Some festivals are defined by their spirit of cultural celebration, and few capture that better than Music in the City in Southampton. Now in its 17th year, the festival has always been about bringing music into some of the most iconic and unusual settings Southampton has to offer, showcasing local talent, and uniting communities.
This year, under the guidance of Chris Orr, something truly unique happened: a Silent Disco in a 650-year-old Medieval Wine Cellar. Let’s explore how this wonderful idea became reality!
Turning an Ancient Monument into a Dance Floor
Chris first connected with our Key Account Manager Camilla at the annual gathering of the Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) in Bristol. A brief chat and a lucky coincidence turned into incredible inspiration:
“I run a festival that a Silent Disco would be perfect for. So I immediately thought, ‘Yes, let’s do this!’ Then, by a lucky coincidence, we were both in Southampton, and the unique venue I had in mind was there too.”
Staging a Silent Disco in such a historic venue was no small feat. The venue, Quilter’s Vault, had no electricity, and being a listed ancient monument meant layers of red tape and approvals from Southampton City Council.
Chris and his team worked hand in hand with the heritage and conservation team, covering everything from health and safety to risk management and security. Silent Disco King supported the logistics, while local DJs brought the music. Against the odds, the event came together.
“The hire, support, setup and quality was all excellent from Silent Disco King, we couldn’t have asked for any more”, Chris reflects.
A Platform for Local Artists
Music in the City has long celebrated Southampton’s rich musical diversity. But until recently, the focus was mainly on bands and live musicians. Under new management in 2024, Chris decided to expand the festival’s representation of the local music scene, and DJs jumped at the chance.
“We had over 40 DJs asked to play this year”, he says. “The Silent Disco was a great way to bring lots of them together under the one (stone) roof. The three channel setup and one hour slots each for six hours meant we could have 18 DJs play.”
At its core, Music in the City is more than a festival. It’s a movement to support the diversity of music in Southampton and showcase the city’s heritage and culture. The Silent Disco in the Quilter’s Vault embodied all of this: merging history, innovation, and community into a celebration no one will forget.
What’s Next
This year’s Silent Disco in the Medieval wine cellar was just the beginning. The Silent Disco will return to future editions of Music in the City, giving DJs a platform while offering audiences something truly different.
Whether it’s in pubs, squares, event venues, or stone-walled cellars, Music in the City is about one thing: sharing music and making memories in the heart of Southampton.
Find out more about Music in the City here!
Thank you to Chris Orr for sharing the story behind this unique Silent Disco and Tony Palmer (@shot_by_tony) for the photos!
