Notes, photographs, old receipts, letters, postcards and fragments of people’s lives had been collected and kept on the board on the wall among the bookshelves.
Forming an inimitable songwriting partnership, Yvonne and Boo weave these ephemeral stories with their own, creating an album full of nostalgia and beauty, hope and longing.
Boo Hewerdine & Yvonne Lyon will play The Old Malthouse (AKA Chidham Village Hall, Main Road, Chidham, West Sussex, PO18 8TP) on Friday 22nd May
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
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.
Gigspanner Big Band
Gigspanner Big Band
Weds 15th April 8pm
St James Church, Emsworth, Hampshire, PO10 7DP
“As collaborations go, it doesn’t get much more mouth-watering than this.” 🎻🔥
The Gigspanner Big Band is more than just a folk group; they are a unique force in British music. Led by the legendary Peter Knight, this ensemble blends virtuosity with high-energy innovation, creating art that FRUK calls “some of the most important and exhilarating” in the genre.
From traditional roots to experimental heights, they’ve captured the hearts of fans and critics alike—from The Telegraph to The Wire.
The Powerhouse Line-up: ✨ Peter Knight (Violin) ✨ John Spiers (Melodeon – Bellowhead co-founder) ✨ Edgelarks (Phillip Henry & Hannah Martin – BBC Folk Award Winners) ✨ Roger Flack (Guitar) & Sacha Trochet (Drums)
Heading to the show? Here is everything you need to know:
⏰ Timings: Doors open at 7:30 PM | Show starts at 8:00 PM.
🪑 Seating: Unreserved (arrive early to pick your spot!).
🍺 The Bar: Fully licensed and stocked with LanghamBrewerybeers, as well as local cider, wine, and soft drinks.
🤝 Our Mission: We are proud to reinvest all profits from our bar and tickets back into the local community.
✨ Accessibility: We want everyone to enjoy the show! If you have mobility difficulties or need assistance, please reach out in advance: 📧 adwemsfest@gmail.com 📞 07802 500 050
Salt House
A delightful blend of heartfelt vocals and instrumental interplay influenced by the landscapes of the Scottish Highlands, Northumberland, and Shetland has given this trio a deserved reputation.
Jenny Sturgeon (vocals, keys, guitar), Ewan MacPherson (vocals, electric and acoustic guitars), and Anna Hughes (vocals, fiddle, viola, and tenor guitar) make their first visit to WemsFest and with a new album to boot !
Salt House have been a mainstay on the folk scene for over a decade. The band’s reputation as thoughtful and innovative interpreters of both ancient ballads and contemporary songs has been solidified with acclaimed album releases and extensive touring. Described as a “gentle, lulling delight” by The Guardian, Salt House blend heartfelt vocal and instrumental interplay, offering listeners a moment of reflection and connection. New songs that sound like they’ve always been here, ancient ballads woken up. Poems given melodies they’ve long deserved.
Jenny Sturgeon, who has a PhD in seabird ecology, is known for her introspective solo work and collaborations with Birdvox and Outliers. Through her creative output as a sound artist and songwriter she explores themes of landscape and human connections. Her solo project ‘The Living Mountain’ based on the writing of Nan Shepherd was released to wide critical acclaim.
Anna Hughes, a versatile multi-instrumentalist and composer, draws on her transitory life experiences to create music that reflects forgotten landscapes and the wonders of the natural world. Working across multi-disciplinary projects Anna is a sought after collaborator as well as working with duo project Watersmeet.
Ewan MacPherson, is a multi-instrumentalist and singer with over two decades of experience working at the forefront of the folk / trad music scene. He toured extensively with Shooglenifty for thirteen years, was a member of Malinky and Nu-Nordic Quartet Fribo. His session work includes a variety of artists from the British Isles and beyond. His most recent solo project album ‘Hushman’ was described by KLOF Magazine as “…a little masterpiece of confidence and understatement. Wonderful.”
“effortless” – BBC 6
“elegant” – Mojo Magazine
Salt House will play Westbourne Community Hall (AKA Westbourne Club, River Street, Westbourne, West Sussex, PO10 8TG) on Wednesday 4th March
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 in Emsworth village, at The Westbourne Cafe in Westbourne Village, and online at www.WeGotTickets.com/WemsFest
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.
Feast of Fiddles – 31st Spring Tour! (SOLD OUT)
** NOTE EARLY START!!** Doors open 7pm for a 7.30pm start.
The 31st tour for this band of friends! We are delighted to welcome Feast of Fiddles‘s 2026 lineup back to WemsFest! Join us for an incredible evening of live music with Garry Blakeley, Hugh Crabtree, Mark Jolley, Dave Harding, Tom Leary, Dave Mattacks, Martin Vincent, Marion Fleetwood, Simon Swarbrick, and Phil Beer
Born in Nettlebed on Valentine’s Day 1994 as a one-off special concert, Feast of Fiddles has done 30 spring tours, nearly as many 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), Marion Fleetwood (Trad Arr, Sandy Denny Project), Mark Jolley (Banter), Simon Swarbrick (Merry Hell), Tom Leary (Joe Brown), Phil Beer (Show of Hands) bring a large range of fiddle playing styles to the rock back-line – all held together by melodeon player and compere Hugh Crabtree, guitar player Martin Vincent, bass player Dave Harding, and legendary drummer Dave Mattacks. As this is the 30th anniversary of the band you can expect to see and hear past member special guests along the way. Keep an eye open for tour news on our website. 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
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.
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, on Bridge Street and behind Tesco Express on North Street.
The East Pointers (support from Anouska Assisi)
We are delighted to welcome The East Pointers back to WemsFest in January 2026!
JUNO Award-winners The East Pointers are innovators within the ever-evolving genre of modern folk, crafting a joy-conjuring, dancefloor-shaking, roof-rattling fusion of folk, pop, and dance music. In the studio, six records have captured the furious energy of their live shows, adding to the legacy of East Coast folk while lighting a path for a new generation of music lovers.
Already internationally acknowledged as musical trailblazers, on their newest offering, Schoonertown, to be released January 23, 2026, The East Pointers have come home. Equal parts origin story and statement of craft, Schoonertown captures the moments that shaped their youth: nights out with the boys, the dizzy romance of first love, sprawling families and small towns, two weeks on in a bleak winter, kitchen parties and vinyl records and tape decks, every mistake, every late night, every long drive, beer and cigarettes and fights, laughing until you can’t breathe, ambition rising like a king tide, the piss and vinegar of youth, the sun emerging so bright over the horizon you have to shield your eyes–the devastation and exhilaration of all of it.
Since their debut album, Secret Victory, took home the 2017 JUNO Award for Traditional Album of the Year, The East Pointers have cemented their place as a defining voice in contemporary folk music. Their music, streamed millions of times over each month, has been featured on television, film, and broadcast, and their acoustic performances on social media have been shared by the likes of Ed Sheeran and Mumford & Sons. They regularly light up stages across Australia, Japan, the UK, Europe, Mexico, New Zealand, the USA, and Canada, and each fall they bring that energy back home to Prince Edward Island, where they host Goolaholla!, a festival celebrating music, community, and the spirit of the East Coast.
Acoustic pop singer-songwriterAnouska Assisiblends a broad range of musical influences into a distinctive and engaging sound. Her songs combine catchy hooks with thoughtful, relatable lyrics, creating music that truly connects with listeners. Inspired by pop icons such as Ed Sheeran and KT Tunstall, Anouska uses a loop station to build original music live on stage, performing across the UK. She transforms songs from a single guitar strum into a full production within minutes, using only her voice, guitar, and pedals.
In November 2025, Anouska released her much-anticipated second EP, You’re My Light. The EP captures the extraordinary, ever-changing emotions of being in love, with tracks featured on BBC Introducing. We can’t wait to hear these tracks live!
In 2026, WemsFest adds Room 12 to its quiver of venues. Formerly The Vestry, Room 12 is Chichester’s brand-new destination for live music, DJ events, comedy, and alternative nightlife, bringing a fresh and exciting energy to the city’s entertainment scene. Designed with a sleek, monochrome aesthetic and an edgy, underground vibe, the venue is built for those who crave exceptional live performances, high-quality sound, and an unforgettable atmosphere.
Please note that this is an 18+ show only. Licensed bar til late.
Doors open 6.30pm for a 7pm start (Anouska Assisi) before The East Pointers come on stage at 8pm
Unreserved (minimal) seating with plenty of room for dancing
All profits from ticket sales are reinvested in the local community – AKA musical workshops in local schools during Black History Month.
We will also be shaking the bucket for our chosen charity this year, raising money forCardiac Risk in the Young 💪🏽❤️💪🏽- please help us support this vital charity, in memory of Koady Chaisson who is deeply missed on stage!
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.
The Jeremiahs
One of the fastest selling Irish bands we’ve ever promoted. Winners of countless awards in Ireland, Germany, USA and beyond. They bring a classy freshness to traditional Irish music!
The Jeremiahs will play The Old Malthouse (AKA Chidham Village Hall, PO18 8TP) on Saturday 6th December
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.
Flook – celebrating their 30th anniversary!
Anglo-Irish cutting edge folk music doesn’t get much better that this !
Flook are returning to WemsFest, to celebrate their 30th anniversary!
Weds 26th Nov 8pm
St James Church, Emsworth, PO10 7BY
What began in 1995 as a ground-breaking union of musicians and instruments, has continued as a unique musical offering through one live album, four studio albums and countless outstanding performances.
A new recording is due for release in early 2025. After 30 years Flook show no sign of letting-up in their brilliance, their dynamism, or their inventive flair.
The band early on evolved an inimitable trademark sound and hold fast to their rightful reputation as exceptional musical innovators; the whistles and flutes of Brian Finnegan and Sarah Allen, the guitar of Ed Boyd and the bodhran of John Joe Kelly weaving and spinning tunes rooted in tradition over precise acoustic grooves, with a rare blend of fiery technical brilliance, delicate ensemble interaction and a bold, adventurous musical imagination.
There is an ever present abundance of individual virtuosity amongst Flook’s four members, but there is also something wholly unique when this iconic Anglo-Irish band step on stage together, their playing always an intuitive, almost symbiotic, exchange between the various flutes, whistles, frets and skins. An evening and a celebration you don’t want to miss out on.
‘An absolute powerhouse, a flute and whistle-led, eight-legged jig machine. Jigs, reels and waltzes whirl by. Each as glorious as the last, the musicianship as extraordinary, the mood never any less than euphoric’ – Fatea Magazine Live Review, November 2023
‘Nothing short of transcendent… No other band sound like Flook and the new material has pushed them to new, exhilarating heights’ – Songlines Magazine , July 2019
‘Never have I seen so many people so completely and utterly spellbound…the most magical of experiences’ – The Irish Post
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
Echoes of Pentangle, Jethro Tull, and new Celtic sounds performed on a vast array of different instruments and covering five critically acclaimed albums. Their captivating live performances and exceptional musicianship has made them a must-see act.
Ranagri will play Westbourne Community Hall (AKA Westbourne Club, River Street, Westbourne, near Emsworth, PO10 8TG) on Thursday 20th November.
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.
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.
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.
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
