A MAJOR new music festival from the organisers of Bestival will take place in Oxford’s South Park next May.

Common People is to feature a mix of international bands and DJs, as well as a variety of local acts.

The festival, run in conjunction with Oxford City Council, will be held on May 28 and 29.

The two-day event, the brainchild of DJ Rob Da Bank, will hope to better last year’s OxfordOxford festival, which was cancelled with a week to go because of poor ticket sales.

Fans had also heard rumoured withdrawals of star acts including Katy B.

For next year’s festival, the park will have a capacity of 30,000 people.

City councillor Mark Lygo, board member for leisure, sport and events, said: “This is going to be a fantastic event for Oxford, bringing world-class bands and DJs to the city for the first time. “The organisers have more than a decade’s experience putting on the award-winning Bestival, which earlier this year featured Missy Elliott, Duran Duran and the Chemical Brothers.

“I cannot wait to find out who they will be bringing to Oxford next year.

“I’m also really pleased that, from the start of our conversations with them, the organisers have been keen to promote local talent, meaning Oxford’s promoters, schools and musicians will get to perform at Common People Oxford alongside the world-famous acts.”

Visitors will also enjoy stalls selling food and drink, a kids’ area and other fun activities.

Fans can sign up for the festival’s mailing list for an exclusive 24-hour pre-sale, while a hundred randomly chosen people will be able to buy a day ticket for £10. Regular prices will be announced shortly.

The festival will be twinned with the Common People event in Southampton held on the same Spring Bank Holiday weekend. Both festivals will share some of the acts, with each including local bands and DJs.

Bestival, held annually on the Isle of Wight, attracted about 50,000 revellers in September.