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McGoldrick, McCusker, & Doyle

Does Folk Music arguably get better than when these 3 luminaries get together onstage ?
Michael McGoldrick – the English master of flutes, whistles, and Uillean pipes – is joined by his mates the renowned Scottish fiddler John McCusker and exceptional Irish guitarist/vocalist John Doyle to play blistering tunes, tear-jerking slow airs, and they add a liberal dose of humour – 3 mates on stage with awesome empathy in a room perfect for their music. They may look sombre but their music certainly isn’t !

McGoldrick, McCusker, & Doyle
Thursday 4th March
Chichester Assembly Rooms, The Council House, North Street, Chichester, PO19 1LQ
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

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“Traditional music at it’s most graceful, ingenious and jaw dropping” – The Guardian

McGoldrick, McCusker & Doyle are one of the most important and sought-after collaborations in contemporary Celtic music … a true folk supergroup whose influence reaches far beyond the tradition.

Individually, they are world-renowned artists; together, they form a trio whose instinctive interplay, decades-deep friendship and effortless command of their craft have made them a benchmark for modern folk musicianship.

Between them, Michael McGoldrick (flute, uilleann pipes, whistles), John McCusker (fiddle, whistles, harmonium) and John Doyle (vocals, guitar, bouzouki, mandola) have helped shape the sound of the genre for more than three decades. Their collective CV tells its own story: founding members of era-defining bands, vital members of the Transatlantic Sessions house band, BBC Folk Award winners, composers, producers, and solo artists whose fingerprints can be found across the most influential traditional and roots recordings of the last generation.

What elevates the trio even further is the extraordinary regard they command from their peers. As a collective, they are highly sought after for guest appearances and studio collaborations, bringing their unmistakable musical intelligence to projects across genres. Their playing features on work by artists such as Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler, Paul Weller, Steve Martin, Joan Baez, David Gilmour, Eddi Reader, Julie Folwis to name but a few – testament to the respect they hold at the highest levels of the music world. When McGoldrick, McCusker & Doyle appear on a record, it signals authenticity, mastery, and a deep-rooted connection to the heart of the tradition.

Their own trio work is equally acclaimed. From the instinctive brilliance of their first studio album The Wishing Tree to the electrifying spontaneity of their live concerts, they create music that feels both timeless and urgently alive. Sets unfold like conversations … tunes and songs passed back and forth with ease, humour, precision and playfulness … the kind of musical telepathy that can only come from growing up, travelling and playing together for most of their lives.

Bridging the Irish and Scottish traditions with grace and innovation, McGoldrick, McCusker & Doyle have become a defining ensemble of their generation. Their performances are celebrated as masterclasses in ensemble playing, rich in tradition yet always forward-looking. Audiences and critics alike praise their shows as moments of musical alchemy: spontaneous, moving, and thrillingly alive.

As individuals they are exceptional; as a trio, they are iconic.

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As always, we’ll have our licensed bar serving delicious beers from Langham Brewery as well as wines, local cider, nonalcoholic beers, & soft drinks

WemsFest is an entirely volunteer-run community interest company.

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.

Genticorum

Popular and award-winning Montréal-based trio who have been one of the leading lights in Québecois music for more than 20 years. If you enjoy Le Vent du Nord then you’ll love Genticorum!

Genticorum
Saturday 28th November
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

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In French, to describe the chemistry between people, you say they have atomes crochus — literally, that their atoms are interlaced. There’s no better way to talk about Genticorum.

The trio’s connection is magnetic. In the filigree of their arrangements, seamlessly melding fiddle, flute, accordion, guitar, foot percussion, and voices, there’s always an organic spark: At its root, this is social music, and audiences can’t help but feel the pleasure these three musicians get from playing together.

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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

Ríoghnach Connolly & Honeyfeet

Super excited for this gig featuring one of the greatest voices on the planet PLUS Emsworth’s own Biff Roxby on trombone!

🎶 Ríoghnach Connolly & Honeyfeet 🎵
🗓️ Friday 20th November
📍 Westbourne Community Hall (AKA Westbourne Club), River Street, Westbourne, West Sussex, PO10 8TG
🕗 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

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Rioghnach Connolly & Honeyfeet move with ease and confidence between swampy jazz, raucous brass, fractured funk, blues balladry, and gorgeous folkloric textures. Connolly’s powerhouse vocals lead the charge, blending mischief, protest and vulnerability into something fiercely human and utterly live. Honeyfeet holds all of this together with a groove and a commitment to musical freedom. The lineup consists of Lorien Garth Edwards on bass, Ellis Davies on guitar, John Ellis on keyboards, Biff Roxby on brass, and Phill Howley on drums, forming a fluid and fearless musical unit.

At the heart of Ríoghnach Connolly & Honeyfeet is the indomitable Ríoghnach Connolly, whose voice is equal parts fierce, tender and fearless, connecting ancestral song traditions with contemporary storytelling. She has won the RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Award for Best Folk Singer and BBC Radio 2’s Folk Singer of the Year. In early 2025, she joined Annie Lennox on stage at the Royal Albert Hall for “Sisters: Annie Lennox and Friends,” a landmark concert that raised funds for The Circle, Lennox’s global feminist organisation. Sharing the bill with artists including Celeste and Nadine Shah, Connolly brought her singular presence to a night that celebrated the transformative power of music and collective voice.

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As always, we’ll have our licensed bar serving delicious beers from Langham Brewery 🍻 as well as wines, local cider, nonalcoholic beers, & soft drinks

WemsFest is an entirely volunteer-run community interest company. 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 adwesmfest@gmail.com or 07802 500 050 and we will do our very best to accommodate you so that you are comfortable.

Birdvox – with support from Emily Barden! (note 7pm start)

Birdvox – with support from Emily Barden! 🎵

Thursday 5th November

Westbourne Community Hall (AKA Westbourne Club), River Street, Westbourne, PO10 8TG

Doors open 7pm for a 7.30 show (Emily Barden at 7.30, Birdvox at 8.30), 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

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Birdvox is an exciting new electro-folk band born from a mutual love of birds, harmonies and kitchen discos. Together they embrace energetic, shapeshifting synthesis and the joy of vocal interplay. Expect velvet harmonies, considered lyrical stylings and lively bespoke beats.

Birdvox comprises four established, multi-tasking artist-producers:
– Sarah Hayes (vocals, flute, synths, programming)
– Charlotte Printer (vocals, bass)
– Jenny Sturgeon (vocals, guitar, synths, sampling)
– Inge Thomson (vocals, accordion, electronica, beats)

We saw them perform at Showcase Scotland at Celtic Connections this January and were very impressed, can’t wait to hear their debut album dropping in September!

Emily Barden needs no introduction to our audience! She is a composer, songwriter, choral director and workshop leader – and is known to (and beloved by) many as the Director of our WemsFest Surtierra Touring Project Choir. Emily works with many Arts Organisations, Music Hubs and schools. She specialises in co-creating songs and original work with young people in group settings as well as leading massed singing events across all age groups. Recent commissions include the Philharmonia Orchestra, Benedetti Foundation, Sing Up, Britten Pears Arts, & Portsmouth Music Hub

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WemsFest is an entirely volunteer-led community interest company.

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

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.

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

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-songwriter Anouska Assisi blends 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.

The East Pointers (support from Anouska Assisi) will play Room 12 (20-23 Southgate, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 1ES) on Monday 26th January

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

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 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 for Cardiac Risk in the Young 💪🏽❤️💪🏽- please help us support this vital charity, in memory of Koady Chaisson who is deeply missed on stage!

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

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

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

Ashley Campbell

The daughter of the late Glen Campbell and an accomplished banjo-player, and vocalist, Ashley is touring, with her band, to promote her third album.

Ashley Campbell will play Westbourne Community Hall (AKA Westbourne Club, River Street, Westbourne, near Emsworth, PO10 8TG) on Thursday 13th 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.

Tickets available now at Bookends and Harbour Records and online at www.WeGotTickets.com/WemsFest

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.