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Maroon Town, and DJ Rob Moore – WemsFest’s holiday party!

A night for filling the dance floor and pushing all doubts and worries to the back of your mind. Come celebrate the season of giving with us – we promise to give you a good time!

Maroon Town, and DJ Rob Moore – WemsFest’s holiday party!
Friday 11th December
Westbourne Community Hall (AKA Westbourne Club), River Street, Westbourne, West Sussex, PO10 8TG
Doors open 7.30 for an 8pm show, unreserved seating with room for dancing
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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Ska-reggae-mento music from a band who have become firm favourites among WemsFest audiences. Maroon Town have played for us more times than we can remember and we love ending the year on a high with them

DJ Rob Moore knows his reggae and will be getting the party going right from the start and until 11.30. Free mince pies, with mulled wine on the menu.

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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.

Birdvox

Birdvox

Thursday 5th November

Westbourne Community Hall (AKA Westbourne Club), River Street, Westbourne, 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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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!

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Birdvox will play Westbourne Community Hall (AKA Westbourne Club), River Street, Westbourne (near Emsworth), West Sussex, PO10 8TH on Thursday 5th 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

All profits from bar and ticket sales are reinvested into our local community

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.

Gigspanner Big Band

Gigspanner Big Band
Weds 15th April 8pm
St James Church, Emsworth, Hampshire, PO10 7DP

🎫 Tickets on sale now at Bookends and Harbour Records in Emsworth village, at The Westbourne Cafe in Westbourne Village, and online at https://wegottickets.com/WemsFest

“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)

👇wegottickets.com/gigspanner WemsFest

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 Langham Brewery beers, 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

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

Maroon Town, with DJ Rob Moore – Celebrating WemsFest’s 15th birthday!

What a Christmas Party this is going to be !

After last year’s ‘unfortunate mix-up’ we’re delighted to welcome back the band who bring smiles to everyone’s faces and fill the dance floor with joyously uplifting reggae/ska music. DJ Rob Moore will keep the party going !

Early booking advised. Same ticket prices as 2024. Licensed Bar helps support WemsFest.

WemsFest is 15 years old! And what better way to celebrate than to bring some of our favourites back to Westbourne?!

That’s right, Maroon Town’s back!

Expect a blistering night on the dance floor with Deuan and all the gang playing the best original ska, reggae, rap, and dub to get you out of your seat and feeling the beat

Maroon Town are:

Lenval Brown, Sanjaie James, Deuan German, Rajan Datar, Andres Pellegrino, Simon Finch, Aaron Liddard, James Lawrence, & Mindy Juozapavicius

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

Ranagri

Echoes of Pentangle, Jethro Tull, and new Celtic sounds performed on a vast array of different instruments and covering five critically acclaimed albums. Their captivating live performances and exceptional musicianship has made them a must-see act.

Ranagri will play Westbourne Community Hall (AKA Westbourne Club, River Street, Westbourne, near Emsworth, PO10 8TG) on Thursday 20th 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.

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.