“We are the city’s premier live music festival. A free celebration of music of all styles, in some of the best and unusual settings Southampton has to offer: from funk to punk, jazz to indie, classical to afrobeat, pop to experimental, country to heavy metal. We’ve got… up and coming, amateur and professional, local and guesting, choirs, youth, DJs, buskers and of course not forgetting our ukulele jams. Music in the City, an inclusive celebration of music amidst the vibrant cultural heritage of Southampton. We promote the great range of music in and around Southampton, celebrate its unique heritage, and encourage community in the city’s diverse and unusual spaces where music uplifts spirits, fosters cultural harmony, and brings everyone together. 2024 will be our biggest year to date.” – (https://musicinthecity.org/)
I was busy in the morning but got into town in time to caught the end of Jot Sloppy literally half a song from what little I heard sounded great but not enough to give comment, the comments in the bar unheard by the band suggest I missed a great set. I had opted to go to Heartbreakers for the afternoon as mostly indie rock, plus its a venue I attend occasionally, good surrounding and good sound.
15.00 Zero Saints (Indie Rock)
An indie rock band with great energy, only a thirty minute set the same as all at Heartbreakers in Southampton today but certainly made there mark with a mix of original songs and covers. Definitely a band I’d see again.
16.00 The Strifes (Indie Rock)
I first saw The Strifes 5 months ago in support band capacity and they were a four piece. On stage tonight as a three piece but no less sound or intensity. A tight unit who could only get better from here, some good songs and a headline gig on the horizon with Jot Sloppy as support possibly one for the diary.
17.00 Noise Factory United (Indie Rock)
A interesting mix of tracks, going down from what I could tell a political route with their songs and from what I overheard possibly facing a band name change to suit. The lead singer and keyboard player swapping roles throughout the gig and shouting lyre can and political rhetoric at the crowd made for an interesting performance.
18.00 Tired Less (Indie Rock)
Musically experimental at times, the guitar player had a pedal setup the size of the engine in my first car. Obviously talented musicians with interesting arrangements, I’m assuming an early incarnation of what’s to come as the singer was supported by lyric sheets.
19.00 Florence (Indie Rock)
A great interlude from what had been and what was to come, great to see a young artist going down the acoustic guitar route with harmonica supported by subtle drumming. A great set and the one hundredth live performance I’ve seen so far this year.
20.00 Bubble (Punk)
A great thirty minutes of punk influenced tracks. Four guys who from what I saw have probably been in bands for a few years now, good musicians and good vocals.
21.00 Audio Pirates (Covers)
Playing well reheated and well delivered covers to a busy, receptive, rowdy, happy audience, a great finish to the day/night.
Well done Music in the City, another great year, bigger and better than the last, looking forward to the next.
