IT'S a fake kind of magic for Hampshire rock fans as they look forward to the city’s newest music festival.

Up to 2,000 tickets are on sale for a one day summer concert in Southampton.

But this is no ordinary line-up - the headliners are all tribute acts with a reputation for doppelganger looks and uncanny sound-a-like sets.

Fake Festival is the UK’s only touring tribute festival and celebrates its tenth anniversary this year with a new Mayflower Park date.

The three acts rocking the crowds on July 30 will be the Really Hot Chili Peppers and Oasish, with Queen tribute band Flash headlining.

Local acts The Dead Freights, The Scheme, Mountain Feet and Davey Jones’ Locker will also take to the stage as support.

Owner of the Fake Festivals brand Jez Lee said: “All our front men are great but our Freddie Mercury guy has got the energy, panache and adrenaline that Freddie had.

"He’s a real crowd pleaser.

"He gets right into the crowd and he’s a phenomenal performer.

“Our Liam guy is great as well – he does all that stuff like playing the tambourine on his head – it’s quite spooky.

"And when you look at the crowd you can see they’re there – back at Knebworth or wherever it was they saw them originally.

“We’ve been doing it now for ten years and we have a stable of around 20 bands who perform with us all around the country.

“We’ve chosen them as they’re the best in their field.

"They’re popular because they’re as good as the real thing, they play every Friday Saturday and Sunday night and they’re really really tight as a band.

“People like to go where they’re going to know all the songs and these guys take it to another level – they even have the same equipment, so the same guitars, amps and drum kits.

"It’s got to be authentic. The bands want to be the best and give the most authentic day out.

"The Freddie guy has the same jacket and the same shades.”

Head of culture at Southampton City Council Cllr Satvir Kaur said: "Southampton is definitely the place where something is always happening, especially with our music and sports events.

"They bring loads of people and investment to the city."

There will be a main bar inside the marquee, and a variety of food and entertainment stalls in the outside arena as well as picnic benches, face painting and games and inflatables for children.

Discounted early bird tickets are on sale until June 30 from www.fakefestivals.co.uk, and cost £17.50 for adults, £10.00 for young people aged 10 – 17 years, £45.00 for a family of two adults and two young people, with under tens getting in free.

Ticketholders for the Southampton date will also get 50 per cent discount on tickets for The Big Fake Festival this year at Thoresby Park in Nottinghamshire.