HUNDREDS of bands, artists and musicians are to perform as part of a week of live music in aid of the victims of the war in Ukraine.

Organisers have been inundated with calls since launching Southampton Plays For Ukraine.

They hope venues, pubs, coffee shops, hairdressers and shops will all host impromptu gigs between Monday March 28 and Sunday April 3.

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Organiser Martin Perry told the Daily Echo: "I've done some interesting things in my time, but I've never seen anything like this. The response has been incredible.

"I'm as proud of my city today as I am disgusted by the government in Russia. I can't believe the amount of offers of help and expressions of interest I've had. I don't know how to deal with all of it!

"I've been inundated with volunteers and we haven't even got collection buckets yet!

Daily Echo:

"The vision is a week of live music everywhere and anywhere, not just the usual venues but from tattoo parlours to coffee shops and everywhere in between.

"I've got so many bands I don't know what to do with them, but we are looking for sponsors.

"It's quite surreal that a post I put up about 14 hours ago has had this sort of response. It's brilliant that the city is coming together like this to help.

"The idea’s only hours old, so watch this space for details. But those poor people need help now. So we will be putting this together soon."

The original idea was the brainchild of Rach Rebera, who works at The Alexandra in Bellevue Road and had arranged for owner Ross Middleton to lay on a fundraising gig. Martin will now use his wealth of musical contacts and the database from Music in the City, which he has been charged with taking forward, to extend the idea to a full week of gigs.

To get involved, email martin@musicinthecity.org