Written by Nick Mabee. Featured image by Laura McCarthy.
Numbers are only part of the story. In the end, 1,703 artists performed 318 times in 58 venues with the help of over 100 volunteers. I was lucky enough to be one of the volunteers and was happy to play a small role in a vast undertaking. What surprised me was the whole hustle and bustle. It’s hard to describe the recipe that made it so special.
organizer
Chris Orr did a great job pulling it all together in his first year of running the event. It was a testament to his leadership, creativity and perseverance that he was able to pull off The City’s biggest music ever with so much color and style.
Photo: Antony Burdett-Clark, Lightbox Digital Studios.
Dear volunteers
There was a bond of camaraderie and dedication between the volunteers that held it all together. As someone interested in group dynamics and crowd psychology, I’m perplexed to know how this happened. Of course, WhatsApp groups and T-shirts helped, but there was more to it than that. Perhaps something about a shared love of music? Or was it the fact that it was free? Or was it in the center of town?
Photo: Antony Burdett-Clark, Lightbox Digital Studios.
artist
All 307 artists came together with no expectation of compensation (though perhaps some expected donations). They represented a wider range of music than I could ever imagine ever being featured at a single event. There are obviously too many artists to list here, but genres include indie, rock, blues, folk, pop, barbershop, country, ukulele, choir, samba, sea shanty, easy listening, punk, Includes metal, experimental, electronic, DJ, and musical. Theater, reggae, house, DJ, classical, and last but not least, poetry.
Photo: Antony Burdett-Clark, Lightbox Digital Studios.
venue
What makes this festival unusual, or perhaps unique, is the venue. This year, IKEA and Hythe Ferry join classic favorites Holyrood Church and various vaults. Add in a variety of cafes, pubs, bars and clubs, and what was on offer was an amazing array of experiences that showcased the best of the city.
Photo: Antony Burdett-Clark, Lightbox Digital Studios.
color
The T-shirts of the volunteers, the posters, the red of the bunting and the bright blue of the autumn sky (on Saturday at least), the costumes of some of the performances, the outdoor performances, the large crowds in attendance all contributed to that. It brings color to what feels like dark times at the moment.
Photo by Laura McCarthy.
the city itself
I confess to being biased having been born here and being a lifelong fan of the football team, but in my view Southampton hosted Music in the City in a way that only this city can. Music was concentrated in three different centers of the city. In the old town, closer to the water, the venues were unique and the music more diverse. The event was then linked to the BBAM Festival in Guildhall Square. And finally, I volunteered on the revitalized streets of Bedford Place and London Road. Each area had its own feel and each played its own role.
Photo by Laura McCarthy.
So let’s do it again next year. If you would like to take an active role as a venue organizer, artist or volunteer next year, why not email Chris and the team at info@musicinthecity.org
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