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.
XODUS – The Sounds of Marley
Following the popularity and success of Steel Pulse & Strictly UB40, this strong core of seasoned founding musicians have since formed the Bob Marley & The Wailers Tribute Band – XODUS, who are often joined on stage by reggae legend, Steel Pulse founding member/keyboard player & songwriter Selwyn Brown (who spent a significant amount of time touring with Bob Marley & The Wailers, on the same events billing with Steel Pulse back in the 1980s.)
XODUS: The Sounds of Marley will play Westbourne Community Hall (AKA Westbourne Club, River Street, Westbourne, near Emsworth, PO10 8TG) on Friday 30th May
This will be our first show of 2025 in association with our Brighton-based partner African Night Fever and we can’t wait to get in the groove and dance the night away!
Doors open 7.30pm for an 8pm show.
Limited unreserved seating with plenty of room for dancing.
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.
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.
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.
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 South Side Racketeers, and DJ Rob Moore
Blue Beat, Ska but most of all Jamaican RnB will pour out of the speakers for this classic night featuring 80% of self-penned material along with some all-time classics. When you hear this beat you’ll want to move your feet !
The South Side Racketeers were conceived on a stag night about four in the morning sometime in 2004! Four friends with a common love for sixties Blue Beat, Ska, Jamaican RnB and other music decided to form a band incorporating the above influences into their own material. A few choice cover versions including ‘Ali Baba’, ‘Bartender’ and Renegade’ complemented the bed of contemporary sounding but original cuts written by the four.
The Racketeers without doubt are one of Portsmouth’s finest and certainly one of the most popular bands in the area since the early days of ‘Empitfish’, ‘The Caravans’, ‘Six Gun Sound’ an the early 80s. Now a six/seven piece-piece band playing Jamaican RnB, Trad Ska, with lashings of rare Soul, The Racketeers are not a total covers band with 80% of self-penned material. Charismatic to the end with consistently tight and lively performances, The Racketeers can be seen performing in venues across the south of England. The band have their eyes and ears firmly focused on the future. So, when you hear the beat and want to move your feet just dance to the Racketeers and the sun will keep shining!
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.
Doors open 7.30 for an 8pm start – but no admission after 9pm.
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.
Please park considerately.
InOurArea Creative Cafe: An informal gathering to discuss and collaborate on local projects
In 2023, WemsFest launched a new initiative, ‘InOurArea’. We hope that this will be a regular opportunity for thinkers, doers, artists, activists, anyone who has an idea and wants to find local like minds to help discuss and collaborate!
We had a fantastic turnout at our inaugural InOurArea event in November 2023 – loads of connections made and ideas shared. Our second InOurArea event in November 2024 progressed discussion around a number of local topics including the idea of a year-round programme of cultural events in Emsworth.
We want to keep momentum growing amongst locals who are interested to be involved in making Emsworth and the surrounding area an even better place to live! Therefore, the third ‘InOurArea’ Creative Cafewill take place on Sat 8th February from 4-6pm, upstairs at The Crown Inn, Emsworth, PO10 7AW.
Bring an old friend or meet someone new Stay 10 minutes or 2 hours Share your idea or learn about others’
Wine and cheese provided by WemsFest to help lubricate any nervous introductions!
Please RSVP to Mark at adwemsfest@gmail.com so we know how much wine and cheese to order…
Let’s enjoy, discuss, and collaborate!
The Soul Train! with DJs Richard ‘Tricky’ Marsh & Martin Jackson
Back by popular demand! The ‘Express’ steams into town with carriages full of your favourite music.
Richard ‘Tricky’ Marsh and Martin Jackson spin 60s and 70s Soul, R&B, Motown, Stax, Atlantic, Rare Groove, and Northern Soul mainly on vinyl. A night for filling the dance floor !
Tricky’s radio show on The Flash – DAB+ to the Portsmouth area every Friday 7-9pm is one of the most popular on the station. Come out for yet another fantastic evening in Westbourne Community Hall!
Late bar – with G&Ts this time!
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.
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.
Please park considerately.
InOurArea Creative Cafe: An informal gathering to discuss and collaborate on local projects
Last year, WemsFest launched a new initiative, ‘InOurArea’. We hope that this will be a regular opportunity for thinkers, doers, artists, activists, anyone who has an idea and wants to find local like minds to help discuss and collaborate!
We had a fantastic turnout at our inaugural InOurArea event last November – loads of connections made, ideas shared, and projects progressed.
The second ‘InOurArea’ Creative Cafe will take place on Sat 23rd Nov from 4-6pm, upstairs at The Crown Inn, Emsworth, PO10 7AW.
Bring an old friend or meet someone new Stay 10 minutes or 2 hours Share your idea or learn about others’
Wine and cheese provided by WemsFest to help lubricate any nervous introductions! Please RSVP to Mark at adwemsfest@gmail.com so we know how much wine and cheese to order…
Let’s enjoy, discuss, and collaborate!
Irrelevant Elephant & DJ Mark Covell (Special BBC Children In Need event)
Irrelevant Elephant bring their funky dance tunes back to Westbourne following their hugely successful debut last year. DJ Mark Covell will, again, take over where they leave off with a melange of music to keep the dance floor filled until midnight as ‘Disco for Oldies’ takes over.
10% of ticket income and all donations go to BBC Children In Need.
Late bar (no admission after 10pm)
Irrelevant Elephantare a 7-piece jazz funk outfit from our hometown! Featuring a threepiece horn section, keyboards, guitar, drums & bass, offering a selection of jazz, Latin & funk styles, from Donny Hathaway to Brother Strut, their sound is mostly up-tempo & definitely danceable.
DJ Mark Covell is another local whom we are delighted to welcome back to WemsFest, to ensure the lights are flashing, the dance floor is filled, and the party is on. Mark brings an equal passion to DJing as he did to winning an Olympic sailing medal or racing in The America’s Cup. He is as adept at making the dance floor move as he is dynamically DJing and commentating on sporting events around the world.
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.
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.
Please park considerately.
Maroon Town
Maroon Town, whose name is taken from a remote upland community in Jamaica formed by escaped slaves, burst onto the scene in the late 80s with their pioneering fusion of rap, dub, breakbeat, jazz and funk. They have played our WemsFest stage multiple times and every year the audience is left wanting more!
When the London-based multi-racial 8-piece first started out 30 years ago, they were the first ska band to have begun mixing ska and reggae with rap, funk and Latin/cumbia to produce a fresh new world music sound with conscious and uplifting lyrics. Their first album and singles were produced by John Bradbury of the Specials. These recordings propelled the group to get the attention of the international music community and led to extensive touring in Europe, Japan and South America.
A long-standing relationship with the British Council saw Maroon Town perform in over 15 countries from Kosovo to Tajikistan and from Brazil to Brunei playing in theatres, festivals, schools, community centres, universities and even prisons. Their songs have been synched to major Hollywood films and they continue to provide a brilliant stage show!
Still at the cutting edge of creativity their sixth and latest album ‘Freedom Call’ released on the Spanish label ‘Brixton Records’ in 2018 blends conscious reggae, jazz, Big beat ska as well as an up-tempo ska collaboration with renowned Basque Country reggae, rock and ska singer Fermin Muguruza. (Spain, particularly Catalonia and the Basque Country has long been a touring destination for the band)
In 2018 Maroon Town played at Skabour (UK), Boom Town, Freedom Sounds Festival and Querbeat (Germany), the London International Ska Festival and at Foc a la Feixa (Spain – June 23rd) and many other venues. Each month the band run a club night at the legendary Troubadour in London with net profits going to the Alpha Boys School in Jamaica.
The result is a unique musical blend that has hooked fans and audiences from all over the world for over 30 years.
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.
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.
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
Cardiac Risk in the Young 
as well as wines, local cider, nonalcoholic beers, and soft drinks. All profits from bar and ticket sales are reinvested in the local community.
