Promoting the great range of music in and around Southampton, celebrating its unique heritage, and uniting everyone through music at a multi-venue festival in September

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

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

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

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

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

“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 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 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.”

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

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

“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. ”

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

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

“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.”

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

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

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

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

“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 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. ”

“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?... a get together of all genres of music dedicated to highlighting raw talent. ”

“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.”

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

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

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

“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.”

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

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

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

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

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

“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.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

“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!”

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

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

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

St Michael’s Church

St Michael’s Church

Beards & Boards

Beards & Boards

Bottle & Stoat

Bottle & Stoat

Weigh House & Vault

Weigh House & Vault

Dancing Man Brewery

Dancing Man Brewery

Holyrood Church

Holyrood Church

St Michael's  DJ's

St Michael's DJ's

Orange Rooms

Orange Rooms

Arundel Gardens

Arundel Gardens

The Grapes

The Grapes

All Bar One

All Bar One

The Platform Tavern

The Platform Tavern

Unity Brewing Co

Unity Brewing Co

Duke of Wellington

Duke of Wellington

God's House Tower

God's House Tower

Raven & Bine

Raven & Bine

King John’s Palace

King John’s Palace

The Cricketers Arms

The Cricketers Arms

The Dell

The Dell

Papillon

Papillon

St Michael's Vault

St Michael's Vault

Mettricks Guildhall

Mettricks Guildhall

The Social

The Social

HMV Southampton

HMV Southampton

John Lewis

John Lewis

London Road Brew House

London Road Brew House

St Joseph's Church

St Joseph's Church

O'Neill's

O'Neill's

XOXO

XOXO

St Michael's Square

St Michael's Square

Overdraft

Overdraft

The Loft

The Loft

Holyrood  DJ's

Holyrood DJ's

The Grumpy Monkey

The Grumpy Monkey

The Undercroft

The Undercroft

The Rockstone

The Rockstone

The 1865

The 1865

Medieval Merchant's House

Medieval Merchant's House

The King Canute

The King Canute

Carlton Place Market

Carlton Place Market

94 High Street Vault

94 High Street Vault

Castle Vault

Castle Vault

Heartbreakers

Heartbreakers

Lankester’s Vault

Lankester’s Vault

The Titanic Pub and Kitchen

The Titanic Pub and Kitchen

Brewdog Southampton

Brewdog Southampton

Quilter's Vault

Quilter's Vault

Belgium and Blues

Belgium and Blues

Kwackers Restaurant & Sports Bar

Kwackers Restaurant & Sports Bar

Castle Bailey Wall

Castle Bailey Wall

John Hansard Gallery

John Hansard Gallery

Canute's Palace

Canute's Palace

The Joiners

The Joiners

The London Hotel

The London Hotel

MUSIC IN THE CITY 2025

took place on the weekend of 13/14 September 2025

361

Acts

1,770

Musicians

42

Genres

54

Venues

We do so much more than just our annual festival!

Love the music? Please donate to keep it playing

Our funding is super tight and running costs are high, if you could pay a little something it will make a massive difference to us and to the future of Music in the City.

PLEASE DONATE

Suggested donation: £3

2025 Playlist

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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