THERE may be warnings of rain to come but the sun has been shining so far as one of the city's biggest music events returns with a day of disco fever.

Gates opened this morning for The Common People festival, which will see more than 10,000 people descend on South Park for each day of the weekend-long festival. 

Today's disco-themed lineup is topped by The Jacksons and Prince’s former backing band, the New Power Generation, who will play in the shadow of the world’s largest disco ball which will be suspended over the park.

The Jacksons won't play until later tonight but have been busy doing a soundcheck this morning before revellers arrived.

Other acts today include Morcheeba, Boney M, Aswad, The Cuban Brothers, Jungle Brothers, Hak Baker and Oxford’s Easter Island Statues.

Oxford Mail:

Then on Sunday the lineup will be headlined by indie-rock band Ride in a joint set with pop act James.

Other acts include Maximo Park, Sparks, The Sherlocks, Honeyblood, Low Island, Cut Capers, Chainska Brassika and Elvana – an Elvis-fronted Nirvana tribute band.

Full breakdown of the bands, site map and stage times, plus an interview with organiser Rob da Bank 

The family-friendly festival will also feature the world's biggest bouncy castle, a Kids Garden, a gorilla circus, tree climbing, dance workshops and a giant sandpit.

Oxford Mail:

Oxford Bus Company are running a special shuttle service from Oxford railway station every eight to 10 minutes until 11:38pm tonight to help festival-goers enjoy the event.

The 450 service will also be operating tomorrow from 10.30am and return buses from South Park to Oxford station will run until just after midnight.