SOUTHAMPTON'S biggest free music event will take over the city this weekend.

With 20 venues and 1,000 artists appearing in more than 150 acts, Music in the City is back for its eighth outing and is bigger than ever before.

The musical extravaganza offers something for everyone in a host of unusual places around Southampton, including the city's 800 year old vaults, which are rarely opened to the public.

From rock to jazz and classical to Americana, every genre of music is catered for in a host of quirky venues, which also include the SS Shieldhall, the largest working steamship in Britain.

Organised by former Southampton mayor Linda Norris, the annual event aims to celebrate the array of musical talent from the city and further afield.

It is supported by hundreds of talented musicians young and old who give up their time for free to entertain enthusiastic crowds.

Tomorrow, the main bulk of the programme takes place with everywhere from the Dancing Man Brewery to the ruins of Holyrood Church providing a backdrop for the action.

The Voice star Harry Fisher is among the artists to appear in The Marlands, a space curated by talent scout Rosalind Fountain to showcase musical stars of the future.

Teenage internet sensations The Mini Band will make an appearance onboard SS Shieldhall, while Samba reggae band Batala and the Southampton Ukelele Jam make up part of a lively line up at Holyrood Church.

Singer songwriter Nick Tann, folk favourite Brian Hooper and acoustic / folk singer songwriter Jim Chorley will continue their impressive run of having appeared in every Music in the City since its launch in 2009.

Free heritage buses will run between venues all day tomorrow.

On Sunday, a programme of classical music takes over St Mary's Church. City of Southampton Orchestra and Southampton Philharmonic Choir present a selection of beautiful music, including the Mozart Clarinet Concerto. They're followed by a variety set from Southampton's popular flute orchestra Flautissimo and Southampton Folk Orchestra.

The entertainment gets under way at midday at Holyrood Church and 1pm elsewhere.

Turn to page xx for the full programme.