THE organiser of Oxford’s Common People has described it as “the perfect weekend” as 10,000 music-lovers descended on South Park for each day of the weekend festival.
Promoter and DJ Rob da Bank said he was delighted with the turnout for the third instalment of the festival, which came to a rousing finale end last night.
Despite gloomy weather forecasts, festival-goers basked in the sun for what many described as the best Common People yet.
Highlights included crowd-pleasing sets by The Jacksons and by Prince’s former band the New Power Generation, and a sublime performance by chill-out band Morcheeba.
Saturday’s line-up had a disco theme, and also featured shows by veteran pop act Boney M and reggae stars Aswad. Yesterday’s proceedings were more rocky, with Oxford indie-rock band Ride and Manchester band James signed up to jointly headline the festival.
Other attractions included the world’s biggest bouncy castle and Oxford Djs Count Skylarkin’ and Peepshow Paddy’s Disco Shed, as well as stages programmed by Oxford music magazine Nightshift and the Cowley Road Carnival.
Ride’, the four-piece of Mark Gardener, Andy Bell, Steve Queralt and Loz Colbert, had been favourites to headline the festival since its first year, but this was the first time their hectic touring and recording schedule had allowed them to play the huge hometown show.
“We have been looking forward to playing Common People festival,” said frontman, and former Cheney School pupil Mark Gardener. “It’s a special moment to play the same Ox4 park I used to sit in with Andy during school days daring to dream of being in a band together one day!”
Rob da Bank was on site for the whole weekend, and took time out to catch some of his favourite bands. He said: “When I arrived on Saturday morning and saw the weather, I’ll admit I was a bit worried, but it turned into a beautiful weekend.
“It’s been great and you only needed to walk around to see how much people enjoyed themselves. And even though I book the acts, I’d forgotten how diverse it all is!”
He added: “Saturday’s disco day was a riot of glitter while yesterday saw more guitars and fewer sequins, but was equally fun.
“It has been amazing; a perfect weekend and a great way to kick off the festival season.”
Among those enjoying the music was Julia Atkinson, from Summertown, who also sold fancy cup cakes from her Happy Cakes bakery. She decorated a special batch for Ride which she presented to the band before their set. She said: “It’s been a fantastic weekend and thank heavens the sun came out. It’s been really lovely.”
DJ and radio presenter Greg Butler was playing vintage gramophone records on his Pigs Big Ballroom stage. He said: “This is just what Oxford needs - and you could see how much people enjoyed it. It’s great to see people of all ages dancing to the same music and loving it.”
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