Southampton's biggest free music festival is back - and it's bigger than ever before. 

Music in the City is set to return to the streets of Southampton for its 16th outing this weekend.

The much-loved pop up event will bring all manner of live music to a variety of weird and wonderful venues all over the city on Saturday and Sunday (September 28 and 29).

READ MORE: 800-seat theatre worth £17 million will be 'jewel in the crown' of town

Enjoy 317 performances from 302 acts featuring 1703 musicians in 60 venues over one weekend. 

Organisers have promised it will be the biggest event yet, with a bumper Sunday programme planned.

A spokesperson said: "Our aim is to 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."

From funk to punk, jazz to indie, classical to afrobeat, pop to experimental, country to heavy metal, there will be music from up and coming, amateur and professional, local and guesting musicians, choirs, youth groups, DJs, buskers and jams in many of the city's best and most unusual settings. 

You can hear Southampton Salty Sea Dogs on the Hythe Ferry, Interesting Wallpaper in the historic Undercroft Vault, Mike and The Mojitos in The Platform Tavern, City of Southampton Orchestra and Southampton Philharmonic Choir in Southampton Art Gallery, and The Bardsteads at both Dancing Man Brewery venues, The Wool House and Raven and Bine. 

Dozens of drummers from regular Music in the City favourites Batala will be performing two bumper 45 minute sets at two different locations in the city on Sunday. First catch them at St Michael’s Square at 2pm, and then at 4pm in the historic grounds of Holyrood Church.

Belgium and Blues will top off seven hours of singer songwriters and duos with a finale from the Jim Hammond Duo playing guitar and keys, surf, blues and rockabilly.

Heritage buses to transport music lovers are back courtesy of Southampton & District Transport Heritage Trust on Saturday.

Mama’s Kitchen Southampton will be popping up in St Michael's Square with their fantastic Thai street food treats.