WITH just two more days to go before the gates open at Oxford's new Common People festival, the site in South Park is already taking shape.

A huge stage dominates the park, accompanied by lighting stacks, fencing, hospitality tents, bars and lots of portable loos.

Scores of bands and artists are set to play the two-day event – headlined by 80s pop act Duran Duran on Saturday and indie-rockers Primal Scream on Sunday. Also appearing are dance music star Katy B, hip-hop acts Public Enemy and Sugarhill Gang and Wheatley artist Gaz Coombes, among many others.

The site has capacity for 30,000 people, though organisers are expecting for fewer than that for the event's first year.

Festival organiser Rob da Bank said work would continue tomorrow with the final touches put in place on Friday, in time for Saturday's opening.

He said: "This is the hard part, as we only get on site a few days before the festival is due to start. It's a whirlwind with people rushing around like headless chickens, but everyone will see what a lovely site it is on Saturday. We can't wait!"

  • Rob da Bank talks about Oxford's big musical weekend in The Guide, in tomorrow's Oxford Mail.
  • In tomorrow's Oxford Times, Roger Taylor of Duran Duran talks fame, glamour and the band's second coming.