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.

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.

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 (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.