Re-Sound: Southamptons First Alcohol-Free Music Festival Set for July 25

The Brook, a community arts venue in Southampton, will host Re‑Sound, an alcohol‑free music festival, on Saturday, July 25. The event runs from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and is a partnership between The Brook, the Society of St James (SSJ) and the local music organisation SOCO.

Re‑Sound is designed to raise funds for SSJ, a charity that supports people facing homelessness, substance misuse, mental‑health challenges and other disadvantages across Southampton, Portsmouth and Hampshire. The festival also aims to change public perceptions of the charity and to raise awareness of the services it provides.

Paul Williams, director of The Brook, said: “The Brook has always been about community, and we wanted to use our venue and the power of music to do something tangible for the Society of St James. Being in the music industry, I have seen first‑hand the negative effects drugs and alcohol can have on a person, so I am passionate about helping SSJ reach more people who desperately need their help.”

The programme will include live music performances, a series of inspiring talks and a networking hub for attendees who are looking for support or career opportunities. The festival’s schedule and line‑up have not yet been released, but organisers have confirmed that the event will feature local musicians and speakers who can share personal stories and professional advice.

Tickets are priced from £10 and can be purchased directly through The Brook’s website. The venue’s box office also sells tickets on the day, but the online option is the primary sales channel.

Re‑Sound follows a growing trend of alcohol‑free events in the UK, but it is the first of its kind in Southampton. The festival is positioned as a community‑focused alternative to traditional music festivals, with an emphasis on health, wellbeing and social inclusion.

The Society of St James has a long history of working with vulnerable populations. According to the charity’s own materials, it provides housing, support services and employment programmes for people who have experienced multiple disadvantages. The partnership with The Brook and SOCO is intended to broaden the charity’s reach by engaging a wider audience through music and community events.

SOCO, short for Southampton Community, is a not‑for‑profit music organisation that has run community‑based projects in the city for several years. Its involvement in Re‑Sound brings a local music network to the festival, helping to source performers and speakers.

The Brook, located at 466 Portswood Road, has hosted a variety of cultural events since its opening. The venue’s management has stated that Re‑Sound will be a flagship event for the 2026 season, and that proceeds will be directed to SSJ’s programs.

The festival’s organisers have not yet announced a detailed programme, but they have confirmed that the event will run for four hours and that the focus will be on community engagement rather than commercial music sales.

Tickets are available now, and the event is expected to attract local residents, charity supporters and music enthusiasts who are interested in a sober, community‑driven festival experience.

Re‑Sound represents a new model for charity fundraising that combines live music, educational talks and networking opportunities in a single, alcohol‑free setting. The partnership between The Brook, SSJ and SOCO demonstrates how cultural venues can collaborate with social organisations to create events that serve both artistic and social objectives.

The festival will take place on Saturday, July 25, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at The Brook, Southampton. Tickets start at £10 and can be purchased through the venue’s website. The event is open to the public and aims to raise funds, change perceptions and increase awareness of the Society of St James’s work.

The festival’s organisers have not yet released a full line‑up or a detailed schedule, but they have confirmed that the programme will include live music, talks and a networking hub. The event is expected to draw a diverse audience interested in community, music and social support.

Attendees can expect a four‑hour programme that blends performance, discussion and networking, all within a sober environment. The event is part of a broader movement to create alcohol‑free spaces that promote wellbeing and community engagement.

Tickets are available through The Brook’s website, and the venue’s box office will also sell tickets on the day. The festival is a collaboration between The Brook, the Society of St James and SOCO, and it aims to raise funds for the charity while promoting a healthier, community‑focused approach to music events.

The event will conclude at 6 p.m., and organisers will announce the next steps for the partnership and future events once the festival has finished.