The 2025 multi venue festival took place in Southampton on 13/14 September 2025

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

2025 full lineup

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

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

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

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

“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.”

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

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

“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.”

“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 sheer range of music available to everyone for free was amazing, some great talent there. ”

“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?... opportunity to visit new venues and areas of the city, especially the Vaults. Variety of music. Music and joy everywhere. ”

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

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

“Loved the audiences - really good crowds everywhere.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“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.”

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

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

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

“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 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!”

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

“The atmosphere around Southampton on Sunday was lovely - 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.”

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

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

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

“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.”

“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.”

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

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

“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.”

“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!”

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

Southampton Venues
King John’s Palace

King John’s Palace

Overdraft

Overdraft

The Rockstone

The Rockstone

St Michael's Square

St Michael's Square

Belgium and Blues

Belgium and Blues

Beards & Boards

Beards & Boards

St Michael’s Church

St Michael’s Church

St Joseph's Church

St Joseph's Church

God's House Tower

God's House Tower

Papillon

Papillon

The Grumpy Monkey

The Grumpy Monkey

London Road Brew House

London Road Brew House

The Joiners

The Joiners

Bottle & Stoat

Bottle & Stoat

Medieval Merchant's House

Medieval Merchant's House

Lankester’s Vault

Lankester’s Vault

Arundel Gardens

Arundel Gardens

All Bar One

All Bar One

The Titanic Pub and Kitchen

The Titanic Pub and Kitchen

The Grapes

The Grapes

Orange Rooms

Orange Rooms

The Cricketers Arms

The Cricketers Arms

Mettricks Guildhall

Mettricks Guildhall

John Hansard Gallery

John Hansard Gallery

John Lewis

John Lewis

The Social

The Social

St Michael's Vault

St Michael's Vault

The Loft

The Loft

The Dell

The Dell

Raven & Bine

Raven & Bine

The Undercroft

The Undercroft

Unity Brewing Co

Unity Brewing Co

Duke of Wellington

Duke of Wellington

Town Quay Park

Town Quay Park

XOXO

XOXO

The Platform Tavern

The Platform Tavern

Kwackers Restaurant & Sports Bar

Kwackers Restaurant & Sports Bar

Canute's Palace

Canute's Palace

The London Hotel

The London Hotel

St Michael's  DJ's

St Michael's DJ's

The 1865

The 1865

Brewdog Southampton

Brewdog Southampton

The King Canute

The King Canute

Castle Vault

Castle Vault

Holyrood Church

Holyrood Church

Quilter's Vault

Quilter's Vault

Dancing Man Brewery

Dancing Man Brewery

O'Neill's

O'Neill's

HMV Southampton

HMV Southampton

Holyrood  DJ's

Holyrood DJ's

Carlton Place Market

Carlton Place Market

Castle Bailey Wall

Castle Bailey Wall

Weigh House & Vault

Weigh House & Vault

94 High Street Vault

94 High Street Vault

Heartbreakers

Heartbreakers

Our 2025 Partners & Supporters

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

Southampton football club partner with Music in the City as part of their ongoing commitment to supporting local culture and community events

Multi-Award Winning Rehearsal Studios, PA Hire and Music tuition, delivering professional sounds to Music in the City