The spring bank holiday is looming and so does the thought of being stuck in traffic on the motorways, fighting to get the best spot on the beach or even planning a get together with the family. But if none of these take your fancy then why not check out the Common People Festival on May 27 and 28.
In its third year, Common People returns to Southampton and will also play host to Oxford for a second year. The Common People Festival is a two day festival to kick off the festival season in style, bringing together music and DJs, street food, bars and everything inbetween.
Taking place on Southampton Common and Oxford’s South Park, Common People sees Pete Tong and The Heritage Orchestra conducted by Jules Buckley headlining on the Saturday night in Southampton (Sunday night for Oxford) supplying festival goers with their Ibiza classics house extravaganza.
Sunday sees Jamaican dancehall legend Sean Paul close the festival in Southampton, and he is set to bring hits from his six hit albums, with a warning “expect things to get heavy!” (Saturday headliner for Oxford).
The two day event will see a range of acts heading to the festival’s main stage, the Common stage, including Brit Award-winning singer/songwriter Tom Odell and UK hip hop artist Loyle Carner who has been regarded as “Britain’s great new hope in hip hop”. (Both acts making appearances on Saturday).
The reins are handed over to the likes of art rockers British Sea Power, who are set to bring a set that “promises to be one of the highlights of the weekend”, according to the festival page, as well as indie rockers Wild Beasts.
If you’re still not sold then get ready as the festival has something for everyone with three stages packed full of music and DJs, with the Uncommon Stage presented by The Joiners bringing the best in upcoming folk, indie and rock bands with the likes of Black Honey and The Magic Gang playing over the weekend.
The best DJs will also be on supply throughout the weekend with Faithless’ own Sister Bliss taking to the Common Stage on Saturday to show off fifteen years in the electronica scene, residencies at The Ministry of Sound in London and Pacha in Ibiza.
If you want to step away from the electronic music, Southampton’s very own Soul45 will be on hand to give you a championing selection of 45RPM/7” vinyl playing classic Motown, disco, roots reggae, golden hip hop and more, a definite for fans of the old-school.
No worries if you have young ones with you, there is plenty to do with the Bigtopmania Kids Theatre and Circus which will provide fun-filled activities, experiences, random entertainment and a full programme of theatre shows and crafts to keep the little ones entertained.
It’s a bank holiday, which for many festival goers is a time to relax and enjoy a refreshing alcoholic beverage, and with an array of bars located across the festival, there is in no way a lack of choice. The Jam Jar Bar is a boutique liquor lounge with large selection of cocktails on offer, whilst you sip on your Rhubarb Martini enjoy the vintage parasols and rustic canopies.
When the sun sets on your Saturday night but festival goers are not ready to call it a day, then they’re in luck as Southampton’s newest venue Suburbia is hosting an after party, where attendees will receive free pizza and hold host to indie and pop jams, with festival outfits being welcomed with open arms.
Or maybe you fancy venturing down to The Joiners for the Club Psychedelia after party, which as of yet, has a secret line up for the night’s shenanigans. Both events are set to start at 22:00 till late.
Tickets for the Common People Festival in Southampton and Oxford are still available here and here, and more details about the festival can be found here.
Words by Matt Smith
