It may not feel like it, but at long last summer is here - and with it the start of the festival season.

The Chemical Brothers

Tomorrow, thousands of Oxfordshire music lovers will be heading down the A34, for the first of the year's great outdoor gatherings - Homelands.

In recent years the al fresco spectacular, which takes place amid the scenic splendour of the Hampshire downs, has become the first and best of the big dance music events, and the perfect warm-up for a packed summer schedule.

This year the festival has been re-branded 'We Love Homelands', but has kept its eclectic approach, making it an essential date not just for dance lovers, but for all fans of cutting-edge sounds.

Around 60 of the world's finest DJs will gather in the natural amphitheatre of Matterley Bowl, with some great live acts including Groove Armada, The Streets, Audio Bullys, The Chemical Brothers, De La Soul and Junior Senior.

DJ Paul Oakenfold will be guesting on Judge Jules's Radio 1 show, in what promises to be one of the hottest sets of the year.

Fresh from picking up Best Dance Album at the US Dance Star Awards for his superb Bunkka CD, remixing Madonna, J-Lo and Justin Timberlake, and with a track to appear in The Matrix Reloaded, this will be one set not to be missed.

Also on the bill are Fergie, Seb Fontaine, Roger Sanchez, Kosheen, Jeff Mills, Pete Tong, John Digweed, techno-king Dave Clark, Unklesounds, Mint Royale, Steve Lawler, Lottie and German superstar DJ Timo Maas who brought us Azzido Da Bass Doom's Night.

Also making an appearance is hip hop legend Grandmaster Flash.

A 'We Love Homeland's' spokesman said: "Matterley Bowl will become a field of dreams. Nine arenas, 60 DJs, sensational live acts, and 35,000 party goers combine into an all-night disco that's as crucial a fixture as the Notting Hill Carnival, the Reading Festival, Glastonbury and New Year's Eve."

The 18-hour extravaganza kicks off at 1pm and runs through to 6am on Sunday, at The Matterley Bowl, Winchester.

Tickets are £49 in advance. 24-hour Hotline 020 7344 0044, book online @ www.ticketmaster.co.uk