ONE of Oxford's greatest bands are to play their biggest hometown show by headlining a festival in the heart of the city.

Indie-rock band Ride will headline the Sunday line-up at Common People festival in South Park in a joint headline set with pop act James.

Saturday's disco-themed line-up is headed up by The Jacksons, who will play in the shadow of the world's largest disco ball, which will be suspended over the park.

The festival over the late May Bank Holiday weekend will also feature the world's biggest bouncy castle.

Organiser, DJ Rob da Bank said: “It’s been quite some ride putting together the Common People line ups for 2018.

"We love South Park in Oxford a lot and it’s become one of our favourite places to throw a party.

"This year will be super special, with legendary Oxford band Ride coming back to South Park. Co-headliners James are the cherry on the cake.

"Our Disco Day on Saturday also promises to be super funky.

"My personal highlight has to be Prince’s unbeatable backing band The New Power Generation coming over from the States for a one-off weekend with us.

"Add in all the local Oxford bands and DJs and a real focus on family fun and entertainment and I promise you a magical May weekend awaits”.

Other acts to play the third instalment of the two-day event on May 26 and 27, include Sparks, Boney M, The Cuban Brothers, Aswad, Jungle Brothers and Hak Baker on Saturday, and Maximo Park, The Sherlocks, Honeyblood, Low Island, Cut Capers, Chainska Brassika and Elvana – an Elvis fronted Nirvana tribute band.

Sunday will also feature a set by The London African Gospel Choir who will perform songs from Paul Simon's Graceland.

A smaller carnival stage features General Levy, Craig Charles, Fred V & Grafix on Saturday and DJs from Oxford's Simple club nights on the Sunday – including Heidi, Haai, Em Williams, James Weston, Ebenezer, Rodney P & Skitz.

Local bands will once again play the Uncommon Stage, hosted by Oxford's music monthly Nightshift. They include Deadbeat Apostles, Tiger Mendoza, The August List and a set by Inner Peace Records on the Saturday, and Brickwork Lizards, The Great Western Tears, Drore, Msry, Lucy Leave and the Young Women's Music Project on the Sunday.

More bands are yet to be announced.

Also returning will be Count Skylarkin and Peepshow Paddy's popular Disco Shed – a DJ booth in a real garden shed – complete with hanging baskets and gnomes.

Ride - Mark Gardener, Laurence ‘Loz’ Colbert, Andy Bell and Steve Queralt were one of the most influential bands of the 90s achieving huge success. Last year they released their first album for two decades, Weather Diaries, launching it with a show at Oxford's New Theatre.

Their reunion is one of the greatest comebacks in rock & roll history. It has seen them tour the world, headline festivals and attract huge critical acclaim.

Mark Gardener said:"I'm really happy that Ride will play Common People in the same park that Andy and I used to bunk off in our Cheney School days and dare to dream about being in a band together one day!

"We've been wanting to play Common People since the first one but until this year the timing has not worked for us.

"Rob da Bank is a top man and friend and his festivals are always great. After many festival shows around the world along with our New Theatre show last year which I loved, it's definitely time to bring it all back home and play to the Oxford pirates again!"

Oxford city councillor Dee Sinclair, board member for culture and communities, said “We are looking forward to welcoming Common People back to Oxford for a third year.

“Each year it is an extremely popular event and has quickly become embedded in the Oxford summer experience."

Since being launched by the team behind the award-winning Bestival and Camp Bestival events in Dorset, Common People has established itself as a highlight of the city's cultural calendar.

The first event was headlined by Duran Duran and Primal Scream, and last year's by Pete Tong and Sean Paul.

This year's festival will also feature a Kids Garden with not only the world's biggest bouncy castle, but a gorilla circus, theatre spaces hosted by Oxford Playhouse, The Story Museum and Pegasus, inflatables, have-a-go circus equipment including, diablos, juggling and slackline and circus performances.

There will also be tree climbing, Cowley Road Carnival dance workshops, giant sandpit and swing boats.

Tickets are £57.50 for an adult weekend ticket or £30 for an adult day ticket, from commonpeople.net