THE stars of the weekend’s Common People festival have praised the crowd for making it a spectacular weekend.

Up to 10,000 people packed Oxford’s South Park for each day of the event, enjoying hundreds of bands, DJs, circus performers, theatre shows and carnival acts.

Oxford Mail:

Highlights included sets by The Jacksons and Prince’s band the New Power Generation on Saturday and art-rock act Sparks, Oxford indie band Ride and Manchester group James on Sunday.

Veteran guitarist Sonny Thompson of the New Power Generation was a close friend of Prince and taught the artist how to play bass.

Talking backstage he said: “It’s just amazing to be here. The sun is out and the whole place is so cool – and what a great crowd. We’ve been waiting for this moment – and it’s so wonderful to be keeping Prince’s music alive here.”

Speaking after their headline set, Jackie Jackson, brother of Michael, said: “We had a blast. The best crowd!”

Oxford Mail:

The biggest cheers on Sunday were reserved for Oxford band Ride – Mark Gardener, Loz Colbert, Andy Bell and Steve Queralt.

The band formed at North Oxfordshire College, Banbury, in the 80s, though Mark and Andy met while pupils at Cheney School – a stone’s throw from the festival site.

The band had been strongly tipped to headline the festival since its first year, but this was the first time their hectic touring and recording schedule had allowed them to play the hometown event.

Tweeting before the show, Andy said: “I lived on Union Street, Ox4 for pretty much the whole of the 90s, at one end of the street is South Park, the venue for Common People. I lose count of all the life stuff I’ve done in that park, but tonight will be the icing on the cake.”

Among their fans was Julia Atkinson from Summertown bakery Happy Cakes, who presented the band with cupcakes decorated with their faces. She said: “I love Ride and it’s fantastic to see them here where they belong.”

Scores of local bands played the festival, many in a stage curated by Oxford music magazine Nightshift. They included Candy Says – Ben Walker and Juju Sophie, from Cumnor Hill. Ben said: “It was great fun and people seemed to be into it. This is really a great event for Oxford.”

Organiser Rob da Bank praised the audience, saying: “What a scorcher! New Power Generation, The Jacksons, a homecoming gig for Ride, James and some incredible local acts like Low Island, all in our festival wonderland in South Park. Couldn’t have asked for a more magical weekend. Shout out to Oxford for bringing the vibes too. Now for some sleep!”