SOUTHAMPTON city centre became a stage over the bank holiday weekend, as the Keys to the City event brought piano music back into the spotlight.

The free event was organised by Music in the City, which uses performance space in Southampton to help musicians showcase their talents.

Students from the University of Southampton music department were first up in the programme with a recital at WestQuay. The impromptu concert featured classically trained undergraduates, traditional jazz artists and a piano duet.

The piano then travelled to The Mall with performances from local piano teachers and their students, and a star turn from Tim Morris. Tim is a winner of the prestigious Pianist Yamaha Audience Favourite Award, as well as being a professor of theoretical physics at the University of Southampton.

As well as highlighting the talents of a wide range of Southampton pianists, Keys to the City seeks to remind us what a wonderful instrument the piano can be.

The event, supported by Triangle Pianos and Russells’ Removals, is also a precursor to the first ever Daily Echo backed Music in the City event between October 1 and 10.

The Art Gallery in the Civic Centre is hosting the event today with a line-up of local artists – Pete Davison, Stephen McCleery, Jonathan Fashole-Luke and Renes “Bbwi” Lopanor.

Watch the concert between 1pm and 5pm.