Home » Scottish music

Blazin’ Fiddles

The Blazers are comin’ back!

Blazin’ Fiddles
Tuesday 17th November
St James Church, Church Path, Emsworth, Hampshire, PO10 7DP
Doors open 7.30 for an 8pm show, unreserved seating
Licensed bar serving Langham Brewery

Tickets on sale now at Bookends and Harbour Records in Emsworth village, at The Westbourne Cafe in Westbourne Village, & online at www.WeGotTickets.com/WemsFest

…..

From the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, they’ve been literally blazin’ a trail for nearly 30 years. The Blazin’ Fiddles comprise fiddlers Jenna Reid (Shetland), Kristan Harvey (Orkney), Rua Macmillan (Highlands), joined by the driving accompaniment of Angus Lyon (piano), and Anna Massie (guitar).

Multi-award winners as individuals, and collectively, ‘The Blazers’ are the finest exponents of their native Scottish fiddle styles and always up for the craic !

…..

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 and ticket sales are reinvested into our local community, delivering musical workshops in local schools each October in celebration of Black History Month

This year our charity bucket on the bar is supporting relationships & sex education in local schools, delivered by Options Chichester – please do help us support this important work

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.

Ímar

A welcome back to one of the most exciting bands on the Celtic Music scene. The 5 band members of Ímar hold a plethora of All-Ireland and All-Britain music titles, not to mention BBC Folk Awards, BBC Radio Scotland Awards, and more. Boasting members of Mec Lir, Mànran, Talisk, and RURA, this band are a joyful powerhouse of music who never rest on their laurels !

Ímar
Tuesday 3rd November
St James Church, Church Path, Emsworth, Hampshire, PO10 7DP
Doors open 7.30 for an 8pm show, unreserved seating
Licensed bar serving Langham Brewery

Tickets on sale now at Bookends and Harbour Records in Emsworth village, at The Westbourne Cafe in Westbourne Village, & online at www.WeGotTickets.com/WemsFest

…..

Adam Brown (bodhrán), Adam Rhodes (bouzouki), Mohsen Amini (concertina), Ryan Murphy (uilleann pipes) and Tomás Callister (fiddle) share a strong background in Irish music – although only Murphy actually hails from Ireland; Rhodes and Callister are from the Isle of Man, whilst Amini is a Glasgow native, and Brown originally from Suffolk – and it is these foundations which underpin many of Ímar’s distinctive qualities, in both instrumentation and material.

The band’s unmistakable synergy centers on the overlapping cultural heritage between Scotland, Ireland and the Isle of Man. All three places once shared the same Gaelic language and a similar kinship endures between their musical traditions.

…..

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 and ticket sales are reinvested into our local community, delivering musical workshops in local schools each October in celebration of Black History Month

This year our charity bucket on the bar is supporting relationships & sex education in local schools, delivered by Options Chichester – please do help us support this important work

GNOSS

A welcome return for a band very much at the fore of what’s happening in Scottish folk music. Forward-thinking and hugely engaging, GNOSS are great musicians and wonderfully warm human beings who clearly enjoy performing.

GNOSS
Sunday 21st June
The Old Orchard (AKA Southbourne Village Hall), First Avenue, Southbourne, West Sussex, PO10 8HN
Doors open 7.30 for an 8pm show, unreserved seating
Licensed bar serving Langham Brewery

Tickets on sale now at Bookends and Harbour Records in Emsworth village, at The Westbourne Cafe in Westbourne Village, & online at www.WeGotTickets.com/WemsFest

…..

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.

…..

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 and ticket sales are reinvested into our local community, delivering musical workshops in local schools each October in celebration of Black History Month

This year our charity bucket on the bar is supporting relationships & sex education in local schools, delivered by Options Chichester – please do help us support this important work

TARRAN

TARRAN are an exhilarating contemporary folk group from Glasgow, with roots in both Ireland and New Zealand. We saw them perform at Celtic Connections and we are so excited to be bringing them to WemsFest!

TARRAN
Saturday 13th June
The Old Malthouse AKA Chidham Village Hall, PO18 8TP
Doors open 7.30 for an 8pm show, unreserved seating
Licensed bar serving Langham Brewery

Tickets on sale now at Bookends and Harbour Records in Emsworth village, at The Westbourne Cafe in Westbourne Village, & online at www.WeGotTickets.com/WemsFest

…..

TARRAN are: Sophie Joint (keys), Breanna Wilson (fiddle), Malachy Arnold (harp) and Rory Stark (whistle/bodhran). Using elements of funk, blues and contemporary rhythm, the band create a lively and innovative twist on traditional music. Award-winners and title holders, they’re very much on a rapid rise to the top !

…..

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 and ticket sales are reinvested into our local community, delivering musical workshops in local schools each October in celebration of Black History Month

This year our charity bucket on the bar is supporting relationships & sex education in local schools, delivered by Options Chichester – please do help us support this important work

John McCusker Trio (John McCusker, Sam Kelly, & Toby Shaer)

“

“One of the UK’s most gifted and versatile musicians in any genre, John McCusker is equally in demand as a multi-instrumentalist, producer and composer”. – The Guardian

The John McCusker Trio is led by John McCusker, one of the most revered traditional musicians of his generation. A multi-award-winning fiddle player, producer, and composer, John has been a linchpin of contemporary Celtic music for over three decades.

John is renowned for transcending musical boundaries. Since 2008, he has toured globally in Mark Knopfler’s band, playing iconic venues like Madison Square Garden and the Royal Albert Hall. He has also performed with David Gilmour, Eric Clapton, Paul Weller, and Paolo Nutini. As an influential producer, John has shaped the folk landscape, working with Kris Drever, Kate Rusby, and Eddi Reader, alongside composing for major BBC and film soundtracks. His accolades include BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards Musician of the Year.

He is joined by two of the UK folk circuit’s finest talents. Sam Kelly, a BBC Horizon Award winner and frontman of Sam Kelly & The Lost Boys, is celebrated for his spellbinding voice and genre-blending approach, which has taken him to Glastonbury and stages across Europe.

Completing the trio is Toby Shaer, a virtuoso multi-instrumentalist whose mastery of flutes, whistles, and guitars has made him a premier touring musician for Cara Dillon.

Together, The John McCusker Trio delivers a thrilling combination of instrumental brilliance, heartfelt songs, and unforgettable live energy. Their performances weave a rich tapestry of original compositions and traditional melodies, captivating audiences with warmth, humour, and world-class musical innovation.

The John McCusker Trio will play The Old Orchard (AKA Southbourne Village Hall, First Avenue, Southbourne (near Emsworth), West Sussex, PO10 8HN) on Sunday 7th June

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

Boo Hewerdine & Yvonne Lyon

Yvonne Lyon and Boo Hewerdine‘s new collaboration, ‘Things Found In Books’, is an album of songs written in response to a notice board in Culzean Castle’s secondhand bookshop.

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

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

The Tannahill Weavers

📍 Where: The Old Orchard (Southbourne Village Hall), First Avenue, Southbourne, West Sussex, PO10 8HN

🗓️ When: Sunday 10th May | Doors 7:30pm, on stage at 8 pm | Unreserved seating

🍻 Bar: Local brews from Langham Brewery & more!

Tickets are selling fast! All profits go back into our community. Get yours at Bookends and Harbour Records in Emsworth village, at The Westbourne Cafe in Westbourne Village, and online at https://wegottickets.com/WemsFest

From Paisley pub sessions to the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Join us for an unforgettable night with the legendary Tannahill Weavers.

Expect a high-energy blend of “pure old-time Celtic” soul with the drive of rock and roll. Featuring world-class musicians seen on Outlander and Men in Kilts, this is Scottish folk at its absolute finest. 🎻🔥

Formed during a session in Paisley, Scotland, and named after the town’s historic textile industry and its famed poet laureate, Robert Tannahill, The Tannahill Weavers have forged an international reputation for their signature Celtic sound. By seamlessly blending the grace of traditional melodies with the energy of modern rhythms, they have established themselves as one of the world’s premier Scottish folk ensembles.

Their diverse repertoire spans centuries, offering a rich tapestry of musical storytelling:

High-Octane Instrumentals: Blazing sets that showcase technical mastery.
Topical Songs & Ballads: Original compositions and historic pieces that capture the heart of the Scottish experience.
Lullabies & Lore: Gentle melodies paired with humorous tales of life in the Highlands and beyond.

Over the years the Tannies have been trailblazers for Scottish music, and their tight harmonies and powerful, inventive arrangements have won them fans from beyond the folk and Celtic music scenes. In 2011 the band was inducted into the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame, and in 2018 they released their highly acclaimed 50th Anniversary album Òrach (“Golden” in Gaelic) on award-winning label Compass Records, followed by the well loved Celtic holiday celebration Solstice in 2024. Roy Gullane and Phil Smillie are joined by Iain MacGillivray and Alistair McCulloch – piper and fiddle player Iain is involved in such high profile productions as Outlander and Men in Kilts, and Alistair teaches at the prestigious Royal Conservatoire of Scotland when not on tour.

As they approach their 58th anniversary, the Tannahill Weavers are firmly established as one of the premier groups on the concert stage. From reflective ballads to footstomping reels and jigs, the variety and range of the material they perform is matched only by their enthusiasm and lively Celtic spirits.

“Formed from a Paisley pub session in 1968, seminal trailblazers the Tannahill Weavers now also rank as national treasures.” – Glasgow Celtic Connections

“The music may be pure old time Celtic, but the drive and enthusiasm are akin to straight ahead rock and roll.” – Winnipeg Free Press

“An especially eloquent mixture of the old and the new.” – New York Times

Every penny we make from bar and ticket sales is reinvested directly back into our local community.

Accessibility & Support If you require special assistance or have mobility requirements, please contact us in advance at adwemsfest@gmail.com or 07802 500 050. We are dedicated to ensuring your comfort and will do our very best to accommodate your needs.

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

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.

Tickets available now at Bookends and Harbour Records and online here

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 FARA embark 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.

Tickets available now (and selling fast already!!) at Bookends and Harbour Records and online here

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.