BloggerRhythm: Wemsfest (Catching Live Music + Workshop Coincidences)

Wemsfest

Friday February 9th 2024

A week or so ago I told you about a songwriting workshop I went to. Quite a lot came up whilst I was there, if you’re interested, and too lazy to scroll, you can jump to it here:

https://bloggerrhythm5.blogspot.com/2024/02/a-songwriting-starter-heres-idea.html

Anyway, something under discussion that I didn’t mention before, was that one of the other workshoppers asked where they could actually see some folk music, and I said “Wemsfest”.... Now folk music is a pretty broad topic and I’d be remiss not to mention The South Downs Music Festival (Folk Festival as was) that runs in Bognor every September. They regularly book me to play and teach, and it’s very much appreciated….. but the lady was keen to begin her live music adventure now, and I knew Wemsfest put on events all year long.

It was a small group but I was surprised nobody had even heard the Wemsfest name, so clearly that’s something that needs to be put right. If you peruse their website, you’ll see they have a shed load of stuff on this year for all tastes, not just folk. I asked some friends, (Mr. & Mrs K. - they of the vaguely 70’s disco stable block, if you remember them) whom I know volunteer at Wemsfest events for a bit of perspective or perhaps some festival background. They put me in touch with Mark, one of the organisers, who graciously replied to my email by return…so…

'WemsFest' is a portmanteau of Westbourne and Emsworth and was the result of a chance conversation in The Stags Head (Westbourne) some 14 years ago and has grown from being an annual arts festival to a year-round programme of events which along the way has raised thousands of pounds for local charities. The festival has spawned a myriad of other events and activities engaging with all sections of the community in and around Emsworth, including, amongst others, The Emsworth Beer, Cider & Wine Festival and The Emsworth Blues Festival.

Upcoming Events in the next few weeks...

17/02 Soul Train DJ Disco Night

Westbourne Community Hall

23/02 Brighde Chaimbeul, Radio 2 award winning celtic smallpipes

The Old Malthouse, Chidham

29/02 McGoldrick, McCusker & Doyle, Flute, fiddle, song & guitar

The Lens Studio, Portsmouth Guildhall

02/03 Ian Siegal Berry, 3x British Blues Awards Acoustic Artist of the year

The Old Malthouse, Chidham

Tickets and full 2024 listing at www.wemsfest.com/events

So, consider yourself educated, or better still, get online and get yourself some tickets. Go and see something you love, or something you’ve never heard before. It’s all good.

Briefly then, to complete the circle, back to the songwriting workshop. Remember the homework we were set? (bet you wish you’d read the other blog now eh? Never mind…) I chose the Kentish version of a folk song called ‘Bold General Wolfe’ I found on a useful blog called ‘A Folk Song A Day’. In researching it I found a cool version of the song my acclaimed guitarist Martin Simpson….. And guess where you can catch Martin Simpson this year???

Yep. Wemsfest. In the Lens Studio at Portsmouth Guildhall on March 17th. Get your tickets here : https://www.wemsfest.com/event/martin-simpson-2/