WITH the third Common People music festival taking place this weekend, the Echo takes a look at when music first came to Southampton Common.

It was the common land once used for grazing animals and foraging, now mostly used for sporting, dog walking, taking in nature and enjoying the regular fairs.

Things changed on May 21, 1995 when the 365 acres of green space played host to a large pop music show for the first time.

Power FM held the first Power in the Park, bringing Southampton Common alive with the sound of music and the buzz of locals enjoying the acts.

Up to 100,000 party-goers turned up to see their favourites, including Let Loose, Sean Maguire and Bitty McLean.

Excitement levels were so high youngsters had to be plucked from the front of the crowds to prevent them from being crushed – luckily nobody was hurt.

There were problems with the sound, and many of the acts chose to mime, but that didn’t stop revellers from enjoying the four-hour-long show in the glorious sunshine.