GET ready to rock!

Around 10,000 revellers will descend on Southampton Common today as the city hosts the annual Let’s Rock festival.

Back for its fourth year, this celebration of 1980s music has a stellar line-up of 12 acts with joint headliners The Human League and former Spandau Ballet front man Tony Hadley closing the show.

READ: Let's Rock Southampton - as it happens >>>

Chesney Hawkes of The One and Only fame is set to kick off the music at 12 noon with a host of retro stars entertaining fans right up to 10.30 tonight.

Also on the bill are: Howard Jones, Belinda Carlisle, ABC, Kid Creole & The Coconuts, Imagination, Hue & Cry, Hazel O’Connor, Katrina and Living In A Box.

This action-packed day of music and madness from the decade that fashion forgot, will once again see the Common transformed into a colourful fiesta of fancy dress.

Expect plenty of neon and lycra and party-goers dressed as their favourite stars from the era.

Gates will be open by 10am to allow for extra security checks.

Organiser Steve Hayward stressed that following the terrorist attack at the Ariana Grande concert in Manchester safety is at the top of their agenda.

He advised people to travel light to avoid delays with security checks as they enter the site.

“In the light of the Manchester Arena terrorism attack I must stress security has always been of paramount importance but it is even more so now.

“So we are working even closer with the police and safety advisors to ensure everyone is as safe as possible. We are asking people to only bring what’s necessary with you. Please try and limit items you bring as everything is being checked.”

Steve added: “There will be ‘pat downs’ and sniffer dogs and festival goers are not allowed to bring their own alcohol to the event or any glass. Soft drinks can be brought in that are unopened. If they are half open people will be asked to throw them in the bin. Picnics are allowed but they will be checked; you can’t bring anything like sharp knives.”

Summing up the popularity of Let’s Rock Steve added: “You get an awful lot of entertainment packed into one day - ten or more acts from that era on stage in one day. People grew up listening to this music; everyone has a special song that means something to them and seeing these performers all these years on means so much to them.

“They probably never imagined ever seeing these people live but so many of these acts are even better than they were back in the day - and their voices just get better.

“Tony Hadley’s voice has certainly never sounded better.”

Children can enjoy circus workshops with the Bigtopmania Circus, a funfair, face painting and crafts at the family friendly festival.