Marketing Assistant Megan Harrison shares her favourite picks for the autumn season!

We welcomed over 3,000 people, of all ages, to our annual Summer Festival from 27 to 29 June.

Visitors enjoyed a vibrant weekend of live music, food, and family-friendly activities across the University of Southampton’s Highfield Campus. The event featured performances by local bands on the outdoor stage, alongside an eclectic indoor programme of folk, classical, and jazz. Highlights included Lucy Kitchen and The Shovel Dance Collective on Friday, Orchestra of the Swan’s candlelit concert on Saturday, and a hugely popular Summer Family Day on Sunday. The festival concluded with a powerful performance by jazz trumpeter Yazz Ahmed, who showcased music from her latest album with special guests.

The Turner Sims team extend a big thank you to their brilliant Assistant Producers, Future Producers and The Vibe Collective, who hand-picked fantastic local artists to perform both outdoors and indoors on all three days. And enormous gratitude to their volunteer ushers, team and crew for making it all happen!

There’s loads more incredible live music in store this year! Check out the new Autumn Season here

Check out some of the photos from our Summer Festival below.

At Turner Sims, we believe music is at its most powerful when it brings people together. Whether in our concert hall or out in the community, we create spaces where live music can be shared, experienced, and enjoyed by all.

On 6 June, we raised a glass to our amazing volunteer community! Over refreshments, our programmers Kevin Appleby (Concert Hall Manager) and Jessica Santer (Head of Engagement & Participation) gave a sneak peek into the exciting events coming up in our Autumn season.

In 2024-25 alone, 39 dedicated volunteers contributed nearly 2,000 hours to help us build a more inclusive world through the joy of live music. From ushers welcoming audiences with a smile, to strategic board members shaping our future-each person plays a vital role in what we do.

To every one of our volunteers: thank you. Turner Sims wouldn’t be the same without you.

Turn It Up is a development opportunity for musicians from Southampton and SO postcodes. Launched in 2024 by University of Southampton music venue, Turner Sims, the inaugural winners of the scheme were folk duo Pegasuses.

Supported by funding from Arts Council England, the programme aims to help local musicians turn up the volume on their creative projects.

Lucy will benefit from industry mentoring, funding, and an appearance on the opening night of Turner Sims’ Summer Festival in June. Lucy will be joined by a five-piece band to perform songs from her forthcoming album, ‘In the Low Light’. Spanning folk, Americana, a little bit of country, and infused with the feel of 70s singer-songwriters, Lucy’s original songs explore concepts of grief and loss. Her exquisite vocals are supported by guitars, double bass and drums, plus pedal steel, piano and Hammond, in a warm and engaging soundworld. Lucy and her band’s performance takes place on Friday 27 June 2025 in a double bill with Shovel Dance Collective.

Lucy said:

‘I knew early last year that I wanted to record an album. Something that represents me, my experiences and where I am at musically now. And now, the music is finished and recorded Turn It Up provides the perfect opportunity to push the project over the finish line in the way I envisage. To be able to do a proper live launch with the band as part of the Turner Sims Summer Festival is incredible.’

Kevin Appleby, Turner Sims, said:

‘Through Turn It Up we are keen to support the ambitious creative plans of local artists. Lucy’s clear vision for her project and performance really stood out for the selection panel. With the platform of the Summer Festival it’s exciting to enable her to bring her distinctive sound and music to her current fanbase and new audiences too.’

Kevin joined Turner Sims in 2000. Since then, Kevin has set the venue’s artistic direction and programmed its celebrated concert series, spanning classical, jazz, folk and global music.

Kevin has been an influential figure, raising the bar on the region’s music scene over the past 25 years. His many Turner Sims career highlights include Southampton’s Musical Alphabet in 2012, which saw 50 events and 500 performers entertain 2500 people in 23 venues across the city as part of London 20212’s Cultural Olympiad. The international Friday Afternoons project in 2013 celebrated the centenary of Benjamin Britten. 2760 children were involved in the climax of the Britten Stream project broadcast live from Turner Sims. Peter Edwards’ Turner Sims commission ‘A Journey with the Giants of Jazz’, premiered at the concert hall in 2017. It was part of the nationwide New Music Biennial initiative, with further performances as part of Hull UK City of Culture and at London’s Southbank Centre’. In 2021, the world premiere of Tunde Jegede’s ‘Voyages of the Heart‘ was broadcast online due to Covid-19 restrictions. The work was commissioned for the Mayflower 400 commemorations in Southampton. More recently, Turner Sims hosted the BBC Singers in their 100th Anniversary year at Turner Sims in collaboration with the University’s Department of Music.

Kevin’s final Turner Sims concert series will be the 51st Autumn Season (Sep 2025 – Jan 2026) to be announced in May 2025.

Kevin Appleby said, “Turner Sims has been part of my life for so long that the thought of my time here coming to a close feels somewhat strange. However as the concert hall reaches the end of its 50th anniversary year, and I at the same time complete 25 years here, it is the right moment for me to step down and focus on other things.

When I was appointed I don’t think I ever anticipated spending such a significant amount of my working life in one organisation. However, whenever there has been a doubt in my mind about continuing, another unmissable opportunity, collaboration, or new venture has magically appeared.

As Turner Sims begins its next phase, I will be forever grateful to have been part of an organisation that means so much to so many people, to have worked with inspiring colleagues who have made the place what it is, and to have enjoyed and learnt from so many rewarding experiences.”

Sarah Robertson, Co-Chair of Turner Sims Strategic Board said, “Kevin is an exemplary and passionate advocate for music and throughout his hugely successful time at Turner Sims he has worked tirelessly to bring the best music and musicians to the audiences of Southampton. He is held in such high regard across the city, University and in the concert hall sector, championing the impact of music venues at the highest levels. In particular his passion and support for jazz music and musicians has seen Turner Sims develop a vibrant programme of up-and-coming and established artists that is the envy of others. The Strategic Board are so grateful for his hard work and dedication and warmly wish him well for the future.”

Are you a local music artist or band based in Southampton?

We’re inviting applications from both emerging and established acts and artists to perform on our outdoor stage. Whether you’re a solo artist, duo, full band or group. We welcome a diverse mix of genres – including jazz, folk, indie, soul, classical crossover, and more! The key is great live energy and a sound that fits an outdoor festival vibe.

This opportunity is open to both amateur and professional musicians. If you’re passionate about performing live and ready to bring your music to new audiences, we’d love to hear from you!

Each act will be given a dedicated time slot on our outdoor stage, creating a dynamic and engaging lineup of talent.

What will Turner Sims provide?

• This is a paid opportunity. All selected performers will receive a performance fee, with details provided upon booking
• Full technical support, including PA system and on-site sound engineers
• Marketing and promotion, with featured artist profiles across our website, social media, and festival materials
• A vibrant festival atmosphere with an engaged audience, providing excellent exposure for your music

What will performers need to provide?

• Your own instruments and any specialist equipment beyond our standard festival backline
• Transport and accommodation costs (unfortunately we are unable to provide these)
• A professional attitude and enthusiasm for making this festival a success!

How to get involved

Apply now and be part of a summer of live music at Turner Sims! Please complete this application form by 24 March.
Send in your application even if you’re less experienced! We are open to anyone from bands to dance to experimental performances. Our audience loves innovation, and we want to encourage the Southampton scene to flourish.

If you have questions before you apply please contact info@turnersims.co.uk / 023 8059 5151

If you would like to apply in a non-written format (for example voice recording or video) please email info@turnersims.co.uk or phone 023 8059 5151.

The duo craft a mesmerising soundscape that beautifully marries the rich heritage of Norwegian folk music with the contemporary. Their latest album, ‘Glimmer’, showcases the beauty of the Hardanger fiddle, which Nils plays with haunting grace. The instrument’s unique resonating strings create a shimmering tapestry woven with threads of emotion. Complementing this, Sigbjørn breathes new life into the harmonium. Drawing from his classical background, he integrates innovative elements into his arrangements while honouring traditional roots. This musical style is starkly different from the traditional English folk music FAYE typically play and through the concert and workshop created new paths for them to follow on their musical journey.

Within the workshop, FAYE were taught two Norwegian folk tunes. The first was a hymn called ‘O du min Immanuel’ (‘O You My Emmanuel’) which featured gentle, flowing phrases that allowed room for interpretation. To further the youth group’s understanding of their style of playing, Nils and Sigbjørn discussed the decisions behind their arrangement of the hymn and explained their method of improvisation around the melody. The second tune they taught was a dance tune called ‘Springen’ and Nils explained the different bowing techniques he had learned from various teachers. The duo then took the stage to perform for the FAYE members, followed by a Q&A. The ensemble expressed interest in the historic instruments, the hardanger and harmonium, and were given the opportunity to play them. This inspired a few members to start a ‘Harmonium Wish List’ for Christmas – because who wouldn’t want this magical instrument to get them through the holidays?

As a fellow musician, I found their innovative approach to arrangement truly inspiring, leading me to learn my first Norwegian tunes, which has sparked a desire to explore more Scandinavian folk music. Fern, another member of FAYE, said: ‘we learnt two very new and contrasting tunes. Nils recommended, when you’re learning a new tune, to look at someone else’s bow which was really useful.’ Marnie, also from FAYE, added, ‘the tunes were very fun to learn, and I found the harmonium and hardanger very interesting’.

We would like to give a huge thank you to Kevin Appleby and Turner Sims for funding and hosting the workshop. This opportunity ignited a passion for Scandinavian folk traditions that will resonate in FAYE’s future performances, highlighting the importance of collaboration and the shared joy of music, and ensuring that the spirit of folk traditions continues to thrive in contemporary settings.

Find out more about FAYE

Do you have a project idea you want to develop and present to new audiences live? Are you ready to develop your craft and boost your professional career? We will help you develop your project and provide a national platform for you to perform it.

Audiences have been travelling miles to experience the joy of music at Turner Sims since 1974. Rising stars, including a young Simon Rattle, have been a marker of the programme here throughout history. But so too have the many musical icons and legendary artists who return time and again, inspired by our special hall and the welcome they receive. We feel privileged to have shared a world of music with so many brilliant people.

Designing a fitting concert to celebrate everything people love about Turner Sims was a tall order. Concert Hall Manager Kevin Appleby rose to the challenge with a diverse programme spanning every genre from classical and jazz to folk and reggae!