SOUTHAMPTON danced to the beat of hundreds of musicians at a multi-venue festival in the city.

Thousands of music-lovers wandered the streets of the city, maps in hand, choosing which band to watch and which stage to visit next.

Many sat outside and enjoyed the sun while others were keen to get into the thick of things, singing along and dancing at the front of the stage.

Bands started at 1pm on Saturday at no fewer than 16 different sites across the city and the music carried out throughout the day and into the night.

The free festival featured a variety of sounds including rock ‘n’ roll, jazz, blues, folk and classical, and was organised by Linda Norris, Mayor of Southampton.

As well as more traditional venues like Grande Café and Platform Tavern, stages were set up in underground vaults and on a steamship.

Edi Swiecka, general manager at Grand Café, which hosted acts including Elaine McLaughlin, Bargate Brigadiers and Neil Anderson, said the festival was a success.

She told the Daily Echo: “It was a very good event and it was the first one we have done so we didn’t know how it was going to go.

“The mayor called us and thought it would be good if we got involved and the bar got quite busy.

“It was a nice atmosphere and people enjoyed the music, and there were a few people walking around the town.

“We would do it again.”