THE countdown is well underway and the excitement is building for the biggest party in years.

There are just three days to go until Southampton's newest festival, Common People, opens its gates.

Tens of thousands of revellers will dig out their wellies and head down to Southampton Common this weekend for a chart topping lineup.

Acts including Fatboy Slim, Grace Jones, Band of Skulls and Years and Years will all take to the stage as organiser and former Radio One presenter Rob da Bank brings a taste of the Isle of Wight's Camp Bestival to the city.

People across the south have taken to social media as they count down to the event - hoping for good weather.

And the festival has received backing from city officials as well.

Leader of Southampton City Council Cllr Simon Letts said: "I think it's a brilliant new event for the city and we're hoping to extend this for next year.

"It's really positive for the city to put something on for young people as that's a big part of the demographic. Putting something on for them is what we're about."

Organiser, former Radio One Presenter Rob da Bank, pictured below, said: "We wanted to start a new show to spread a bit of Bestival love across the south coast and Southampton Common is just the perfect place for a party. The city is full of incredible talent and we wanted to shout about it.

Daily Echo:

"Common People is all about bringing together as much amazing local stuff as we can find, and mixing it up with some of our favourite acts like the incredible Grace Jones, one-man rave Norman Cook, hip-hop legends De La Soul, chart-toppers Clean Bandit and the brilliant Years & Years to name just a few.

"And we’ll have a whole boatload of Bestival fun and games there, too, like yarn bombing, hoedowns, delicious street food, our unbelievable Day of the Dead Cocktail Bus, a toddlers’ play area and loads more May bank holiday shenanigans."

A spectacular fireworks display will bring the party to a close on both Saturday and Sunday.

There will also be an array of other entertainment including theatre, dance, arts and crafts and Southampton choirs will perform both days.

A spokesman for the event said the last few tickets were selling fast.

However, there will be some day tickets available on the gates both days.

The gates open at 10.30am.