Southampton turn up the sun for second year of Summer Sessions
2025 brings a blistering, star-studded selection of musical icons to the city for its 2nd year.
Photo: Jim Cooke
Last year’s inaugural event saw the likes of alt rock megastars Kaiser Chiefs, Placebo and national treasure Tom Jones grace the Guildhall Square stage, as well as acts Nile Rogers and CHIC, Loyle Carner and Air. Over 26,000 Sotonians poured into the plaza across June and July, eager to spend the hot summer nights in the company of giants.
For its sophomore year, Southampton Summer Sessions once again welcomes a wealth of internationally renowned talent to its shores, starting with titan of soul, Rag’n’Bone Man, on June 13th. This balmy Friday night will see the critically acclaimed Human singer joined by special guests Elles Bailey and Kerr Mercer.
For the punks and the tearaways, legendary rock/new-wave group The Stranglers will perform a string of classic hits like Golden Brown and Peaches on June 14th, bolstered by Buzzcocks, the group behind 1978 hit Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn’t’ve).
Across the following two weeks, acts UB40 ft. Ali Campbell, Craig David, McFly, The Human League, Ocean Colour Scene, Train and Simple Minds will play headliner, offering an eclectic and electric mix of sounds from across the last half a century. With a line-up this strong, Southampton City Council and sponsor TK Maxx may well have one-upped 2024’s truly epic roster.
For live music lovers across the south of England, the Southampton Summer Sessions finally offer a solution to the age-old problem of bands favouring the nation’s capital, and promises two weeks of incredible, magnetic music.
See the full line-up below:
Rag’n’Bone (with Elles Bailey and Kerr Mercer) – 13 June
The Stranglers (with Buzzcocks) – 14 June
UB40 featuring Ali Campbell (with Bitty McLean and Reggae Roast ft Mr Williamz) – 15 June
Craig David Presents TS5 (with Patrick Nazemi) – 21 June
McFly (with Twin Atlantic and Devon) – 22 June
The Human League (with Thompson Twins’ Tom Bailey and Blancmange) – 26 June
Ocean Colour Scene (with Cast and Echobelly) – 27 June
Train (with Matt Hansen) – 28 June
Simple Minds (with China Crisis) – 29 June 2025
Tickets for all events are on sale now and can be purchased here.