Rob da Bank, the man behind Common People festival, tells Tim Hughes why this weekend's South Park spectacular really is Oxford's own party

ROB da Bank is feeling excited.

The man behind Oxford's debut Common People festival has been inspecting progress in South Park, where the stage is – quite literally – set for the weekend's festivities.

"It is looking really good," he says. "Things are pretty hectic but we are all looking forward to Saturday. Oxford hasn't had a big festival on its doorstep for a while, and we hope people come along and enjoy it."

The dance music DJ, promoter and father -of-three – real name Robert Gorham – has a proven track record in running successful festivals, in the shape of the long-running Bestival and Camp Bestival events, held, respectively, on the Isle of Wight and in Dorset.

But for now all eyes are on South Park, where a mini town, with a potential population of 30,000 people, is taking shape – complete with stages, lights, fences, hospitality tents, bars, food stalls and a huge speaker system, the likes of which have never been seen before.

Not since Radiohead played their homecoming show here in 2001 has there been such a palpable sense of something culturally significant about to break lose.

Over the course of two days scores of bands and artists – ranging from international rock acts to local performers, DJs and community groups – will grace three stages – and a further two dance areas hosted by East Oxford DJs Aidan 'Count Skylarkin' Larkin and Peepshow Paddy playing tunes from specially-adapted garden sheds – or Disco Sheds.

Big name acts include new romantics Duran Duran, pop-dance singer Kay B, Soul II Soul, Jamie Lawson and Chas & Dave on Saturday; and indie-rockers Primal Scream, former Supergrass frontman turned Mercury-nominated solo star Gaz Coombes, hip-hop acts Public Enemy and The Sugarhill Gang and Craig David on Sunday.

Then there are the novelty acts – The Cuban Brothers, The Chuckle Brothers and Mr Motivator.

Kidlington's David Rodigan presents his Ram Jam on the Uncontained second stage, along with a bill of reggae, dance and hip-hop, while a third Uncommon People stage, curated by Ronan Munro of Oxford's free music magazine Nightshift, features nine local acts each day _ headlined by vintage jazz and blues collective The Original Rabbit Foot Spasm Band on Saturday and Eastern European-style party band The Balkan Wanderers on Sunday.

"We whole thing is coming together nicely," says Rob, who cuts a distinctive figure with his ponytail and beaming smile. We only got on site this week, so everything happens quickly in one go.

"There is always a whirlwind, with rushing around like headless chickens, then a strange air of calm – then on Saturday everyone will see what a lovely site South Park has become.

With 13 years in the festival game, Rob can afford to take things in his stride. And he is quietly confident that it will be a weekend to remember.

"I don't get freaked out," he says. "It's going to happen whatever the weather and whatever anyone does. let it roll!

"A big party is going to happen and people are going to have a good time."

He says the festival is not only a party, but a showcase of Oxford talent and a chance for the community to come together, with entertainment also provided by the Blackbird Leys-based Leys Community Development Initiative and Cowley Road Works – the team behind the Cowley Road Carnival.

“We are not a bunch of fly-by-night operators doing a quick one," he grins.

"Oxford has such a rich musical heritage and that needs exposing. This is not a slam-dunk where we come in and sell 30,000 tickets. We want to make Common People feel like Oxford’s festival."

The event, which will run from 11am to 11pm over the two days, will have no camping. A programme of daytime events is designed to appeal to families and children.

"Common People will be more sedate than most festivals, but certainly not boring," he smiles.

"I picture people moseying down, having picnics and chilling out, enjoying an ale or a cocktail, then as it gets into the evening it will turn into more of a party. It will all be over by 11pm and people will dissipate quietly and come back happy the next day."

He adds: "A lot of people want to be out until the wee hours and crash out in a tent and then do it all again, but for other people, the very idea fills them with fear!

"They want to go home, take 12 hours off, sleep in a proper bed, have a nice breakfast and do it again in a fresh change of clothes – which is what we'll be doing at Common People.

"It's a more chic way of doing it."

A sister Common People event launched last year and will also take place this weekend on Southampton Common (hence the name).

The choice of Oxford for the second event owes much to Rob’s manager Ben Turner – a local man who went to school just up the road from the park at Cheney, in Headington.

Rob says: "As with every festival we do, the most important thing is local interaction and giving something back – with benefits to the local economy, whether it be taxi drivers, hotels, bars and shops.

"There is a lot of local input, with food producers, the Cowley Road Carnival people doing a bar, and our collaboration with Nightshift bringing a wider local line-up. Then there are all the Oxford DJs and, of course, the Disco Shed. We love that English eccentricity they bring to the party.

"We hope that shows we are holding a festival for Oxford – and that Oxford people want a festival, as well as us."

He adds: "The aim is to leave the park as we found it and give it back to local people in perfect condition."

He looks around, smiles and adds: "The word on the street is that everyone is coming down!"

"Ticket sales are good and we are hoping for a last minute walk-up on each day. Now we are just keeping our fingers crossed for the weather..."

Common People takes place on Saturday and Sunday in South Park, Oxford. For tickets got to commonpeople.net