JUNO Award Nominees, Rum Ragged, take a bold approach to the distinct folk music of their home, the Eastern Canadian island of Newfoundland. With a reverence for their roots and a creative, contemporary edge, this young band has quickly become known as the finest performers of their great, living, musical tradition.
Boasting bouzouki, fiddle, bodhran, banjo, guitar, and button accordion, these new champions of East Coast music enliven and enlighten audiences with their signature brand of Newfoundland folk. Always honest, thought-provoking, and often humorous, it’s Rum Ragged’s live show that makes them a fast favourite with any audience. Their combination of striking vocal harmonies, staggering musicianship, and captivating storytelling gives concert-goers an experience they won’t soon forget.
Since their inception in 2016, Rum Ragged has maintained a rigorous tour schedule, performing at some of the world’s premier folk, celtic and roots venues all while managing to record four acclaimed, award-winning studio albums. Rum Ragged is not your run-of-the-mill folk band, they are the genuine article.
Rum Ragged will play The Old Malthouse (AKA Chidham Village Hall, Main Road, Chidham, West Sussex, PO18 8TP) on Saturday 24th January
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
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 at adwemsfest@gmail.com or 07802 500 050 and we will do our very best to accommodate you so that you are comfortable.
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.
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
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.
JUNO Award-winners, The East Pointers, are redefining the ever-evolving genre – modern folk – with dancefloor-shaking, ceiling-rattling, electro-trad breakdowns, and a glorious combination of folk, pop, and dance music. Already internationally acknowledged as musical trailblazers, their latest EPs House Of Dreams and Safe In Sound capture the furious energy of their live shows and push the boundaries of East Coast folk while lighting a path for a new generation of music lovers.
Fans of The East Pointers have Koady Chaisson to thank for being the kinetic force behind the JUNO-Award winning indie-folk trio since the group formed in 2014. The dancefloor-shaking, electro-trad glorious combination of folk/pop has brought so much joy to audiences around the world. And now, even posthumously, Koady’s energetic fire continues to blaze the musical trail onward.
It was on January 6, 2022 that Koady Chaisson of The East Pointers passed away from an unexpected heart aneurysm at 37. Those who were lucky to have been influenced by his creative and generous soul felt like a black hole had suddenly formed where the supernova of Koady’s light had been.
But before his passing, Koady, Tim Chaisson, and Jake Charron, had recorded most of the tracks for two new EPs. Unlike any of the The East Pointers’ material to date, these precious songs are shiny and melodic, nostalgia-flared, folk experimental pop but with the same driving trad hooks for which the band has become known and revered.
The first EP, House of Dreams, was released in September 2022 and was nominated for a JUNO Award in 2023. The second EP, Safe In Sound, was released in November 2023.
The East Pointers have toured extensively in the UK, USA, Japan, and Australia, in addition to their native Canada, and have become firm festival favourites around the globe. Their debut album Secret Victory won the 2017 JUNO Award for ‘Traditional Album of the Year’, their 2017 album What We Leave Behind and their 2022 EP House Of Dreams were nominated for JUNO Awards, and they have developed loyal fanbases in Australia, New Zealand, Japan, the UK, Europe, Mexico, the USA, and Canada.
Our WemsFest audience were lucky to experience one of the last concerts The East Pointers played as a trio, in November 2021. We are delighted to welcome Tim and Jake back to our stage for the last date of The East Pointers’ UK Spring 2025 tour.
For this show only, The East Pointers will have support from special guests Saije!
Saije is an award-winning, indie-folk duo whose soulful harmonies, dynamic guitar-lines and percussive breakdowns breathe life into heartfelt stories. Their songwriting is crafted from the depths; stirring melodies bound together with graceful lyricism, and through multitasking techniques, the pair create a full-bodied sound enriched by flavours from their travels around the globe.
After being awarded Folk Alliance Australia’s ‘Young Artist of the Year 2019-2021’, Saije has toured extensively in Australia, throughout Canada in 2020 and most recently two 50-plus-date Europe and UK tours in 2023 and 2024, playing a plethora of sold-out performances and festival appearances, including at Woodford Folk Festival (AUS), Galway Folk Festival (IRE), Surfana Festival (NL), Magpies Nest (UK) and a Folk Alliance International Official Showcase (US). Saije have supported some of Australia’s most renowned singer songwriters such as Ziggy Alberts, Kim Churchill and Steph Strings. They continue to uplift both national and international audiences through their unifying performances and a warmth that fills small halls and overflows from large festival stages.
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.
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.
The Barleycorn Tavern, which is a stone’s throw from the Village Hall, are very kindly offering ticket holders 2 for 1 meals before the concert. You’ll need to call them and book at least 3 days before the event, and will need to show either your ticket or your WeGotTickets.com email.
Siobhan Miller Trio
One of Scotland’s most celebrated folk singer-songwriters, Siobhan Miller embarks upon an intimate trio tour, joined by two of Scotland’s finest musicians: Innes White on guitar and Charlie Stewart on fiddle. This acoustic setting is the perfect opportunity to see Siobhan’s richly celebrated Scottish folk songs up close and personal.
Siobhan’s musical prowess has earned her numerous accolades, including four BBC Alba Scots Trad Music Awards; Scots Singer of the Year titles and a BBC Radio 2 Folk Award for Best Traditional Track. Her discography boasts five solo releases, all of which have been shortlisted for BBC Alba STMA Album of the Year, including her latest album, Bloom.
An out and out, freewheeling celebration of much-loved Scottish songs, Bloom deftly balances a love of traditional song with modern influences. Joyous and cathartic, it adds to the wide ranging accolades and radio-play enjoyed throughout Siobhan’s solo career.
Having grown up in Scotland’s rich folk scene, Siobhan has been a regular performer at Glasgow’s Celtic Connections festival, where she was Artistic Director for the 2016 Opening Concert and featured amidst the star-studded Transatlantic Sessions line-up in 2022, duetting with Paul Brady and Sarah Jarosz.
Siobhan’s unique vocal style has been honed through collaborations with many of Scotland’s top musicians, including Eddi Reader, Kris Drever, & Phil Cunningham. She has also made guest appearances with the National Theatre of Scotland, spent a season on Broadway, returned to the US for a month-long residency in Boston’s Majestic Theatre for Brian O’Donovan’s Celtic Christmas, and can be spotted on US/UK TV drama Outlander.
This is a rare opportunity to see Siobhan Miller in intimate surrounds, and experience her stunning vocals and lyrical songs in a truly special setting. WemsFest are delighted to be introducing Siobhan, Innes, and Charlie to our audience – though we suspect plenty of you will need no introduction to her music!
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.
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.
The Barleycorn Tavern, which is a stone’s throw from the Village Hall, are very kindly offering ticket holders 2 for 1 meals before the concert. You’ll need to call them and book at least 3 days before the event, and will need to show either your ticket or your WeGotTickets.com email.
Richard Wood’s East Coast Kitchen Party (CANCELLED)
**UPDATE** Unfortunately for reasons beyond the control of WemsFest and The Crown Inn Emsworth, this gig has been cancelled. We apologise to all who were planning to attend.
Just announced! Richard Wood’s East Coast Kitchen Party!
One of the world’s finest fiddlers plays an extremely rare English date and brings all the atmosphere and fun of a Canadian East Coast Kitchen Party with him and his two accompanying musicians, Kimberley Holmes (piano) and Brent Chaisson (guitar)
Wednesday 7th May 8pm (VENUE CHANGE) The Crown Inn (upstairs), 8 High Street, Emsworth, PO10 7AW
Named by MacLean’s Magazine as one of the Top 100 Canadians to watch in the 21st Century, 5x East Coast Music Award, multi-Music PEI Award-winning Richard Wood has blown away sold-out audiences around the globe with traditional-born, fiery brand of Celtic music.
Richard has played for Prime Ministers, Senators, Governors General, Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles III, princes, princesses, and the Emperor of Japan, but he is most proud to have entertained Canada’s Armed Forces in the North Pole, Bosnia, and twice in Afghanistan.
Richard Wood’s lucrative 30-year career includes highlights such as touring with musical heavyweights like Shania Twain and The Chieftains, and performing around the world at places like Lincoln Centre, the Kennedy Centre, and the prestigious Carnegie Hall. Wood has appeared on special televised events and programs such as The Tonight Show, Good Morning America, and treasured Canadian programs of days-gone-by like Up Home Tonight and The Rita MacNeil Show. Richard also performed for a special Canada Day on Parliament Hill, which was nationally televised by CBC in front of a live audience of over 100,000.
His Canadian Folk Music Award-nominated and ECMA-award-winning 8th album, UNBROKEN, was mastered by legendary multi-Grammy-Award-winning Bob Ludwig from Gateway Studios.
Along with winning countless championships as both a step dancer and fiddler, Richard has also earned the Don Messer Memorial Trophy, twice!
One of Prince Edward Island’s best exports and always the proud Island ambassador, Richard has brought his highly sought-after, energetic brand of music around the world, touring extensively in Australia, Europe, Asia, and all across North America.
PLEASE NOTE THAT WE HAVE CHANGED THE VENUE AND TICKETING STRUCTURE FOR THIS EVENT – DO NOT BUY TICKETS USING ONLINE LINKS – INSTEAD, TICKETS WILL BE SOLD ON THE DOOR ON A FIRST-COME, FIRST-ADMITTED, ‘PAY-AS-YOU-FEEL’ BASIS Come join us for this very special ‘kitchen party’ in the pub!
Licensed bar at all WemsFest events
GNOSS (SOLD OUT)
A welcome back to WemsFest, but to a new venue, for this multi-talented and award-winning Scots band. GNOSS combines the talents of Aidan Moodie (guitar/vocals), Graham Rorie (fiddle/mandolin/electric tenor guitar), Connor Sinclair (flute/whistles/vocals), and Craig Baxter (bodhran/percussion) – and they have 3 fabulous albums which exemplify their forward-thinking take on traditional music coupled with the warmth of their live shows.
‘Album of the Year’ Nominees, Scots Trad Music Awards 2019 & 2021 ‘Up and Coming Artist of the Year’ Nominees, Scots Trad Music Awards 2017 BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award Semi-Finalists 2016 Danny Kyle Award Winners 2015
“Gnoss are one of those rare birds in folk: a group you can name after hearing their first notes.” – Folk Radio UK
Gnoss’ signature sound is a rich tapestry of acoustic layers; outstanding musicianship, deep traditional roots and contemporary compositional flair combine to create songs and tunes brimming with character. Triple Scots Trad Music Awards nominees, the band have built an invested following through their forward-thinking take on traditional music and the unique warmth of their live shows. This has been proven through three consecutive sellout appearances at Glasgow’s world-famous Celtic Connections festival.
Their 2019 release, ‘Drawn From Deep Water’ was met with widespread praise (“a refreshing blast” – RnR) for its exemplary interplay, nakedly emotional playing, and well chosen material. The 11-track album brought Gnoss to entranced audiences across France, Italy and Denmark, not to
mention the length and breadth of the UK.
Their follow-up album, ‘The Light of The Moon’, continued to demonstrate Gnoss’ dedication to their craft that places them firmly at the fore of what’s happening in Scottish folk and earned them a nomination for Album of the Year at the Scots Trad Music Awards. Described as “an invigorating new direction for the Gnoss boys” by Songlines, this album took Gnoss’ online fanbase by storm gaining over one million streams in 2022.
With the release of their third album, 2023’s ‘Stretching Skyward’, Gnoss reignite their collaboration with producer and engineer, Scott Wood (Skerryvore), further exploring their acoustic roots whilst incorporating new, electronic elements. Launch dates included performances across the UK and Europe, including standout appearances at the Orkney Folk Festival, Cambridge Folk Festival, Towersey Festival and Denmark’s Tønder Festival.
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.
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.
Feast of Fiddles (note early start time 7.30pm)
The clue is in the name !
Born in Nettlebed on Valentine’s Day 1994 as a one-off special concert, Feast of Fiddles has done 29 spring tours, 26 festivals and has 7 CDs to its name. Not bad for a bunch of old folk-rockers!
This is a band of friends that puts on a show of huge dynamic range performed with passion, joy and a liberal dose of fun. Fiddlers Garry Blakeley (Band of Two), Ian Cutler (Bully Wee), Marion Fleetwood (Trad Arr, Sandy Denny Project), Tom Leary (Joe Brown), Brian McNeill (Battlefield Band), and Simon Swarbrick (Merry Hell) bring a large range of fiddle playing styles to the rock back-line – all held together by legendary drummer Dave Mattacks, Martin Vincent on guitar, Dave Harding on bass, and genial host Hugh Crabtree on accordion. This is a live music entertainment like no other on the circuit which is guaranteed to be enjoyed by even the most doubting of friends dragged along!
“Absolutely awesome!” – Sue Marchant, BBC East
“Britain’s fiddling supergroup” – Mark Radcliffe, BBC Radio 2
“The best fiddle players of a generation” – Ian A Anderson
** NOTE EARLY START!!** Doors open 7pm for a 7.30pm start.
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.
Please don’t try to park on Church Path or the other small local roads – there is plenty of free car parking in local car parks.
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.
FARA
In celebration of their 10th anniversary, Orkney-born folk quartet FARAembark on a whistlestop tour around the UK in 2025, returning to some of their favourite venues and towns from a decade of touring. Presenting an evening of highlights from their three critically acclaimed albums, FARA’s fiery fiddles, foot-stomping piano, and enchanting three-part vocal harmony will take you on a joyful journey through their time performing at the forefront of Scotland’s folk music scene.
FARA have played at WemsFest several times previously and are a firm favourite with our audience! We are delighted to be welcoming them back to The Old Malthouse for a special 10th anniversary show.
“The album (Energy Islands) beguiles right from the pizzicato strings and dancing piano that herald the first track.” – The Scotsman
Comprising Kristan Harvey, Jeana Leslie, & Catriona Price – each on fiddle and vocals – and accompanied by Rory Matheson on piano, FARA have racked up a number of nominations and awards, including:
Scots Trad Music Awards Best Live Act Nominees 2022 & 2019
Belhaven Bursary Nominees 2019
BBC Radio 2 Horizon Award Nominees 2017
German Critics’ Choice Award Winners 2019
“Torch-bearers of a freshly reinvigorated tradition. . . one of the most exciting Scottishfolk discoveries in recent years” – AllMusic
“Gifted, imaginative, complex and engaging. . . a sound that just exudes joy” – FRUK
“Bring contemporary fiddle music to new heights. . . enthralling vocal arrangements” – Scotsman
“From delicate, elegant and beautiful to full and rich and fiery. . . spellbinding” – Fatea
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.
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.
The Barleycorn Tavern, which is a stone’s throw from the Village Hall, are very kindly offering ticket holders 2 for 1 meals before the concert. You’ll need to call them and book at least 3 days before the event, and will need to show either your ticket or your WeGotTickets.com email.
as well as wines, local cider, nonalcoholic beers, and soft drinks
Tickets on sale now at Bookends and Harbour Records in Emsworth village, at The Westbourne Cafe in Westbourne Village, and online at www.WeGotTickets.com/WemsFest
Cardiac Risk in the Young 
as well as wines, local cider, nonalcoholic beers, and soft drinks. All profits from bar and ticket sales are reinvested in the local community.
