PREPARATIONS for the biggest party Southampton has seen in years are in full swing as stages and tents are erected for this weekend’s Common People.

Tens of thousands of people are set to head to the Common to see some of the biggest acts in the world appear on stage in the city centre.

Scaffolding teams are currently working to turn a section of the Common, known as the Flats, into the festival site with three tents and a food area.

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Organised by the team behind the Isle of Wight’s Bestival festival and Camp Bestival in Dorset, Hampshire DJ Rob Da Bank is the man in charge.

Already more than 35,000 tickets have been sold with some still available to buy and Rob is hoping that people will enjoy what’s on offer.

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With his first DJ set at the Rhino club in Southampton, Rob (pictured above) is now looking forward to bringing a party to the city centre.

For the father-of-three it’s the product of months of planning.

“We’re really pleased that we’ve sold over 35,000 tickets already. A lot of people are coming from Southampton but there’s people from all over the South Coast, Portsmouth, Brighton, Bournemouth,” he said.

“It’s amazing. To be on site for the build seeing Southampton Common being transformed into a festival, it’s very flat and compact compared to what we’re used to [at Bestival on the Isle of Wight and Camp Bestival in Dorset].

“I can’t wait to open the gates on Saturday and see all the people roll in.”

He added: “To do this in Southampton where I did my first gig, where I saw my first band is really exciting.

“It’s down to a huge team of people who help me. But it’s also the people that come and the make the party happen.”

Megastars such as Fatboy Slim and Grace Jones are set to headline on the Saturday and Sunday nights respectively while Southampton rock group Band of Skulls, hip hop pioneers De La Soul and dance sensation Clean Bandit will be warming up the party.

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Folk-punk troubadour Sean McGowan.

Local sensations Dead Rabbits, Charley Macaulay and Sean McGowan are also set to entertain the crowd along with DJ Yoda and George the Poet.

As well as the main stage, there will also be a family-themed tent known as the Big Top, and an Uncommon Stage featuring rising stars.

Food and drink will also be on offer at the event at the Day of the Dead Cocktail bus where bands will be performing and families can be entertained with a range of acts.

He hoped that while people would be thrilled to see some of the big name stars he hoped people would take the time to go and see some of the other names that aren’t well know.

“I think it’s a match made in heaven to get a name like Grace Jones playing here in Southampton,” Rob added.

“We’ve got the Uncommon Stage which is going to be showcasing 20 or 25 of the best south coast bands.

"Some of these are destined for big things.”

The box office opens at 9.30am on Saturday and Sunday and gates open at 10.30am. The music will finish at 11pm.

Day or weekend tickets remain are available.