Quimantu – The Tree Sings

Quimantu will return to WemsFest in October! (PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGE FROM 14/11 TO 24/10)

Quimantu
Saturday 24th October
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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Reflecting the spirit of the natural world alive within their music – with many instruments made from wood – this special concert celebrates the passing of the generational baton from Chilean musician Mauricio Venegas-Astorga to his daughter Laura as Quimantu’s lead singer.

A repertoire encompassing songwriters and composers across Latin American and English traditions where Victor Jara, Maria Elena Walsh, Mauricio Venegas-Astorga, and Steve Knightley compliment the band’s unique arrangements of western classical music and English traditional songs and tunes.

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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

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.

10th Emsworth Beer, Wine, & Cider Festival

Our 10th Emsworth Beer, Wine, & Cider Festival will be held the weekend of 25th-27th September – you won’t want to miss this milestone anniversary!

10th Emsworth Beer, Wine, & Cider Festival
Friday 25th, Saturday, 26th, & Sunday 27th September
Emsworth Community Centre, North Street, Emsworth, Hampshire, PO10 7DD
Friday 2pm-10.30pm, Saturday 11am-10.30pm, Sunday (free admission) 12pm-4pm
Live music at all sessions
🌯Burrito truck serving hot food at all sessions

There are three sessions:
FRIDAY 25th September – 2pm – 10.30pm – £12.50
SATURDAY 26th September – 11am – 10.30pm – £12.50
SUNDAY 27th September – 12pm – 4pm – FREE ADMISSION with any remaining beers at substantially reduced prices.

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

Tickets include a souvenir glass, programme and your first pint of beer or cider, or glass of wine.

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We will have around 25 delicious cask-conditioned ales from near and far, including interesting local brews and national award winners, along with a number of excellent ciders. We will be joined by independent wine merchant, Bush Vines, who will be providing a range of wines by the glass. Please note we do not stock ales which you will find in the Emsworth area – we source from as far afield as Scotland’s Northern Isles!

Local musicians will perform at all sessions. The Westbourne Cafe‘s Top Burrito van will be parked on site for the weekend to ensure that no one goes hungry!

All profits from ticket and bar sales go towards supporting WemsFest (an entirely volunteer-run community interest company) to deliver world-class live music at very local venues – in addition to bringing musical workshops into local schools for Black History Month in October!

The Festival is held in the Emsworth Community Centre, a short walk from Emsworth Station and a stone’s throw from the 700 bus route. The Community Centre is at the bottom of North Street, just north of the roundabout, between Emsworth Medical Practice and the Fire Station.

We will have an outdoor seating area, subject to the weather, and an additional large ‘quiet’ room inside where we will show silent films and where you can play cards or board games.

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Why Not Sponsor a Barrel?

If you or your business are interested in sponsoring a barrel for the Festival we’d love to hear from you – please email Mark at adwemsfest@gmail.com. Sponsorship costs only £100; you will receive 4 free tickets for you and your friends and advertising on our promotional material, including the souvenir glasses, and at the event. Most importantly you will be helping to ensure the financial viability of a great local event. Cheers!

An Dannsa Dub

Future dub from Ancient Scotland! Fusing the mystical energy and instruments of traditional Scottish music and Gaelic song to create heavy, meditative driving bass lines of dub music to fill the dance floor. Limited unreserved seating with lots of room for dancing. (PLEASE NOTE VENUE CHANGE FROM CHICHESTER TO WESTBOURNE)

An Dannsa Dub
Friday 11th September
Westbourne Community Hall (AKA Westbourne Club), River Street, Westbourne (near Emsworth), West Sussex, PO10 8TG
Doors open 7.30 for an 8pm show, limited unreserved seating with room for dancing
Licensed bar

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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Formed in 2020, An Dannsa Dub (led by Tom Spirals and Euan McLaughlin) have been making waves. Twice nominated for Live Act of the Year at the Scots Trad Awards as well as the ’23 SAMAs, the band has garnered critical acclaim for their ability to seamlessly blend the mystical sounds of Gaelic song and traditional Scottish instruments with the pulsating rhythms and deep basslines of digital dub.

An Dannsa Dub have electrified crowds across the UK festival circuit and beyond, including Glastonbury Festival, Celtic Connections, Dubcamp (France), and Goa Sunsplash (India). Their distinctive sound, fueled by top-tier musicians, continues to captivate audiences worldwide.

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As always, we’ll have a licensed bar serving Langham Brewery 🍻 as well as wine, local cider, and a range of non alcoholic 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

Lennie Gallant & Band

Lennie Gallant has just been named 2026 Canadian Folk Music Awards Solo Artist of The Year and we are so excited he’ll be making a stop at WemsFest this autumn!

Lennie Gallant & Band
Thursday 3rd September
Westbourne Community Hall (AKA Westbourne Club), River Street, Westbourne, West Sussex, PO10 8TG
Doors open 7.30 for an 8pm show
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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Lennie Gallant, an acclaimed East Coast songwriter with sixteen albums and numerous awards, has recently released his new album, Shelter From the Storms, which has received rave reviews and sold out shows across Canada. The album reflects on the turbulent times we live in while celebrating the human ability to navigate through hardship with community, love and laughter.

A rare UK show for one of Canada’s most revered songwriters and musicians. With over 16 albums to his credit and numerous music industry awards this is a very rare opportunity to see and hear one of Canada’s greatest up close and personal.

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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

Singing workshop with Windborne

An all-day (10am-4pm) singing workshop in-person with Windborne!

What: Singing workshop with Windborne (acclaimed singing quartet from the USA)
When: Saturday 1st August 10am-4pm (including a lunch break)
Where: Chichester New Park Centre (Old Dojo Room), PO19 7XY
Cost: £50
Bring: Packed lunch/snacks or money for lunch in Chichester, a water bottle, and a mug (if you’d like to make a cuppa)
Requirements: A love of singing and willingness to make musical fun!

Tickets for this event are available online only here, or via bank transfer (pay in full or 2 x £25 installments) – please email hellowemsfest@gmail.com for bank details

Windborne offer Old Songs, Bold Harmony, and a Profound Vocal Experience. We are delighted that they’ll be spending a day with WemsFest to get us singing together!

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About the workshop:
This all-day workshop will take place in the heart of Chichester, at the New Park Community Centre (Old Dojo Room). Self-serve tea and coffee will be available throughout the day in the small kitchen next to the Old Dojo Room. There will be a lunch break where singers can eat a packed lunch in the Old Dojo Room, walk across the street to the park for some fresh air, or take a short (5-10 minutes) wander to one of Chichester’s many shops or cafes to purchase lunch.

There will be chairs for everyone in the Old Dojo Room, but we expect Windborne will get you up and moving at points! Please let us know at adwemsfest@gmail.com if you have any accessibility requirements.

About the singing:
“The most exciting vocal group in a generation,” Windborne draw on deep roots in vocal harmony traditions while bringing old songs vividly into the present. Known for innovative arrangements, their harmonies are bold, surprising, and richly expressive.

Specializing in close harmony singing, the ensemble moves effortlessly between dramatically different styles of traditional music. Their musical knowledge spans many continents and cultures, while remaining firmly grounded in American folk singing traditions.

In this workshop, they will teach songs from their American roots, including songs of protest and freedom from their albums To Warm the Winter Hearth and Song on the Times, alongside folk songs gathered during their travels. Open to everyone, the workshop is taught entirely by ear by Jeremy Carter-Gordon, Lynn Rowan, Will Rowan, and Lauren Breunig.

About the band:
With more than 20 years spent studying polyphonic music around the world, Lauren Breunig, Jeremy Carter-Gordon, Lynn Rowan, and Will Rowan bring vibrant energy to the stage and a blend of voices shaped by decades of friendship and dedicated practice.

Their performances guide audiences across continents and centuries, illuminating the remarkable power and variety of the human voice. Alongside the music, the singers share stories behind the songs and offer insight into the traditions and styles they perform, creating an experience that is both entertaining and deeply engaging.

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

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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.

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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

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

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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 !

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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

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

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“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

Bassekou Kouyate & Amy Sacko

“Ngoni virtuoso Bassekou Kouyate can make notes bend like light rays in the desert heat.” – Time Out magazine

Bassekou Kouyate is one of the true masters of the ngoni, an ancient traditional lute found throughout West Africa. He is a virtuoso, innovator, stronghold of tradition all at the same time. This is a rare opportunity to see and hear one of Africa’s most celebrated musicians in a very intimate environment. This WemsFest show is presented in association with our friends African Night Fever.

From Mali, legendary musician and ngoni master Bassekou Kouyate tours the UK for the first time as a duo with his wife, the revered griot singer and exceptional vocalist Amy Sacko, whose “voice of spearing urgency, improbable range” has “a power that jolts like electric shocks” (The Sydney Morning Herald). After the release of Djudjon, L’Oiseau de Garana (2024) their first chart-topping album together as a duo which connects past and present, this will be a unique, intimate and extraordinary opportunity to experience a performance that reaches to the very heart of Mali – deeply personal, expressive, chamber-style that promises a rare closeness between artists and audience, a space where each note and lyric resonates deeply.

“a genius and living proof that the blues comes from Mali” – Taj Mahal on Bassekou Kouyate

“the Tina Turner of Mali” – MOJO on Amy Sacko

Bassekou has collaborated with many musicians in and outside of Mali: He has shared the stages with the likes of Youssou N‘Dour, Ali Farka Toure, Bela Fleck, The Kronos Quartet, Taj Mahal, Eliades Ochoa, Damon Albarn, Michael League… He was one of the key musicians on Ali Farka Toure’s posthumous album ‘Savane’ which was released July 2006, played in the Symmetric trio alongside Toumani Diabate (kora) and was part of Taj Mahal’s ‘Kulanjan’ project. He won several BBC Awards for his celebrated debut album ‘Segu Blue’ (Outhere Records). Was Grammy nominated for the follow up ‘I speak fula’ (Outhere Records) and played hundreds of concerts all over the globe, sharing the stage with musicians from Paul McCartney to John Paul Jones, Bono & many many others …

Bassekou Kouyate & Amy Sacko will play The Old Malthouse (AKA Chidham Village Hall, Main Road, Chidham, West Sussex, PO18 8TP) on Saturday 23rd 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

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