It's been described as the annual gift to the city from its musical community - and it's going ahead this weekend.

Music in the City will see 800 performers from 150 acts playing music in interesting and unusual venues around Southampton.

The 15th edition of the free family-friendly live music event could be the biggest ever. 

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Celebrating the wonderful diversity of musical talent from the Solent area, audiences can expect everything from Rock to Jazz, Classical to Americana and Folk to Blues popping up anywhere and everywhere. 

The bulk of the programme takes place on Saturday (September 23) with professional and amateur musicians performing in historic hotspots including 13th Century gatehouse God's House Tower, King John's Palace, 700-year-old Dancing Man Brewery, and some of the city's  vaults.

A special live music area will be set up in Guildhall Square and many pubs and live music spots have also joined the list of venues on the Music in the City map.

Daily Echo: Performance from Batala Portsmouth at a previous Music in the City

Swish restaurant Papillon, housed in the former church opposite Mayflower Theatre, is new to the event and even the Black Axe Throwing Co in The Marlands has got in on the act. 

Musical acts will include the dozen strong ukelele act Lounge Room Lizards at Belgium & Blues, Cabin Crew Barbershop Quartet at Bistro Barista, fun singalong cover band Duvet Head with Chris Evans at the Duke of Wellington, and sea shanties from Southampton Salty Seadogs at the site of the ruins of Holyrood Church. 

The line-up for the now traditional finale gig from Southampton AllStars, featturing musicians who have played with the likes of George Michael, Sting, Diana Ross, Gary Numan, The Eagles and Sheryl Crow, has now been finalised. 

Daily Echo: Performing at a previous Music in the City

Solly Read, Tony Wright, Brian Wright, Shelley Mintrium, Matt Jessup, Sean McMenemy, Steve Barker, Lou Taylor, Clyde Ward and Martin Perry will play some monster numbers including September by Earth, Wind and Fire and Will You? by Hazel O'Connor at The 1865 on Sunday.

Organiser Martin Perry said: "It's a gift from the music community to Southampton. That's the whole point of the event. We love performing and the audience love the shows. There's always a lot of love in the room."

For the event's full listings, see Saturday's Daily Echo.