El Pony Pisador

El Pony Pisador is a lively and unique band from Barcelona, known for an eclectic blend of musical styles and humorous, adventurous spirit.  Their mix of folk sounds from all over the world results in a fun and energetic sound that’s unpredictable and full of personality.
 
From their native Catalan songs and dances to Celtic and Mediterranean tunes, yodelling, Tuvan throat singing, to even Georgian polyphony or Balkan polyrhythms. El Pony Pisador is well-regarded for their ability to engage audiences with their high-energy performances, witty lyrics, and a mix of both traditional and modern influences.
 
Their live shows have been shaped by the experience of playing at festes majors (Catalan patronal festivities), which are not just a concert, but a cultural celebration where the whole town participates. This gives their concerts a festive and inclusive atmosphere, making them a great fit for festivals and international events for all ages.
 
As they bring the spirit of their cultural heritage abroad, El Pony Pisador offer spontaneity and make the crowd participation a central part of the show, making the audience feel more than just spectators.
They have released three albums, with the latest one featuring The Longest Johns, a Sea Shanties group from England. Currently, El Pony Pisador has just published its fourth album, “Ocells” in early 2024.  This work consists of 11 songs that capture the diversity of traditional Catalan music, blending it with new sounds and exploring themes ranging from medieval stories to humorous narratives and children’s tales.  Additionally, the album features collaborations with Jonatan Penalba and Tarta Relena. So far, they‘ve accumulated over 6 million streams in their catalogue, and their fan base continues to grow.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5O_x9cJTA8 
 
Doors open 7.30pm for an 8pm show.
 
Licensed Bar helps support WemsFest – As always, we’ll have our licensed bar serving delicious beers from Langham Brewery 🍻 as well as wines, local cider, nonalcoholic beers, and soft drinks. All profits from bar and ticket sales are reinvested in the local community.
 
Tickets available now at Bookends and Harbour Records and online at www.WeGotTickets.com/WemsFest
 
If you require special assistance or have mobility difficulties, please contact us in advance and we will do our very best to accommodate you so that you are comfortable.

Frigg

After 25 years, 12 albums, countless thousands of road miles we’ve finally managed to get this 6-piece band from Finland to perform in Emsworth – Frigg will play St James Church, Emsworth (PO10 7DP) on Friday 31st October.  

Expect Finnish polska, bluegrass, balkan, and even classical music in the mix and you’ll soon become a fan of these exemplary musicians!

Doors open 7.30pm for an 8pm show.
Unreserved seating.

As always, we’ll have our licensed bar serving delicious beers from Langham Brewery 🍻 as well as wines, local cider, nonalcoholic beers, and soft drinks
 
🎫 Tickets on sale now at Bookends and Harbour Records Emsworth in Emsworth village, and online at www.WeGotTickets.com/WemsFest
 
This year our charity bucket on the bar is fundraising for ❤️ Cardiac Risk in the Young ❤️, and all profits from bar and ticket sales are reinvested into our local community
 
If you require special assistance or have mobility difficulties, please contact us in advance and we will do our very best to accommodate you so that you are comfortable.

 

Fairport Convention

A welcome return to our friends who have pushed the term ‘folk-rock’ to the edge of the universe over several decades – too many to mention.

Expect consummate musicianship, and a liberal amount of corny jokes, and you won’t be disappointed !

Whether you are a long-time fan, a dedicated Cropredy festivalgoer, or a newcomer to their music, an evening with Fairport Convention is sure to surprise and delight you 🎶❤️🎵

As usual we’ll have our licensed bar serving delicious Langham Brewery beer🍻 , alongside wines, local cider, nonalcoholic beers, and soft drinks.

Doors open 7.30 for an 8pm start
Unreserved seating

Tickets available now at Bookends and Harbour Records and online here

Asere

6-piece Cuban band with a string of highly acclaimed albums behind them, they draw their inspiration from traditional Cuban son and give it a refreshing innovative edge.  Asere will play Westbourne Community Hall (AKA Westbourne Club, River Street, Westbourne, near Emsworth, PO10 8TG) on Thursday 23rd October.

Doors open 7.30pm for an 8pm show.
Limited unreserved seating with plenty of room for dancing.

As always, we’ll have our licensed bar serving delicious beers from Langham Brewery 🍻 as well as wines, local cider, nonalcoholic beers, and soft drinks
 
🎫 Tickets on sale now at Bookends and Harbour Records Emsworth in Emsworth village, and online at www.WeGotTickets.com/WemsFest
 
This year our charity bucket on the bar is fundraising for ❤️ Cardiac Risk in the Young ❤️, and all profits from bar and ticket sales are reinvested into our local community
 
If you require special assistance or have mobility difficulties, please contact us in advance and we will do our very best to accommodate you so that you are comfortable.

John Fiddler – Medicine Head (POSTPONED DUE TO ILLNESS)

**UPDATE – GIG POSTPONED DUE TO ILLNESS – ALL TICKETS WILL REMAIN VAILD FOR THE NEW DATE, TO BE ANNOUNCED ASAP**

 

One half of one of the most original outfits of the time, John Fiddler co-founded Medicine Head back in 1968 and signed to John Peel’s Dandelion label.  Medicine Head’s ‘One and One is One’ is one of those timeless songs that brought them to the attention of the masses and paved the way for an ongoing career dipping into the blues but consistent in its accomplishment.

John Fiddler and Medicine Head have a new album ‘Heartwork’ featuring ten brand new songs, a fresh and vibrant set of blues rock that once more centre the band’s founder John Fiddler and Medicine Head in the core of this wonderful tradition. ‘Heartwork’ follows the very well received ‘Warriors of Love’, album which was the first new album in a decade.

Medicine Head began life in 1968 when singer and guitarist John Fiddler and harmonica player Peter Hope-Evans began performing in the Midlands. They quickly came to the attention of John Peel and – at the insistence of John Lennon – the DJ signed the band to his own Dandelion Records label. Eric Clapton and Pete Townshend were also early cheerleaders. Peel declared the band’s debut 1968 single ‘His Guiding Hand’ to be one of the classics of all time – and a copy featured in his legendary Record Box.

Medicine Head released three albums via Dandelion Records, with Hope-Evans leaving and returning to the fold during that time. The first album, 1970’s ‘New Bottles, Old Medicine’ featured ‘His Guiding Hand’ and was recorded in a two-hour session and Medicine Head toured with the DJ at many of Peel’s shows. The band followed that with the single ‘(And The) Pictures In The Sky’ and then a second album in 1971, ‘Heavy On The Drum’; produced by the Yardbirds’ Keith Relf. After their 1972 album, ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ [yes, before Pink Floyd), the band signed to Polydor.

Medicine Head then released ‘One & One Is One’, the single charted at No.3 in the charts and the album of the same name garnered them more fans. The following album ‘Thru’ A Five’ gave them more hits with “Rising Sun” and ‘Slip and Slide’. Soon after that the band became a duo again, releasing the fittingly titled album ‘Two Man Band’ in 1976. The following year, Peter Hope-Evans left for the final time, although John Fiddler (with Peter’s blessing), continues to work, and record as Medicine Head – releasing two critically acclaimed albums in the last 3 years. “WARRIORS OF LOVE” and “HEARTWORK” 2024.

John Fiddler has retained his voice and his musical freedom: this is an artist and a band with pedigree and a story. ‘Heartwork’ is cut through with experience and integrity and sits well within that Medicine Head catalogue.

In 2025, WemsFest adds The Havana to its quiver of venues. The Havana is an atmospheric subterranean venue in the heart of Chichester. Easily accessible by public transport, come enjoy an evening out in Chichester’s premier grassroots music venue. The Havana’s licensed bar and cosy (unreserved) seating will ensure you are comfortable. Apologies however that this venue is not wheelchair-accessible.

Gordon Giltrap & John Etheridge

Gordon Giltrap and John Etheridge – two of the finest and most original guitarists in concert separately and together in the wonderfully intimate Old Malthouse.

As always, we’ll have our licensed bar serving delicious beers from Langham Brewery 🍻 as well as wines, local cider, nonalcoholic beers, & soft drinks.  All profits from bar & ticket sales are reinvested in the local community

🎫 Tickets available from Bookends and Harbour Records Emsworth in Emsworth village, and online here

Unreserved seating. Licensed Bar helps support WemsFest.
Please park with care and consideration for the neighbours

9th Emsworth Beer, Wine, & Cider Festival

Our 9th Emsworth Beer, Wine, & Cider Festival will have around 25 delicious cask-conditioned ales from near and far, including interesting local brews and national award winners, along with a number of excellent ciders.  We will be joined by independent wine merchant, Bush Vines, who will be providing a range of wines by the glass.  Please note we do not stock ales which you will find in the Emsworth area – we source from as far afield as Scotland’s Northern Isles!

Local musicians will perform at all sessions.  During the Friday evening session, local shantygang Spinnaker Shanty will sing from their wide repertoire of songs of the sea.  During the Saturday afternoon session, the Southampton Ukulele Jam will be on hand to properly entertain you!  Andy Beaumont will perform songs on Saturday evening.  The Westbourne‘s Top Burrito van will be parked on site for the weekend to ensure that no one goes hungry!

All profits from ticket and bar sales go towards supporting WemsFest (an entirely volunteer-run community interest company) to deliver world-class live music at very local venues – in addition to bringing musical workshops into local schools for Black History Month in October!

The Festival is held in the Emsworth Community Centre, a short walk from Emsworth Station and a stone’s throw from the 700 bus route.  The Community Centre is at the bottom of North Street, just north of the roundabout, between Emsworth Medical Practice and the Fire Station.

We will have an outdoor seating area, subject to the weather, and an additional large ‘quiet’ room inside where we will show silent films and where you can play cards or board games.

Tickets include a souvenir glass, programme and your first pint of beer or cider, or glass of wine.

There are four sessions:

Friday 19th September – 5.00pm – 10.30pm – £12.50
Saturday 20th September – 11am – 5.00pm – £12.50
Saturday 20th September – 5.00pm – 10.30pm – £12.50
Sunday 21st September – 12 noon – 4.00pm – FREE Admission with all remaining beers (if there is any beer left) at substantially reduced prices.  

Tickets are now available from Bookends, Harbour Records, the Emsworth Community Centre, and online at www.WeGotTickets.com/WemsFest

Why Not Sponsor a Barrel?

If you or your business are interested in sponsoring a barrel for the Festival we’d love to hear from you – please email Mark at adwemsfest@gmail.com.  Sponsorship costs only £100; you will receive 4 free tickets for you and your friends and advertising on our promotional material, including the souvenir glasses, and at the event.  Most importantly you will be helping to ensure the financial viability of a great local event.  Cheers!

Barry ‘The Fish’ Melton & his band

Founding member of legendary Californian psychedelic rock band Country Joe & The Fish – Barry ‘The Fish’ Melton on lead vocals and guitar, plus Rob Beckinsale on keyboard and vocals, Canadian guitarist Natalie Martel on rhythm guitar, Steve Browning on bass, Parisian Stephane Missri on guitar and vocals, and Bernie Fox on drums.

A rare opportunity to savour some of the music of one of the finest psychedelic rock bands in the world, in an incredibly intimate venue in the heart of Chichester !

Over fifty years ago, during the “Summer of Love” – 1967 – Barry “The Fish” Melton celebrated his 20th birthday in June 1967. A few days later, he and his band, “Country Joe and the Fish,” were rocketed onto the world stage at the Monterey Pop Festival with such luminaries as the Jefferson Airplane, the Mamas and the Papas, Otis Redding, Ravi Shankar, Simon and Garfunkel, The Who and a relatively unknown guitarist named Jimi Hendrix. And fifty years ago, in 1969, Barry appeared at the historic festival in Woodstock, New York and also appeared in the movie bearing the same name: “Woodstock.”

Barry began the 1970’s with an album for Columbia Records produced by legendary guitarist Michael Bloomfield, Barry took up part-time residence in the United Kingdom and recorded two albums at Rockfield Studios in Wales; and he toured extensively in the U.K., France and the Netherlands; Barry and ultimately returned home to San Francisco to record his fifth album of the decade.

In the 1980’s, Barry put together San Francisco’s historic supergroup, “Dinosaurs,” featuring Barry and John Cipollina (Quicksilver Messenger Service, guitar), Spencer Dryden (Jefferson Airplane, drums), Peter Albin (Big Brother and the Holding Company, bass), and Robert Hunter (Grateful Dead songwriter, guitar). Other members of the band later included Merl Saunders and Papa John Creech. “Dinosaurs” recorded its debut album and opened for Tony Bennett at the 50th Anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge celebration in 1987.

In 2025, WemsFest adds The Havana to its quiver of venues. The Havana is an atmospheric subterranean venue in the heart of Chichester. Easily accessible by public transport, come enjoy an evening out in Chichester’s premier grassroots music venue. The Havana’s licensed bar and cosy (unreserved) seating will ensure you are comfortable. Apologies however that this venue is not wheelchair-accessible.

Doors open 7.30 for an 8pm start

Tickets available at Bookends and Harbour Records in Emsworth village, and online at www.WeGotTickets.com/WemsFest 

 

Le Vent du Nord

Le Vent du Nord are firm friends of WemsFest, and their local audience continues to grow despite the likelihood that many listeners won’t understand a word that’s being sung – it doesn’t matter! If you’ve seen them before, you know. If you haven’t, take a chance on something different – you will not regret it!

The multi-award-winning and highly acclaimed Le Vent du Nord is a leading force in Québec’s progressive francophone folk movement.  The group’s vast repertoire draws from both traditional sources and original compositions, while enhancing its hard-driving soulful music with a broad range of global influences.

Since its inception in August 2002, Le Vent du Nord has enjoyed meteoric success, performing well over 2,500 concerts over 4 continents and racking up several prestigious awards, including a SONGLINES MUSIC AWARD -Americas (UK, 2023) Grand Prix du Disque Charles Cros (France), two Junos (Canada’s Grammys), three FÉLIX at ADISQ (Québec), a Canadian Folk Music Award, and been awarded Artist of the Year at the Folk Alliance annual gala.

The group exhibits great finesse and flexibility, appearing regularly on Canadian, American, French, and UK television and radio, and participating in a wide variety of special musical projects. They’ve collaborated and performed with a diverse range of artists including: Väsen, Sharon Shannon, Harry Manx, singer Julie Fowlis, Dervish, The Chieftains, Yann-Fañch Kemener, Québécois roots legend and master storyteller Michel Faubert, Apiary fiddle band, Breabach and many more. Not content with standard approaches to tradition, Le Vent du Nord has also created since 2007 a symphonic concert that, according to Voir Montreal, “puts all traditional folk naysayers to shame.”

As an amazing live performance quintet, Le Vent du Nord continues to explore new sounds with stunning vocal arrangements. On stage these 5 friends create intense, joyful and dynamic live performances that expand the bounds of tradition in striking directions.

THE BAND
Nicolas Boulerice – vocals, electro acoustic hurdy-gurdy, piano
André Brunet – fiddle, foot-tapping, vocals
Réjean Brunet – basses, diatonic accordion, jaw harp, piano, vocals
Olivier Demers – fiddle, guitar, foot-tapping, mandolin, vocals
André Gagné – vocals, bouzouki, guitar

On stage these 5 musicians create intense, joyful and dynamic live performances that expand the bounds of tradition in striking global directions. This is the modern sound of tradition, a music of the here and now.

Unreserved seating
Doors open 7.30pm for an 8pm show
Licensed Bar helps support WemsFest – As always, we’ll have our licensed bar serving delicious beers from Langham Brewery 🍻 as well as wines, local cider, nonalcoholic beers, and soft drinks. All profits from bar and ticket sales are reinvested in the local community.

Tickets available now at Bookends and Harbour Records and online here

Blue Rose Code (SOLD OUT)

‘Ravishingly beautiful, a burnished blaze of Caledonian Soul, muted jazz, and poetic recitation’ This comment from Uncut magazine succinctly describes this much lauded musician who has the rare quality of making you feel that he’s performing just for you.

Blue Rose Code is a band led by Edinburgh-born songwriter Ross Wilson. At the edge of contemporary alt-folk, Wilson’s music evokes a meeting of Van Morrison and a young John Martyn, both shipwrecked with a bunch of Motown records.

In 2025, WemsFest adds The Havana, Chichester, to its quiver of venues. The Havana is an atmospheric subterranean venue in the heart of Chichester. Easily accessible by public transport, come enjoy an evening out in Chichester’s premier grassroots music venue. The Havana’s licensed bar and cosy (unreserved) seating will ensure you are comfortable.

Come see Blue Rose Code at WemsFest at The Havana on Thursday 17th July in Chichester. You won’t regret it.

Tickets available now at Bookends and Harbour Records and online here