At our request, the Intensely personal acoustic songwriting and raw, emotive performance of Shane Seward graces The Cellar once again.
Review: Shane Seward at The Cellar
So who am I to judge? No one — just someone who works at a little wine bar in Dunedin with a stage and an owner who gives me a long lead at times. So here we go.
(We’re the newest venue in town and already have our first noise complaint — surely that deserves a T-shirt?)
We’ve had plenty of musicians through our doors over the years, but Shane Seward stood out. His guitar is loved, and it shows. His voice — effortless power and warmth. His set blends strong, credible originals with a few well-chosen covers, often from his Canadian roots (despite rumours he’s from the States).
When he played The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down by The Band, I was in the kitchen frying chips and feeling nostalgic — it was a great reimagining of a classic.
What makes Shane’s performance special is that he clearly plays to make himself happy — not for glory, not for greed — and it shines through in every note. He writes and sings love songs for his wife and kids, yet can turn edgy in an instant, drawing you in line by line.
That’s why we asked him back.
Don’t miss this guy. If not at ours, catch him somewhere — Shane Seward is a quiet jewel in Dunedin’s music scene.
Colin from The Cellar, first and possibly last review.
