FESTIVAL GUIDE: Common People

Name: Common People

Where: Oxford’s South Park and Southampton Common

When: 28th & 29th May

Headliners: Duran Duran, Primal Scream, Craig David’s TS5

Also Featuring: Katy B, Chas & Dave, Public Enemy, Palma Violets, Jamie Lawson, Pretty Vicious, The Sugarhill Gang, Gaz Coombes…

A Brief History: Common People is yet another of Rob Da Bank’s creations, falling under the Bestival umbrella (and it’s held over a bank holiday weekend so you’re probably going to need one). Now in its second year, Common People has expanded to become a two-site event, held in Southampton (within spitting distance of the Isle Of Wight, where Da Bestival takes place) and Oxford. Like the little cousin of Bestival, last year featured dance acts and obscurities, with Clean Bandit and Fatboy Slim headlining, and Grace Jones, Mr Motivator and Years & Years appearing elsewhere.

How To Get There: There are no car parks so don’t go expecting to pull up your bumper next to the main stage (little Grace Jones joke there to tie in with the last bit). Both sites have park & ride services and shuttle buses from the major, local train stations. More information can be found here for Oxford or here for Southampton

Gigslutz Top Tip: This is a non-camping festival klaxon, so get onto Airbnb sharpish.

Memorable Moments: Having headlined Bestival’s 10th Birthday bash it was only fitting that Fatboy Slim was at the first Common People, and with a choir onstage for ‘Eat. Sleep. Rave. Repeat’ and lasers, beach balls and bangers throughout, it’s clear there was no one else for the job.

Did You Know? Common People is one of four annual festivals organised by Rob Da Bank, with Bestival, the family friendly Camp Bestival and Bestival Toronto also taking place throughout the year.

How To Get Tickets: Day or weekend tickets are available through ticketline.

The Playlist:

Dan Bull
@danbull7609

Dan Bull

Dan Bull

Reviews Editor
London. Likes: Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, Prince Charles Cinema, Duran Duran Dislikes: Soreen, All-hits setlists, "I liked them before everyone else..."
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About Dan Bull
London. Likes: Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, Prince Charles Cinema, Duran Duran Dislikes: Soreen, All-hits setlists, "I liked them before everyone else..."