Tapestry Festival

TAPESTRY Festival was a free two-day music festival held at Westquay Esplanade on 19 and 20 July 2025, bringing live music, new commissions and participatory activity to the heart of Southampton against the backdrop of the city’s medieval walls.

Sponsored and hosted by Westquay, the festival brought together internationally recognised artists with Southampton talent, creating a platform for live music spanning different genres, cultures and traditions.

TAPESTRY formed part of Southampton’s celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth. Inspired by Austen’s own enjoyment of music and folk traditions, the festival explored what the music she was drawn to might look and sound like today – focusing on contemporary artists whose work embraced storytelling, experimentation and musical traditions from around the world.

The connection continued beyond the main stage. Screen content between performances showcased locally created work linked to Jane Austen 250, including Jane Who? by In Focus Education and Development and song performances by local schools following workshops delivered by Southampton & Isle of Wight Music.

Audiences could also take part in free creative activities throughout the weekend, including African drumming with African Activities and movement and percussion workshops led by Yes! Creative Beats.

Performances from TAPESTRY were recorded by BBC Radio 3 and subsequently broadcast as part of its Music Planet programme in August 2025, sharing music from the festival with a national audience.

By combining a high-quality live music programme with new commissions, local talent, participation and Southampton’s literary heritage, TAPESTRY created a major free cultural experience for the city – connecting its stories and creative heritage with the music and artists shaping Southampton today.