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…

Ocean Harmony

Ocean Harmony

Mariano Korman

Mariano Korman

The Hinton  Cleeves Conspiracy

The Hinton Cleeves Conspiracy

SKAM

SKAM

The Alternates

The Alternates

Kev Ellis and the Space Cadets

Kev Ellis and the Space Cadets

Gods House Tower Poetry Group

Gods House Tower Poetry Group

Alfie Ingram

Alfie Ingram

The Outsiders

The Outsiders

Diffy Dames

Diffy Dames

Mahoosive

Mahoosive

Silent Disco with Club Bad DJ's

Silent Disco with Club Bad DJ's

Malcolm Carlo

Malcolm Carlo

H.AZ

H.AZ

The  Restless Coast

The Restless Coast

Dan James

Dan James

Strictly Sweetness (y worry cottage)

Strictly Sweetness (y worry cottage)

JACKPUDDING

JACKPUDDING

Shiversa

Shiversa

The Slow Cooked Bears

The Slow Cooked Bears

Hydeout

Hydeout

Far Solar

Far Solar

Simply Sax  - Kenny Garrick

Simply Sax - Kenny Garrick

Mosaic

Mosaic

9 Lives

9 Lives

Kalopsia

Kalopsia

Ekowe (Acoustic)

Ekowe (Acoustic)

The Red Stars

The Red Stars

Echo Mask

Echo Mask

PB Squared

PB Squared

Chicago 9 Rhythm & Blues Band

Chicago 9 Rhythm & Blues Band

Westingway

Westingway

Hedgehogs

Hedgehogs

Angling For Farthings

Angling For Farthings

Ken Wood and the Mixers

Ken Wood and the Mixers

FREESPIRITS

FREESPIRITS

Romsey Shanty Crew

Romsey Shanty Crew

CJOHNSON

CJOHNSON

Psychedelic Skies

Psychedelic Skies

CHIMAN 101

CHIMAN 101

Spindrift

Spindrift

Arji  Manuelpillai

Arji Manuelpillai

Dirty Rotten Scoundrel

Dirty Rotten Scoundrel

Cat Elliott

Cat Elliott

KSJM

KSJM

Adam Kammerling

Adam Kammerling

Ian Kimber

Ian Kimber

Address soundsystem

Address soundsystem

Roxy's Revenge

Roxy's Revenge

Benana Student Showcase

Benana Student Showcase

Greenish

Greenish

Jonathan Klein

Jonathan Klein

Kase the Myth

Kase the Myth

Reverence Sound

Reverence Sound

DJ Drive

DJ Drive

Zombie’ites

Zombie’ites

Herleen Kaur Khalsa

Herleen Kaur Khalsa

Fragile Lucy

Fragile Lucy

Haeze

Haeze

Riverside Blues Band

Riverside Blues Band

Ekoweko

Ekoweko

International Jet Set

International Jet Set

Gig Night

Gig Night

Bad Alchemy

Bad Alchemy

High Mileage

High Mileage

Simon Maggs & People Like Us (Acoustic)

Simon Maggs & People Like Us (Acoustic)

Harry Ryan

Harry Ryan

Hampshire Guitar Club

Hampshire Guitar Club

Mountbatten Hampshire Community Choir

Mountbatten Hampshire Community Choir

Scarlett

Scarlett

The Slack 5

The Slack 5

Hanna Gibbons

Hanna Gibbons

Kat Hutchings Yoga

Kat Hutchings Yoga

The Ben Poore Project

The Ben Poore Project

Way Down South

Way Down South

Days of Speed

Days of Speed

Pianoman Justie

Pianoman Justie

Alexander Bithell

Alexander Bithell

Savoury Tooth Tiger

Savoury Tooth Tiger

The Salamanders

The Salamanders

Mike Lemin Band

Mike Lemin Band

The Pop Tarts

The Pop Tarts

Eternal Gloom

Eternal Gloom

Totton Ukulele Band

Totton Ukulele Band

Laurie Bolger

Laurie Bolger

Karl V

Karl V

Flipside

Flipside

According to Brian

According to Brian

D'vonti

D'vonti

Q Shaq

Q Shaq

The Long Shorts

The Long Shorts

Arzenic

Arzenic

Nàila

Nàila

Dan O'Farrell & The Difference Engine

Dan O'Farrell & The Difference Engine

Kindred Found

Kindred Found

Roger James Shephard

Roger James Shephard

Maerefolk

Maerefolk

Suncliffe

Suncliffe

JJCornick

JJCornick

Achoiring Voices

Achoiring Voices

Purple Grace

Purple Grace

Halibut Jackson  & The Fishy Faces

Halibut Jackson & The Fishy Faces

Southampton & Isle of Wight Music Rising Stars

Southampton & Isle of Wight Music Rising Stars

Helicopter Pirates

Helicopter Pirates

EVXN

EVXN

The Bob Squad

The Bob Squad

Carl Zed

Carl Zed

The Wildcards

The Wildcards

Lyla Skyrim

Lyla Skyrim

Sam Solace

Sam Solace

Roger Chantler

Roger Chantler

Voice FM

Voice FM

NoteWorthy

NoteWorthy

3's a Crowd

3's a Crowd

Good-will

Good-will

Ribble

Ribble

Southampton Ukulele Jam

Southampton Ukulele Jam

The Howlin' Blackouts

The Howlin' Blackouts

Arboresque

Arboresque

Nia Nicholls

Nia Nicholls

Broken Links

Broken Links

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

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

Lucy RS Must c

Lucy RS Must c

Godless Suns

Godless Suns

Steve Weston

Steve Weston

Velickaite Sisters

Velickaite Sisters

Jim Bryant

Jim Bryant

One foot in the rave

One foot in the rave

Lounge Room Lizards

Lounge Room Lizards

Simon Maggs & People Like Us

Simon Maggs & People Like Us

Bragging Rights

Bragging Rights

Freestone

Freestone

Freya Golding

Freya Golding

Sebastian Horton

Sebastian Horton

Jess Breame

Jess Breame

Arlo Star

Arlo Star

The Zone

The Zone

Sofia Gillani

Sofia Gillani

Andy White Poetry

Andy White Poetry

Bella Cameron

Bella Cameron

Eric Walker & Sarah Rose

Eric Walker & Sarah Rose

NIKHITA

NIKHITA

WooHabs

WooHabs

Beardos and Weirdos

Beardos and Weirdos

Milkin' It

Milkin' It

Ollie Owen Jones

Ollie Owen Jones

Big man with Small guitar

Big man with Small guitar

Southampton Salty Sea Dogs

Southampton Salty Sea Dogs

Kalopsia (duo)

Kalopsia (duo)

GABRIELA

GABRIELA

Tony Arthur

Tony Arthur

Angel Jones

Angel Jones

The Postmen

The Postmen

Ronk Torp

Ronk Torp

Mike and the Mojitos

Mike and the Mojitos

New Forest Community Tango Orchestra

New Forest Community Tango Orchestra

Creative Sparks: Poetry Workshop

Creative Sparks: Poetry Workshop

The Sky at Night

The Sky at Night

Moakz

Moakz

Batala Portsmouth

Batala Portsmouth

Rosie jay

Rosie jay

Innovator

Innovator

The Halliwells

The Halliwells

Oddball Savage

Oddball Savage

Space Ace Robot

Space Ace Robot

Elemci

Elemci

Dawn of Dystopia

Dawn of Dystopia

Theresa Lola

Theresa Lola

Love Is Enough

Love Is Enough

Rosie Hollins

Rosie Hollins

Watching the Buzzards

Watching the Buzzards

Vermin

Vermin

ItsPetre

ItsPetre

Adventure State

Adventure State

The Daytonas

The Daytonas

Ukofonics

Ukofonics

Igloo Hearts

Igloo Hearts

Mick Gough

Mick Gough

Geoff Williams

Geoff Williams

Bamboo and Bow

Bamboo and Bow

desperateBeauty

desperateBeauty

Eat Your Greens

Eat Your Greens

October Some When

October Some When

Uke Box Glory

Uke Box Glory

Aoife Scully

Aoife Scully

Jon Yale

Jon Yale

Elie Pembrey

Elie Pembrey

Mad Simple

Mad Simple

Amie Lou Shaw

Amie Lou Shaw

Pacuk Band

Pacuk Band

Silvermon

Silvermon

NJT

NJT

Echo Union

Echo Union

Vexmantra

Vexmantra

Citizen Perez

Citizen Perez

Xènia Páez

Xènia Páez

Accrington Stanley

Accrington Stanley

Voodoo Rays

Voodoo Rays

WAPPADUSA Sound System

WAPPADUSA Sound System

160

160

The Dark Poet

The Dark Poet

Jim Pearson

Jim Pearson

The Cali Cartel from Hell

The Cali Cartel from Hell

James K. Barker

James K. Barker

Stereo Swan

Stereo Swan

Jax Leonard

Jax Leonard

Puddleglum

Puddleglum

Southampton Grad Band

Southampton Grad Band

GaYeon Lee

GaYeon Lee

OCB & Adam Turner

OCB & Adam Turner

Gaz Parker

Gaz Parker

Betterphor

Betterphor

Earth Propellor

Earth Propellor

Club Bad

Club Bad

Munro

Munro

Halliwell

Halliwell

Tired Less

Tired Less

5 Degrees North

5 Degrees North

Poetry from the Forward Prizes

Poetry from the Forward Prizes

Lottie Marie

Lottie Marie

G-MAN 777

G-MAN 777

Sculpt

Sculpt

Vacant Shores

Vacant Shores

Will Walton

Will Walton

Lachlan Horne

Lachlan Horne

Room 18

Room 18

James B / James  F

James B / James F

Sean Bertram

Sean Bertram

this occasional society

this occasional society

Fiesta FM

Fiesta FM

RELLiX

RELLiX

Mr Moonbeam (Conrad Barr)

Mr Moonbeam (Conrad Barr)

Southampton and Romsey Rock Choir

Southampton and Romsey Rock Choir

Woodfalls band

Woodfalls band

Ignitez

Ignitez

MoniQ

MoniQ

The Surge

The Surge

Ibz & Da Goats

Ibz & Da Goats

DJ Alex

DJ Alex

Madison Square

Madison Square

Doc Martin & the Mayhem

Doc Martin & the Mayhem

Dusky Moon

Dusky Moon

Riverside Concert Wind Band

Riverside Concert Wind Band

You

You

Ajay Sahota

Ajay Sahota

Ryan Watts

Ryan Watts

Dompap

Dompap

McGriff

McGriff

Giles Halski

Giles Halski

Southampton's Music History

Southampton's Music History

Bisola

Bisola

RUBY

RUBY

Naty Giachino

Naty Giachino

Saxofony

Saxofony

City of Southampton Orchestra

City of Southampton Orchestra

DJ Stevie-C & Kayleigh Strachan Official

DJ Stevie-C & Kayleigh Strachan Official

Brian Hooper

Brian Hooper

Eva Nicole

Eva Nicole

St Andrews Pipe Band

St Andrews Pipe Band

The Duskers

The Duskers

Mai

Mai

SO Sound Choir

SO Sound Choir

Waldo Salt

Waldo Salt

Dj Sarah Nash

Dj Sarah Nash

Lucy Smith

Lucy Smith

Industry Plant

Industry Plant

Slap the Willow

Slap the Willow

DJ_MAJOR

DJ_MAJOR

Olivia Marsha

Olivia Marsha

Mr. Buoyant

Mr. Buoyant

The Sound Crew

The Sound Crew

Margarita Sleepover

Margarita Sleepover

Emerson

Emerson

Southside Rhythm & Blues Band

Southside Rhythm & Blues Band

He Fired First

He Fired First

Zen Juddhism

Zen Juddhism

Under The Attic

Under The Attic

Cosmic Sisters

Cosmic Sisters

Stuart Evans

Stuart Evans

My Black Poison

My Black Poison

Laura Klima

Laura Klima

Sugar Bang

Sugar Bang

Amy Fox

Amy Fox

Charmtype

Charmtype

Michael Devaux

Michael Devaux

OC Thomas

OC Thomas

Andrew Buchanan

Andrew Buchanan

Andy Tudor and the Usual Suspects

Andy Tudor and the Usual Suspects

City of Southampton (Albion) Band

City of Southampton (Albion) Band

Hobb Lane

Hobb Lane

71chain

71chain

The Picton Readers Club

The Picton Readers Club

Jaquie Daniels

Jaquie Daniels

Xionic

Xionic

Kinesis 4

Kinesis 4

RENEGADE ROSE

RENEGADE ROSE

Oscar Meades

Oscar Meades

Continental Liaison

Continental Liaison

Houdini’s Hand

Houdini’s Hand

Wire -JD

Wire -JD

The Monday Grooves

The Monday Grooves

Hük

Hük

Hail

Hail

Canis Arboris

Canis Arboris

Jack Walker

Jack Walker

Sonne

Sonne

Ricco Sakona

Ricco Sakona

The Elderlys

The Elderlys

Dara Blaxx

Dara Blaxx

The Slowdown

The Slowdown

SJ Ventįl

SJ Ventįl

Michael, Stuart,  Steve & Charlie

Michael, Stuart, Steve & Charlie

Amelia Simpson

Amelia Simpson

Millie Woodrow

Millie Woodrow

Lamelle Shaw

Lamelle Shaw

Paul Levi

Paul Levi

Guillotine Union Boys

Guillotine Union Boys

Sea Ranch

Sea Ranch

Punkhub

Punkhub

Jay Munday

Jay Munday

Amie Lou Shaw (Classical)

Amie Lou Shaw (Classical)

DJ

DJ

Nick Haynes

Nick Haynes

Rachel Jeffcoat

Rachel Jeffcoat

FancyWall

FancyWall

Days of closure

Days of closure

Royston Black

Royston Black

Lula Gold

Lula Gold

Groove Bakers

Groove Bakers

dj junk

dj junk

Footless Kicks

Footless Kicks

Exhilaro

Exhilaro

Steam Machine

Steam Machine

Changing Melody

Changing Melody

Steam Town Shanty Crew

Steam Town Shanty Crew

Lee Huxtable

Lee Huxtable

gaz909

gaz909

Red Light Spies

Red Light Spies

Darren Vernall (Clapton Unplugged)

Darren Vernall (Clapton Unplugged)

Palookaville

Palookaville

Stephanio

Stephanio

Jo Fisher/Verse in the Vault

Jo Fisher/Verse in the Vault

Nick JT

Nick JT

Marsupial

Marsupial

MJs Whipround Extravaganza

MJs Whipround Extravaganza

Anita Foxall Poetry

Anita Foxall Poetry

Craig Chalmers

Craig Chalmers

Dean Antony

Dean Antony

New Tide

New Tide

DJ / Open Mic

DJ / Open Mic

Cella

Cella

The Can Can Club.

The Can Can Club.

Jackson Davies

Jackson Davies

Miriam

Miriam

Shaun Shears & The Locals

Shaun Shears & The Locals

Loose Change

Loose Change

James & Phil

James & Phil

Gimme a Break DJs

Gimme a Break DJs

Swan Samba

Swan Samba

South Central

South Central

The Bex quartet

The Bex quartet

The Soulcatchers

The Soulcatchers

Jubilee

Jubilee

Belle Saint

Belle Saint

Elephants With Shotguns

Elephants With Shotguns

The Shantywomen

The Shantywomen

Katy Halliwell

Katy Halliwell

Felis Leo

Felis Leo

Funky Business

Funky Business

Deepest Sense

Deepest Sense

Zakk Paules

Zakk Paules

Reverb (Hampshire)

Reverb (Hampshire)

Chimney and I K 8OY

Chimney and I K 8OY

Matt Sanger

Matt Sanger

TBC

TBC

The Dandelion Chain

The Dandelion Chain

SOS PRESENTS

SOS PRESENTS

AfroDeX

AfroDeX

Cocoa

Cocoa

Lost Post

Lost Post

Jimmy b and the death rattles

Jimmy b and the death rattles

Ruth Johnson & Simon Grant

Ruth Johnson & Simon Grant

Bitterne Park Primary and Nursery School

Bitterne Park Primary and Nursery School

Mart Ward Talks

Mart Ward Talks

Tesoro Duo

Tesoro Duo

MAKA FOUNDATION SOUND SYSTEM

MAKA FOUNDATION SOUND SYSTEM

Frontline

Frontline

Our host venues…

Dirty Barrel

Dirty Barrel

The Queen Mary

The Queen Mary

Southampton Masonic Hall

Southampton Masonic Hall

Weigh House

Weigh House

Slug and Lettuce Southampton

Slug and Lettuce Southampton

Overdraft

Overdraft

All Bar One Southampton

All Bar One Southampton

The Platform Tavern

The Platform Tavern

Arundel Gardens

Arundel Gardens

Toys R Us wasteland

Toys R Us wasteland

St Michael's Vault

St Michael's Vault

Quilter's Vault

Quilter's Vault

Orange Rooms

Orange Rooms

The London Hotel

The London Hotel

King John’s Palace

King John’s Palace

Castle Vault

Castle Vault

Kwackers Restaurant & Sports Bar

Kwackers Restaurant & Sports Bar

room2

room2

St Michael's Square

St Michael's Square

Cafe Nautical Mile

Cafe Nautical Mile

Planet Sounds

Planet Sounds

The Loft

The Loft

The White Star Tavern

The White Star Tavern

Bandstand (Palmerston Park)

Bandstand (Palmerston Park)

Southampton Uni Freshers Stage

Southampton Uni Freshers Stage

Raven & Bine

Raven & Bine

The Piano

The Piano

Holyrood  DJ's

Holyrood DJ's

Medieval Merchant's House

Medieval Merchant's House

Dancing Man Brewery

Dancing Man Brewery

O'Neill's Southampton

O'Neill's Southampton

The Titanic Pub and Kitchen

The Titanic Pub and Kitchen

XOXO

XOXO

Canute's Palace

Canute's Palace

John Lewis

John Lewis

Retro Cafe

Retro Cafe

Lankester’s Vault

Lankester’s Vault

Weigh Vault

Weigh Vault

Mamacita's

Mamacita's

Bottle & Stoat

Bottle & Stoat

God's House Tower

God's House Tower

94 High Street Vault

94 High Street Vault

Vinilo Record Store

Vinilo Record Store

IO

IO

St Michael the Archangel

St Michael the Archangel

Duke of Wellington

Duke of Wellington

Holyrood Church

Holyrood Church

Heartbreakers

Heartbreakers

The Joiners

The Joiners

Barraquito

Barraquito

God's House Tower, Crawford Room

God's House Tower, Crawford Room

The Undercroft

The Undercroft

HMV Southampton

HMV Southampton

The Social

The Social

Town Quay Park

Town Quay Park

St Joseph's Church

St Joseph's Church

Marlands Shopping Centre

Marlands Shopping Centre

Gallery Grounds

Gallery Grounds

London Road Brew House

London Road Brew House

Funky Flamingo

Funky Flamingo

John Hansard Gallery

John Hansard Gallery

The Alexandra

The Alexandra

HUUUGE THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS…

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.

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

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

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

“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.”

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

“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.”

“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.”

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

“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.”

“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?... Community, the love of music and showcasing our wonderful city!”

“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 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.”

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

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

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

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

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

“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. ”

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

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

“Loved the audiences - really good crowds everywhere.”

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

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

“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.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

“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.”

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

“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. ”

“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.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

We do so much more than just our annual festival!

Latest news

28 June 2026

Bedford Place Festival Success

Good times were had by all at the Bedford Place Festival that took place in...

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...

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

God's House Tower

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

Planet Sounds

Planet Sounds Rehearsal and recording studio has been a well-loved and highly regarded space for local musicians since opening in 2004. This intimate, 50 capacity space with a bar, has exceptional live sound and a lounge area for relaxing.
40 Terminus Terrace, Southampton

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 Alexandra

Music fans will remember the Alex for providing many years of live music and the new management (2026) aim to keep that tradition alive. Food is a big thing at the new Alex and you will love the open plan kitchen and dining areas. The beer garden has had a refurb too and has already become a favourite haunt of Ibizan DJs!
6 Bellevue Rd, Southampton

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…

The Drop

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

Vinilo Record Store

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

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!

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.

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.

Our 2026 Partners & Supporters

We are supported by and working with GO! Southampton, the city centre Business Improvement District

Southampton’s unique community coworking & events space, situated on Southampton Common

Multi-Award Winning Rehearsal Studios, PA Hire and Music Lessons for Musicians, Bands and Performers

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