RISING music stars will be heading to a Southampton club tonight for a protest gig against a controversial documentary being filmed in the city.

Bands from across the south will be gracing the stage at The Joiners in St Mary Street to show their support for a community at the centre of a Channel 4 documentary.

Singer-songwriter and winner of Millbrook’s Got Talent Sean McGowan is one of the acts performing who will be speaking out against Immigration Street.

Other acts appearing include garage rock group Elephantantrum, Fareham’s Accrington Stanley, singer-songwriter Jack Howson from Eastleigh, and poet Angela Chicken from St Mary’s and rock band Jealous Michael from Southampton.

Outspoken Muslim campaigner Mohammed Ansar from Winchester will also be speaking.

Mohammed was one half of a BBC Three documentary called When Tommy Met Mo, when English Defence League founder Tommy Robinson invited Mohammed to speak to the EDL about Islam.

Tonight’s gig at the St Mary Street venue has been co-organised by students at the Academy of Music and Sound.

It comes as organisers urge people to attend the event and show their support.

Co-organiser Paul McGeachie has been spearheading tonight’s concert.

He said: “I’m hoping hundreds of people will turn up, there’s been a lot of interest. I’m delighted with the range of acts performing. There’s a lot of talent from the area that have come forward to take part in the event.

“It’s a protest gig but it’s also a celebration of the St Mary’s area. Every time you turn on the TV there’s always something that shows it in a negative light.

“We want to show a positive counterpoint by trying to give a true voice to the St Mary’s area.”

Filmed by Love Productions the programme is a spin-off to Benefit Street and focuses on immigration rather than life on the dole.

It centres around the lives of people living on or near Derby Road but has seen a backlash from members of the community.

The production, which began in April, has also seen camera crews pelted with eggs and flour while others have called for its name to be changed.

The concert comes a month before campaigners will travel up to London to protest outside Channel 4’s offices in London on January 31.

Singer-songwriter Just Millie opens the event at 3pm with all proceeds going to the Saints Foundation. Tickets cost £5 on the door, and doors close at midnight.