An Easter Update from WemsFest
We've 2 very different shows in
April;
US Bluegrass maestros Jacob Jolliff
(mandolin) and Michael Daves (guitar) are in concert at
Cobnor Barn on Saturday 11 April at 8pm.
It's just one of 2 public shows in the UK following
their teaching week at 'Sore Fingers' and celebrates their
new release 'We Like Jim & Jesse!' which is superb!
At 1pm the same day they play a
short instore at Harbour Records in Emsworth - get there
early!
Four days later (April 15) former
Steeleye Span fiddler Peter Knight brings 'Gigspanner Big
Band' to St. James Church, Emsworth. Last year the band
released 'Turnstone' which has to be one of the best folk
releases of 2025 and was shortlisted for the Folk Album of
the Year Awards.
In itself this is hardly surprising for a band
including John Spiers (Bellowhead), Hannah Martin & Phillip
Henry (Edgelarks), percussionist Sacha Trochet, and
guitarist Roger Flack.
We've enjoyed many memorable shows in this Church and
I'm certain this will be another!
Just as an aside WemsFest has been
leading on the application for Emsworth, Southbourne,
Thorney Island, and Westbourne to become 'UK Town of Culture
2028'. We feel
there's so much culture and history which needs to be told
in a creative and engaging way - and let's face it 'if
you're not in it, you can't win it !'
Already we've had 4 radio stations and a TV station,
plus 3 printed journals report on this and received the
backing of over 40 local organisations.
Future Shows for Your Diary:
May 10: The Tannahill Weavers
May 22: Boo Hewerdine & Yvonne Lyon
May 23: Bassekou Kouyate & Amy
Sacko (MALI)
A Mini-season of Scottish
Musicians!
June 7: John McCusker Trio (John,
Sam Kelly, and Toby Shaer)
June 13: Tarran
June 21: GNOSS
August 9: Barry 'The Fish' Melton
(last ever UK tour for former Country Joe & The Fish
stalwart)
September 3: Lenny Gallant & band
(CANADA)
September 11: An Dannsa Dub (Isle
of Skye)
September 25-27: 10th Emsworth
Beer, Cider & Wine Festival
October 3: Tom Robinson, and Adam
Phillips
October 9: Musa Mboob & Xam Xam
(GAMBIA)
October 22: Chains & Tides Project
October 27: Fairport Convention
October 31 Habib Koite & Sura Susso
(MALI/GAMBIA)
A mini-festival to brighten
November!
November 3: Ímar (SCO)
November 4: El Pony Pisador (ESP)
November 5: Birdvox (SCO)
November 17: Blazin' Fiddles (SCO)
November 27 or 28: Genticorum
(QUEBEC)
December 11: Maroon Town, and DJ
Rob Moore
December 13: The Unthanks
As always your support for our live
music and events is so very much appreciated.
Tickets for all WemsFest events can
be purchased at Bookends or Harbour Records in Emsworth, or
from The Westbourne Cafe.
Also
online (booking fee applies)
Keep watching wemsfest.com or facebook or Instagram for
details!
WemsFest 3rd April.

