We are a movement that champions and enables live music in Southampton. We strengthen community pride, support local creativity and develop local grassroots, providing shared cultural experiences. Uniting the city’s communities at our multi-venue music festival, this year taking place on:

Saturday 12th September 2026

Music in the City performers
Music in the City performers
Music in the City performers
Music in the City performers
Music in the City performers
Music in the City performers
Music in the City performers
Music in the City performers
Music in the City performers
Music in the City performers
Music in the City performers
Music in the City performers

Our performers…

Registration to perform this year has now closed. If you would like to join the reserves list please sign up here - we anticipate some cancellations and slots becoming available, but cannot guarantee you a place.

Halliwell

Halliwell

Jack Walker

Jack Walker

Continental Liaison

Continental Liaison

5 Degrees North

5 Degrees North

Diffy Dames

Diffy Dames

Munro

Munro

Strictly Sweetness (y worry cottage)

Strictly Sweetness (y worry cottage)

Waldo Salt

Waldo Salt

Nick Tann and The Whole Family

Nick Tann and The Whole Family

Club Bad

Club Bad

The Static

The Static

Charmtype

Charmtype

Woodfalls band

Woodfalls band

Jaquie Daniels

Jaquie Daniels

DJ JAMES B

DJ JAMES B

Arlo Star

Arlo Star

Mick Gough

Mick Gough

SkunkWorks

SkunkWorks

KSJM

KSJM

FREESPIRITS

FREESPIRITS

The Duskers

The Duskers

Big man with Small guitar

Big man with Small guitar

The Dark Poet

The Dark Poet

WooHabs

WooHabs

Southampton's Greek & Cypriot Dance Group 'Methexis' & 'Nostos' Polyphonic Singing Group

Southampton's Greek & Cypriot Dance Group 'Methexis' & 'Nostos' Polyphonic Singing Group

Milkin' It

Milkin' It

Halibut Jackson  & The Fishy Faces

Halibut Jackson & The Fishy Faces

The Ben Poore Project

The Ben Poore Project

DJ Stevie-C & Kayleigh Strachan Official

DJ Stevie-C & Kayleigh Strachan Official

Westingway

Westingway

Wire -JD

Wire -JD

D'vonti

D'vonti

Twelve Caesars

Twelve Caesars

The Picton Readers Club

The Picton Readers Club

Godless Suns

Godless Suns

Maple Valentine

Maple Valentine

Elie Pembrey

Elie Pembrey

Southampton and Romsey Rock Choir

Southampton and Romsey Rock Choir

Hail

Hail

Dusky Moon

Dusky Moon

The Wildcards

The Wildcards

Voodoo Rays

Voodoo Rays

Greenish

Greenish

Fragile Lucy

Fragile Lucy

Hobb Lane

Hobb Lane

Savoury Tooth Tiger

Savoury Tooth Tiger

Jon Yale

Jon Yale

Jeannie

Jeannie

New Forest Community Tango Orchestra

New Forest Community Tango Orchestra

Echo Mask

Echo Mask

ALLEY the band

ALLEY the band

Citizen Perez

Citizen Perez

Mango In Euphoria

Mango In Euphoria

Shiversa

Shiversa

Totton Ukulele Band

Totton Ukulele Band

this occasional society

this occasional society

Kase the Myth

Kase the Myth

Naty Giachino

Naty Giachino

The Alternates

The Alternates

desperateBeauty

desperateBeauty

Broken Links

Broken Links

Arboresque

Arboresque

Achoiring Voices

Achoiring Voices

Voice FM

Voice FM

Kalopsia

Kalopsia

October Some When

October Some When

VALLEYBOYZERO

VALLEYBOYZERO

Giles Halski

Giles Halski

Southampton Salty Sea Dogs

Southampton Salty Sea Dogs

Staff Discount

Staff Discount

Kieran Snell

Kieran Snell

Southampton Ukulele Jam

Southampton Ukulele Jam

Dawn of Dystopia

Dawn of Dystopia

Zen Juddhism

Zen Juddhism

Rosie Hollins

Rosie Hollins

The Tipsy Gypsies

The Tipsy Gypsies

JACKPUDDING

JACKPUDDING

Zombie’ites

Zombie’ites

Arji  Manuelpillai

Arji Manuelpillai

Jim Pearson

Jim Pearson

The Monday Grooves

The Monday Grooves

The Howlin' Blackouts

The Howlin' Blackouts

9 Lives

9 Lives

Hük

Hük

The Phantom Majors

The Phantom Majors

JJCornick

JJCornick

Romsey Shanty Crew

Romsey Shanty Crew

Rogue Awakening

Rogue Awakening

Accrington Stanley

Accrington Stanley

Basharan

Basharan

The Red Stars

The Red Stars

Eternal Gloom

Eternal Gloom

Will Walton

Will Walton

NoteWorthy

NoteWorthy

Dompap

Dompap

Bad Alchemy

Bad Alchemy

Ken Wood and the Mixers

Ken Wood and the Mixers

Lyla Skyrim

Lyla Skyrim

Carl Zed

Carl Zed

Shallow Music

Shallow Music

Jonny Sansom

Jonny Sansom

Ukofonics

Ukofonics

Canis Arboris

Canis Arboris

Eat Your Greens

Eat Your Greens

Andy White Poetry

Andy White Poetry

Hunch Power

Hunch Power

Psychedelic Skies

Psychedelic Skies

MoniQ

MoniQ

Laurie Bolger

Laurie Bolger

Q Shaq

Q Shaq

Hanna Gibbons

Hanna Gibbons

Dan O'Farrell & The Difference Engine

Dan O'Farrell & The Difference Engine

The Plummers

The Plummers

Vermin

Vermin

Disco Lizards

Disco Lizards

Margarita Sleepover

Margarita Sleepover

Scarlett

Scarlett

NIKHITA

NIKHITA

The Elephant Cage

The Elephant Cage

PB Squared

PB Squared

Innovator

Innovator

Pacuk Band

Pacuk Band

Far Solar

Far Solar

Nia Nicholls

Nia Nicholls

Bees Knees

Bees Knees

Space Ace Robot

Space Ace Robot

Malcolm Carlo

Malcolm Carlo

Spindrift

Spindrift

G-MAN 777

G-MAN 777

Xènia Páez

Xènia Páez

Southside Rhythm & Blues Band

Southside Rhythm & Blues Band

Ronk Torp

Ronk Torp

Lounge Room Lizards

Lounge Room Lizards

Andrew Buchanan

Andrew Buchanan

Riverside Concert Wind Band

Riverside Concert Wind Band

Lachlan Horne

Lachlan Horne

Eva Nicole

Eva Nicole

Simply Sax  - Kenny Garrick

Simply Sax - Kenny Garrick

Goffmog

Goffmog

Puddleglum

Puddleglum

Madison Square

Madison Square

Angel Jones

Angel Jones

Neko Roshi

Neko Roshi

The  Restless Coast

The Restless Coast

Rosie jay

Rosie jay

Noise Factory United

Noise Factory United

Ian Kimber

Ian Kimber

Dj Sarah Nash

Dj Sarah Nash

RELLiX

RELLiX

RODI

RODI

Igloo Hearts

Igloo Hearts

Alexander Bithell

Alexander Bithell

Tired Less

Tired Less

St Andrews Pipe Band

St Andrews Pipe Band

The Latest

The Latest

Cherry Go Steady

Cherry Go Steady

Herleen Kaur Khalsa

Herleen Kaur Khalsa

Roger Chantler

Roger Chantler

Emerson

Emerson

Bisola

Bisola

Poetry from the Forward Prizes

Poetry from the Forward Prizes

Ironhide

Ironhide

Aoife Scully

Aoife Scully

Hydeout

Hydeout

The Sound Crew

The Sound Crew

Colour of Heartache

Colour of Heartache

City of Southampton (Albion) Band

City of Southampton (Albion) Band

Ocean Harmony

Ocean Harmony

Stuart Evans

Stuart Evans

Adam Kammerling

Adam Kammerling

OC Thomas

OC Thomas

ItsPetre

ItsPetre

Mike and the Mojitos

Mike and the Mojitos

160

160

Steve Weston

Steve Weston

The Salamanders

The Salamanders

RUBY

RUBY

Xionic

Xionic

The Halliwells

The Halliwells

The Outsiders

The Outsiders

Kinesis 4

Kinesis 4

Madams Last Discovery

Madams Last Discovery

Simon Maggs & People Like Us (Acoustic)

Simon Maggs & People Like Us (Acoustic)

Bella Cameron

Bella Cameron

Interesting Wallpaper

Interesting Wallpaper

GaYeon Lee

GaYeon Lee

Guilty Pleasure

Guilty Pleasure

Theresa Lola

Theresa Lola

Elemci

Elemci

Oscar Meades

Oscar Meades

Broadsheet Speak

Broadsheet Speak

Jax Leonard

Jax Leonard

Arzenic

Arzenic

Mahoosive

Mahoosive

Dirty Rotten Scoundrel

Dirty Rotten Scoundrel

The Pop Tarts

The Pop Tarts

Beardos and Weirdos

Beardos and Weirdos

Flipside

Flipside

Ryan Watts

Ryan Watts

Kat Hutchings Yoga

Kat Hutchings Yoga

The Postmen

The Postmen

Troy Ellis & his Hail Jamaica Band

Troy Ellis & his Hail Jamaica Band

Slap the Willow

Slap the Willow

Gig Night

Gig Night

Mariano Korman

Mariano Korman

Kindred Found

Kindred Found

Jonathan Klein

Jonathan Klein

Alfie Ingram

Alfie Ingram

Batala Portsmouth

Batala Portsmouth

Reverence Sound

Reverence Sound

Sofia Gillani

Sofia Gillani

Eric Walker

Eric Walker

Betterphor

Betterphor

Days of Speed

Days of Speed

Lost without cause

Lost without cause

Drew Mason

Drew Mason

SKAM

SKAM

The Surge

The Surge

Creative Sparks: Poetry Workshop

Creative Sparks: Poetry Workshop

International Jet Set

International Jet Set

The Slack 5

The Slack 5

Adarna May Exist

Adarna May Exist

Mr Moonbeam (Conrad Barr)

Mr Moonbeam (Conrad Barr)

Sculpt

Sculpt

Ibz & Da Goats

Ibz & Da Goats

Geoff Williams

Geoff Williams

Nory-J

Nory-J

Cat Elliott

Cat Elliott

Nàila

Nàila

Greeny & the Voyagers

Greeny & the Voyagers

The Black Bear Killing Spree

The Black Bear Killing Spree

Michael Devaux

Michael Devaux

Silvermon

Silvermon

Uke Box Glory

Uke Box Glory

The Surroyal

The Surroyal

Ekoweko

Ekoweko

Haeze

Haeze

PG Trips

PG Trips

Silent Disco King

Silent Disco King

The Long Shorts

The Long Shorts

Fate  of the Magpie

Fate of the Magpie

DJ_MAJOR

DJ_MAJOR

WOOHABS

WOOHABS

He Fired First

He Fired First

Ben Flournoy

Ben Flournoy

Vacant Shores

Vacant Shores

GABRIELA

GABRIELA

The Zone

The Zone

Vexmantra

Vexmantra

The Flipside Society

The Flipside Society

Redz Man

Redz Man

Freestone

Freestone

Ekowe (Acoustic)

Ekowe (Acoustic)

DJ Drive

DJ Drive

Chicago 9 Rhythm & Blues Band

Chicago 9 Rhythm & Blues Band

Sean Bertram

Sean Bertram

Roxy's Revenge

Roxy's Revenge

Lucy RS Must c

Lucy RS Must c

Way Down South

Way Down South

RENEGADE ROSE

RENEGADE ROSE

The Bob Squad

The Bob Squad

Amie Lou Shaw

Amie Lou Shaw

McGriff

McGriff

Velickaite Sisters

Velickaite Sisters

Traitors

Traitors

Origin

Origin

The Cali Cartel from Hell

The Cali Cartel from Hell

Love Is Enough

Love Is Enough

Southampton & Isle of Wight Music Rising Stars

Southampton & Isle of Wight Music Rising Stars

Mai

Mai

Oddball Savage

Oddball Savage

Pianoman Justie

Pianoman Justie

Ajay Sahota

Ajay Sahota

NJT

NJT

Brian Hooper

Brian Hooper

Angling For Farthings

Angling For Farthings

The Sky at Night

The Sky at Night

Bex&Cole

Bex&Cole

Suncliffe

Suncliffe

Flying Hearts

Flying Hearts

Industry Plant

Industry Plant

Simon Maggs & People Like Us

Simon Maggs & People Like Us

Saxofony

Saxofony

Dr. Beatroot

Dr. Beatroot

Jim Bryant

Jim Bryant

Mike Lemin Band

Mike Lemin Band

Bragging Rights

Bragging Rights

The Slow Cooked Bears

The Slow Cooked Bears

Moakz

Moakz

Maerefolk

Maerefolk

Chayz3r

Chayz3r

Purple Grace

Purple Grace

Mr. Buoyant

Mr. Buoyant

Endless Talking

Endless Talking

Hanterhir

Hanterhir

Helicopter Pirates

Helicopter Pirates

Ribble

Ribble

High Mileage

High Mileage

CJOHNSON

CJOHNSON

Dan James

Dan James

3's a Crowd

3's a Crowd

Karl V

Karl V

Retro Rock'its

Retro Rock'its

Kev Ellis and the Space Cadets

Kev Ellis and the Space Cadets

Jess Breame

Jess Breame

Echo Union

Echo Union

Chris Payn

Chris Payn

OCB & Adam Turner

OCB & Adam Turner

Amy Fox

Amy Fox

Tongue & Groove

Tongue & Groove

Bob&the Bobettes

Bob&the Bobettes

Luna Acrobatics & Aerial Arts

Luna Acrobatics & Aerial Arts

SO Sound Choir

SO Sound Choir

Adventure State

Adventure State

Ignitez

Ignitez

James K. Barker

James K. Barker

Mad Simple

Mad Simple

Blood Red Sky

Blood Red Sky

Watching the Buzzards

Watching the Buzzards

CHIMAN 101

CHIMAN 101

Jordon  Mulvoy

Jordon Mulvoy

Pooja Rajguru

Pooja Rajguru

Roger James Shephard

Roger James Shephard

City of Southampton Orchestra

City of Southampton Orchestra

Ras Amankwatia

Ras Amankwatia

EVXN

EVXN

Ron May

Ron May

HAZE

HAZE

Gods House Tower Poetry Group

Gods House Tower Poetry Group

Southampton Grad Band

Southampton Grad Band

Mosaic

Mosaic

H.AZ

H.AZ

71chain

71chain

Hampshire Guitar Club

Hampshire Guitar Club

Under The Attic

Under The Attic

Sebastian Horton

Sebastian Horton

Tony Arthur

Tony Arthur

Gaz Parker

Gaz Parker

Paul Levi

Paul Levi

MAKA FOUNDATION SOUND SYSTEM

MAKA FOUNDATION SOUND SYSTEM

Days of closure

Days of closure

Changing Melody

Changing Melody

The Dandelion Chain

The Dandelion Chain

Jubilee

Jubilee

Loose Change

Loose Change

The Shantywomen

The Shantywomen

Gimme a Break DJs

Gimme a Break DJs

Steam Town Shanty Crew

Steam Town Shanty Crew

Good-will

Good-will

Palookaville

Palookaville

Sonne

Sonne

浪之乐队

浪之乐队

Tesoro Duo

Tesoro Duo

Deepest Sense

Deepest Sense

Frontline

Frontline

Southbound

Southbound

Funky Business

Funky Business

Jimmy b and the death rattles

Jimmy b and the death rattles

Stephanio

Stephanio

Amie Lou Shaw (Classical)

Amie Lou Shaw (Classical)

Bamboo and Bow

Bamboo and Bow

Mighty Magic Animal

Mighty Magic Animal

Lee Huxtable

Lee Huxtable

One foot in the rave

One foot in the rave

SPLOOGE

SPLOOGE

AfroDeX

AfroDeX

Shaun

Shaun

Rhythms of Resistance

Rhythms of Resistance

Ricco Sakona

Ricco Sakona

Zakk Paules

Zakk Paules

Jay Munday

Jay Munday

Southbound

Southbound

Bill Thompson

Bill Thompson

Thundizzle

Thundizzle

Nick Haynes

Nick Haynes

Swan Samba

Swan Samba

Punkhub

Punkhub

The Hinton  Cleeves Conspiracy

The Hinton Cleeves Conspiracy

Edith and the Kingpins

Edith and the Kingpins

Tony Lehrle-Fry  and friends

Tony Lehrle-Fry and friends

The Can Can Club.

The Can Can Club.

Dean Antony

Dean Antony

Lula Gold

Lula Gold

Exhilaro

Exhilaro

The Daytonas

The Daytonas

Jo Fisher/Verse in the Vault

Jo Fisher/Verse in the Vault

Steam Machine

Steam Machine

Lost Post

Lost Post

Royston Black

Royston Black

Mountbatten Hampshire Community Choir

Mountbatten Hampshire Community Choir

gaz909

gaz909

Footless Kicks

Footless Kicks

FancyWall

FancyWall

The Bex quartet

The Bex quartet

King Louie

King Louie

dj junk

dj junk

The Soulcatchers

The Soulcatchers

Chimney and I K 8OY

Chimney and I K 8OY

Bitterne Park Primary and Nursery School

Bitterne Park Primary and Nursery School

SJ Ventįl

SJ Ventįl

Miriam

Miriam

Anita Foxall Poetry

Anita Foxall Poetry

Cella

Cella

Felis Leo

Felis Leo

Guillotine Union Boys

Guillotine Union Boys

Chaos from Order

Chaos from Order

Red Light Spies

Red Light Spies

Red Hot Chili Podders

Red Hot Chili Podders

Marsupial

Marsupial

James & Phil

James & Phil

Reverb (Hampshire)

Reverb (Hampshire)

New Tide

New Tide

The Stokes

The Stokes

The Elderlys

The Elderlys

Elephants With Shotguns

Elephants With Shotguns

Room 18

Room 18

Heart & Voice

Heart & Voice

Nick JT

Nick JT

According to Brian

According to Brian

Alex Jeffrey

Alex Jeffrey

Davey Jones' Locker

Davey Jones' Locker

Cocoa

Cocoa

The Slowdown

The Slowdown

Our host venues…

To express your interest in being a venue for this years festival please sign up here.

Kwackers Restaurant & Sports Bar

Kwackers Restaurant & Sports Bar

Slug and Lettuce Southampton

Slug and Lettuce Southampton

The Undercroft

The Undercroft

God's House Tower - Cafe/Bar

God's House Tower - Cafe/Bar

Canute's Palace

Canute's Palace

Barraquito

Barraquito

The Joiners

The Joiners

Quilter's Vault

Quilter's Vault

St Michael's Vault

St Michael's Vault

St Michael's Square

St Michael's Square

The Cricketers Arms

The Cricketers Arms

94 High Street Vault

94 High Street Vault

Bottle & Stoat

Bottle & Stoat

The Queen Mary

The Queen Mary

King John’s Palace

King John’s Palace

Royal British Legion Club

Royal British Legion Club

Arundel Gardens

Arundel Gardens

Castle Bailey Wall

Castle Bailey Wall

room2

room2

The Loft

The Loft

Southampton City Art Gallery

Southampton City Art Gallery

The Social

The Social

The Platform Tavern

The Platform Tavern

The Titanic Pub and Kitchen

The Titanic Pub and Kitchen

Holyrood  DJ's

Holyrood DJ's

Medieval Merchant's House

Medieval Merchant's House

St Michael the Archangel

St Michael the Archangel

London Road Brew House

London Road Brew House

Castle Hall

Castle Hall

God's House Tower - The Crawford Room

God's House Tower - The Crawford Room

HMV Southampton

HMV Southampton

Heartbreakers

Heartbreakers

Gallery Grounds

Gallery Grounds

All Bar One Southampton

All Bar One Southampton

Lankester’s Vault

Lankester’s Vault

St Michael's  DJ's

St Michael's DJ's

Vinilo Record Store

Vinilo Record Store

St Joseph's Church

St Joseph's Church

Southampton Masonic Hall

Southampton Masonic Hall

Duke of Wellington

Duke of Wellington

Castle Vault

Castle Vault

Weigh House & Vault

Weigh House & Vault

The London Hotel

The London Hotel

O'Neill's Southampton

O'Neill's Southampton

Dirty Barrel

Dirty Barrel

Retro Cafe

Retro Cafe

Holyrood Church

Holyrood Church

John Hansard Gallery

John Hansard Gallery

Town Quay Park

Town Quay Park

Dancing Man Brewery

Dancing Man Brewery

The Watergate Ruin

The Watergate Ruin

Raven & Bine

Raven & Bine

Overdraft

Overdraft

Music in the City Volunteers

We need volunteers!

Please fill in this form to help out on Saturday the 12th September 2026. Everybody is welcome over the age of 16. It's fun and rewarding.

Volunteer sign up

The festival takes place across multiple venues, using historic, cultural, retail and public spaces; reflecting Southampton’s heritage and diversity.

The programme prioritises emerging and grassroots musicians, offering professional stage experience to artists at early career stages or from under-represented backgrounds. Alongside established local acts, performances include youth musicians, community choirs, and artists representing diverse cultural traditions.

“Would love to be a part of this again! London Road Brew House went off!!!”

“Amazing to have access to lots of Southampton's historic nooks and crannies over the weekend for Music in the City.”

“Hats off to all involved in this event. It gets better every year 👏👏.”

“what did you love about Music in the City 2025?... the variety of music making and the opportunities it afforded everyone - also the sense of community.”

“Volunteering gave me a first-hand look into the inner workings of live event operations, and it was truly inspiring to witness everything come together.”

“The festival is an amazing conception, and great to be part of. I liked the idea of performing at unusual venues and filling the city with music!”

“what do you think Music in the City stands for?... Promoting music as a community activity for all. Local musicians, local businesses, local venues and helpers all volunteering to provide a free music festival that showcases Southampton's multi-faceted culture and history.”

“Loved all of it! The atmosphere, the people, the music, Southampton felt alive and vibrant!”

“What a weekend that was!! Huge congratulations to you for pulling that together, and organising the army of volunteers across the city.”

“The website was really good and made it really simple to view the programme and work out who was on and where.”

“It was a pleasure and privilege to be involved in such an excellent event.”

“There was a lovely atmosphere, and a nice friendly crowd. I thought Johny and Katherine did a fabulous job in organising and supporting us artists.”

“Loved the carnival atmosphere generated in the city, the camaraderie and the music.”

“Loved the total buzz around the city, music coming from every venue along the quay and high street and meeting so many other musicians.”

“The volunteer at our location was a legend, very much appreciate his contribution, and the sound guy as well.”

“Saturday helping to organise and play at Beards & Boards for Music in The City was one of the best days of my life.”

“what do you think Music in the City stands for?... Community, the love of music and showcasing our wonderful city!”

“Thanks for pulling this festival together - what an amazing feat. It is a great thing!”

“what did you love about Music in the City 2025?... a get together of all genres of music dedicated to highlighting raw talent. ”

“We were on the Hythe ferry with the Southampton Salty Sea Dogs. Absolutely brilliant little cruise. Thanks to all!”

“what do you think Music in the City stands for?... it highlights what an amazing music scene we have in Southampton. ”

“what do you think Music in the City stands for?... Championing live music and amateur performers in a diverse and inspiring way.”

“The amount of work and collaboration that has gone into this event is incredible. Everyone should feel very proud of such an achievement.”

“what did you love about Music in the City 2025?... the sheer range of music available to everyone for free was amazing, some great talent there. ”

“what did you love about Music in the City 2025?... the whole ‘buzz’ of everyone just enjoying themselves - acts and punters alike. ”

“The amount of work and collaboration that has gone into this event is incredible. Everyone should feel very proud of such an achievement.”

“I think this was the biggest and best yet! So many people had flocked to the city for the event. Very well organised event and I always love playing each year.”

“The atmosphere around Southampton on Sunday was lovely - well done!”

“The marketing materials were really professional looking this year and the availability of posters, t-shirts etc gave a real cohesive and community look to the whole event.”

“Loved playing in a vault, very different! The website with the option to plan your line-up was genius.”

“We had a fabulous time. Can't wait to do it all again x. Thank you for the opportunity.”

“Pure Rehearsal Studios: A superb weekend showcasing the amazing talent in the area. Well done!”

“Loved the inclusive nature of the event - all welcome to take part and contribute. The 'let's go for it' attitude and positivity from Chris Orr.”

“Loved the audiences - really good crowds everywhere.”

“Loved the opportunity to play in an unusual venue, and to meet other musicians.”

“The outstanding quality of the performers all day from 1pm right through to 8pm made me so proud to be part of the Southampton music scene.”

“Loved the positive atmosphere from bands and punters, interest from passers by and cruise ship passengers, the inclusivity.”

“Loved playing in the lovely acoustic of the Art Gallery to a very large and enthusiastic audience.”

“Just a huge thank you to the organisers. I doff my cap to you all.”

“Huge Congrats Chris Orr, a fabulous time was has by one and all and it was a pleasure and great fun volunteering.”

“Loved the whole day. The support and people being brought together ❤️”

“Loved having the opportunity to be involved in a big event as a volunteer, and getting the chance to have a position of responsibility.”

“What I loved most was the energy, creativity, and dedication behind the scenes.”

“DJing in the docks! 🚢 Amazing to play in parts of Southampton that are normally shut off to the public. We had a great time for Music in The City.”

“what did you love about Music in the City 2025?... opportunity to visit new venues and areas of the city, especially the Vaults. Variety of music. Music and joy everywhere. ”

“Just the best festival there is. Love it.”

We do so much more than just our annual festival!

Latest news

02 June 2026

400th Sign Up - local up and coming RnB artist MoniQ

We’ve hit 400! That’s 400 acts that have signed up to perform at...

05 May 2026

Music in the Marathon 2026

Music is the City further establishes itself as a  year round movement...

13 April 2026

Fund Raising Raffle

We’ve launched a raffle with some fantastic prizes!Music in the City multi...

Friends of Music in the City… Southampton venues supporting local grassroots music, week in week out…

God's House Tower - Cafe/Bar

GHT Lates at God’s House Tower, 7pm til late on the last Friday of every month with live performances from some of the South’s best musicians.
Town Quay Road, Southampton SO14 2NY

Heartbreakers

Heartbreakers support the fantastic local scene that Southampton has to offer, as well as a wide range of international touring acts. Its a suave, neon-clad dive-bar that excels in cocktail creation and live music, and open 'til the early hours.
7-9 Hanover Buildings, Southampton SO14 1JX

Papillon

Papillon is a Music Venue, Restaurant, Bar & Event Space in the grade II listed former St. Peter's Church on Commercial Rd that dates from 1845.
61 Commercial Road, Southampton SO15 1GG

The 1865

Southampton's largest independent grassroots music and events venue. with a standing capacity of 750. Formerly the Dockers Club. Its a great space and stage, viewable from two bars and a large mezzanine.
Brunswick Square, Southampton SO14 3AR

The Cricketers Arms

Regular live music from local bands and performers as well as a weekly open mic and a fortnightly blues jam.
34 Carlton Place, Southampton S015 2DX

The Joiners

Southampton's Iconic 200 capacity multi genre, award winning grassroots music venue.
141 St. Mary Street, Southampton SO14 1NS

The Loft

Live music and event venue, upstairs at the Social with a 300 capacity. Often hosting rock and indie shows from up-and-coming bands.
21 Lower Banister Street, Southampton SO15 2EH

The Platform Tavern

Live Music at The Platform includes Blues, Rock, Soul, Rockabilly, Americana, R&B, Country & Jazz with free entry.
Town Quay, Southampton SO14 2NY

Friends of Music in the City… partners in music, please support…

Bedford Place Summer Festival

The ultimate summer festival, run by Local Traders for the community, Sunday 28th June, 2026 11am - 8pm.

Beggars Fair

Music and Dance returns once again to Romsey when the 32nd Beggars Fair takes over the town on 11th July 2026. Expect to see, hear and enjoy over 100 acts spread over 20+ Venues and all for FREE at Romsey’s annual Summer Music Festival.

The Drop

Southampton's No 1 live Hip Hop open mic & showcase event, monthly at Heartbreakers

SOC AFRO

Unique bi-monthly live artists showcase, & variations in Caribbean & African Music including; Soca, Afrobeat, Amapiano, Steelpan, Chutney, Reggae, Dancehall, and Limbo dancing competition!

Vinilo Record Store

Southampton, Independent Record Store 43 - 47 Queensway Southampton SO14 3BL

WTF IS INDIE?

Southampton natives who saw a lack of an indie scene in our own hometown and decided to take matters into our own hands! We play ALL your favourite indie choons. We're proud of creating our very own disco 2000 and can't wait to live forever with you all!

Bloc

BLOC is a coalition of independent music businesses, organisations and venues looking to unify the grassroots music scene in the South Central Region.

Our 2026 Partners & Supporters

We are supported by and working with Go! Southampton, the Business Improvement District (BID) for Southampton City Centre

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