Afrobeat Experience with Dele Sosimi Quintet (Hastings)
Dele Sosimi is a prominent figure in the Global Afrobeat music scene, known for his dynamic contributions. His musical journey commenced when he became a part of Fela Kuti’s Egypt 80 band, taking up the keyboard from 1979 to 1986 and eventually becoming the music director from 1984 to 1986.
Fostering collaborations with an array of musicians, establishing himself as thriving artist, musicians with a versatile approach to the modern Afrobeat.
He has revolutionized the new sounds with his London life infused with the original roots of the Lagos Afrobeats rhythms with raw horns and energetic percussions intertwined with the soaring voices and melodies.
This party promises to uplift the spirits and harmonise the soul for a feel-good factor.
Come ready to DANCE
Dele Sosimi Quintet will play The White Rock Theatre (Hastings, TN34 1JX) on Thursday 23rd April
Doors open 7.30pm for an 8pm show.
Unreserved seating, licensed bar
“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
Michael Daves & Jacob Jolliff
Top-Notch Bluegrass at WemsFest!
Michael Daves & Jacob Jolliff will play The Barn at Cobnor Point (Chidham, near Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 8TE) on Saturday 11th April
Bluegrass stars Michael Daves and Jacob Jolliff have just released a new duo album, We Like Jim & Jesse! (Wild Geranium Records), honouring the legendary Jim & Jesse and the Virginia Boys – one of the longest-running and most innovative brother duets in bluegrass history – by blending classic 1950s bluegrass styles with the duo’s signature high-energy improvisation and harmonies.
What happens when a New York “leading light” meets one of the country’s most elite mandolinists? We are incredibly excited to host Michael Daves and Jacob Jolliff!
🗽 Michael Daves: Described by the New York Times as a “leading light of the NYC bluegrass scene,” this Grammy nominee has shared the stage with icons like Chris Thile and Tony Trischka. His style is gritty, soulful, and perfectly balances the “high lonesome” sound with a modern edge.
✨ Jacob Jolliff: One of the most notable contemporary mandolinists in the world today. Whether touring with Béla Fleck or the Yonder Mountain String Band, Jacob’s technical skill and improvisational genius put him in a league of his own.
Heading to the show? Here is everything else 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
The Mark Hummel Trio – with Bob Hall & Dave Peabody (SOLD OUT)
Mark Hummel is one of the premier blues harmonica players of his generation. He is a multi-award winning performer and recording artist, as well as a nominated author.
In the company of 2 great stalwarts of the British blues scene:
Bob Hall on piano – he cut his teeth with Alexis Korner, Peter Green, Charlie Watts, and, of course Savoy Brown.
Dave Peabody on guitar – awarded UK Acoustic Blues Artist of the Year on 3 occasions and highly respected for his work with Honey Boy Edwards, and Charlie Musselwhite.
In short – a fabulous evening of blues in a very atmospheric venue.
The Mark Hummel Trio will play The Havana, Chichester, PO19 1PH for an evening show at 8pm on Thursday 26th March.
Doors open 7.30pm for an 8pm show.
Unreserved seating
The Havana’s licensed bar, cosy seating, and brilliant sound system make for a very enjoyable musical experience!
All profits from 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. Please note however that unfortunately this venue is not wheelchair accessible.
Dele Sosismi is a prominent figure in the Global Afrobeat music scene, known for his dynamic contributions. His musical journey commenced when he became a part of Fela Kuti’s Egypt 80 band, taking up the keyboard from 1979 to 1986 and eventually becoming the music director from 1984 to 1986.
Fostering collaborations with an array of musicians, establishing himself as thriving artist, musicians with a versatile approach to the modern Afrobeat.
He has revolutionized the new sounds with his London life infused with the original roots of the Lagos Afrobeats rhythms with raw horns and energetic percussions intertwined with the soaring voices and melodies.
This party promises to uplift the spirits and harmonise the soul for a feel-good factor.
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.
Rum Ragged
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.
The Errol Linton Band – 4th Emsworth ‘January Blues’ Festival – in association with Harbour Records
A welcome return to the Emsworth BluesFest for Errol Linton, who has graced our WemsFest stage several times over the years, always impressing us with his true-blue voice, wailing harmonica skills, and brilliant band.
We are delighted to have him closing out our 4th Emsworth ‘January Blues’ Festival! Presented in association with Harbour Records, this weekend festival will feature two nights of ticketed shows at St James Church Parish Hall on Friday and Saturday night, and a Saturday afternoon of FREE performances at various pubs in Emsworth.
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.
Lucca Mae & her band – with support from Michael & Sadie Roach – 4th Emsworth ‘January Blues’ Festival – in association with Harbour Records
Lucca Mae is a rising star on the burgeoning London Soul / Rock‘n’Roll scene. Taking cues from the likes of Sam Cooke, Amy Winehouse & Paolo Nutini, her singing, songwriting, and performance is second to none.
With sold out gigs under her belt in the UK, Australia & Canada, alongside her solo weekly residency at the legendary Marquis Covent Garden, Lucca Mae is well underway and is taking over the UK, one gig at a time.
We are delighted to have her opening up our 4th Emsworth ‘January Blues’ Festival! Presented in association with Harbour Records, this weekend festival will feature two nights of ticketed shows at St James Church Parish Hall on Friday and Saturday night, and a Saturday afternoon of FREE performances at various pubs in Emsworth.
“As far as I’m concerned The London scene is Lucca Mae, Laurie Wright & The Molotovs” ~ Steve White (Paul Weller/Style Council drummer)
“Outstanding, I want to play drums on her album.” ~ (Alan White – Oasis drummer)
“She’s got a beautiful voice… tell her to holler when she comes out to LA” ~ Tom Brenneck, Dunham Records
Lucca Mae – with support from Michael & Sadie Roach – will play St James Church Parish Hall (20A Church Path, Emsworth, Hampshire, PO10 7DP) on Friday 16th 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.
Tickets on sale now via White Rock Theatre Box Office
as well as wines, local cider, nonalcoholic beers, and soft drinks
