusion singer Celia Farran (Washington, USA) to bring their unique collaboration, The Mystic Muses: Celtic Music of the Past, Present, and Future to towns across Aotearoa in January and February of 2026. The double bill tour will span both the North and South Islands with ten shows scheduled across regional communities.

This musical pairing blends Celtic tradition with powerful vocals and modern ethereal soundscapes, promising a truly enchanting experience for fans of Enya, Loreena McKennitt, and Celtic Woman.

Melissa Cox, an award-winning songwriter based in Tauranga, creates a one-woman storm of Celtic tradition, tribal beats, and celestial synths. Using her looping pedal to layer tin whistle, electric mandolin, piano, synths, and haunting vocals, Cox creates a sound likened to Enigma and Loreena McKennitt.

Her tour partner, Celia Farran, was dubbed a “cross between an Earthy Enya and Joan Baez.” Celia, who plays bodhran (frame drum), guitar, ukulele, and who also utilises live looping, captivates audiences with her heart-felt vocals, sea shanties, mystical odes to Mother Earth, and musical comedy.

Cox and Farran were inspired to bring their fresh take on Celtic music across the motu after seeing so many summer festivals announce they would not be going forward.

“Summertime is meant for music and dancing, so we wanted to bring something fun and fresh to people across Aotearoa,” Cox explains. “All of our shows are either koha-based, or the tickets are priced very affordably, so that anyone can enjoy the music.”

SHOW DATES:
Friday, Jan 2: Waihi Beach, The Secret Garden
Sunday, Jan 4: Mount Maunganui Hot Pools (acoustic only)
Saturday, Jan 10: Gisborne, Smash Palace
Friday, Jan 16: Katikati, Katikati Folk Club
Sunday, Jan 25: Marlborough, Private House Concert
Thursday, Jan 29: Nelson, The Boathouse
Saturday, Jan 31: Akaroa, The Grand Hotel
Sunday, Feb 1: Lyttelton, Wunderbar
Friday, Feb 6: Paraparaumu, Raumati Social Club
Saturday, Feb 7: Whanganui, La Fiesta Women’s Festival, Amdram Theatre

Tickets and full show details, including venues and times, are available at http://www.melcoxmusic.com/tour