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Southampton Summer Sessions: What you need to know

Stephen Stafford
BBC News, Southampton
Getty Images Rag'n'Bone Man performing on stage with a microphone on a stand in front of him and the words 'Rag'n'Bone Man' in red writing on a black stage background behind him.Getty Images
Rag'n'Bone Man is set to play the first Southampton Summer Session of 2025

A series of open-air city centre concerts, including a homecoming gig for Craig David, gets under way later.

The Southampton Sessions are being held in Guildhall Square over the next four weeks, starting with Rag'n'Bone Man and Elles Bailey.

Southampton-born David is appearing on 21 June.

Other artists include The Human League, McFly and Simple Minds.

The event is returning to the city for a second year, having attracted more than 26,000 music fans in 2024.

Dan Kerins A stage in an urban setting, with the Kaiser Chiefs onstage in front of a large video screen with tower blocks in the background and a crowd of people in the foregroundDan Kerins
The venue is in the heart of Southampton City Centre

Who is on the Southampton Summer Sessions line-up?

Friday, 13 June – Rag'n'Bone Man, Elles Bailey

Saturday, 14 June – The Stranglers, Buzzcocks

Sunday, 15 June – UB40 ft Ali Campbell, Bitty McLean

Saturday, 21 June – Craig David, Patrick Nazemi

Sunday June 22 – McFly, Twin Atlantic, Devon

Thursday June 26 – The Human League

Friday June 27 – Ocean Colour Scene, Cast, Echobelly

Saturday June 28 – Train, Matt Hansen

Sunday June 29 – Simple Minds, China Crisis

Getty Images Craig David performing on stage with a red shirt and black T-shirt, holding a microphone to his mouthGetty Images
Craig David will perform on 21 June

Getting to Southampton Summer Sessions

  • The concerts are being held at Guildhall Square in the centre of the city. The post code is SO14 7DU.
  • There is no specific car park for the venue, but city centre car parking is available nearby
  • Southampton train station is a short walk from Guildhall Square, on Blechynden Terrace.
  • The city's coach station is an eight-minute walk away from the venue on Western Esplanade
  • The My Journey Southampton website can help plan your journey by public transport

When do the gates open and what can I bring?

  • Gates open at 18:00 BST with the shows ending at 22:30.
  • Food is not allowed to be brought into the venue
  • One sealed 500ml water bottle, and an empty refillable bottle, is permitted per person
  • Cash is not accepted on the site, so bring other means to pay such as cards or phone
  • Chairs are not permitted

What's the Southampton weather looking like?

The gigs are on over a number of nights throughout June, so use the BBC website to check the weather forecast for Southampton

Homecoming

Announcing the return of the festival, Southampton City Council leader Lorna Fielker said last year's event brought "immense pride" to the city.

"Southampton is moving to becoming that destination city we all know and love, boosting the local economy and showcasing our wonderful city," she added.

David's appearance marks a return to the city for the R&B star who was brought up on the Holyrood Estate and performed DJ sets at local venues in his teens.

Artists taking part in the Summer Sessions rotate to perform at various other venues across the UK, including Glasgow, Plymouth and Derby.

Last year acts such as Kaiser Chiefs, Air, Madness and Tom Jones took to the stage in Southampton.

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