Rob da Bank tells Tim Hughes Common People will be back next year. Pictures by Guy Henstock, Tim Hughes and Andrew Walmsley

THE organiser of Oxford's Common People festival has hailed the weekend as a huge success - and vowed to make it an annual event.

Festival promoter and DJ Rob da Bank praised Oxford people for their enthusiasm in supporting the event, which attracted more than15,000 to South Park on Saturday and Sunday.

The festival saw sets by 80s pop icons Duran Duran, dance singer Katy B, Chas & Dave, Soul II Soul, Oxford DJ David Rodigan and Chipping Norton's Esther Joy Lane on Saturday, and Primal Scream, Public Enemy, Ghostpoet, Sugarhill Gang, Craig David and Wheatley's Gaz Coombes on Sunday.

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A smaller stage featured a bill of local artists, headlined by the Original Rabbit Foot Spasm Band and Balkan Wanderers.

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Rob da Bank, real name Robert Gorham – has a proven track record in running successful festivals, including the long-running Bestival event, held near his home on the Isle of Wight. Oxford's Common People was staged concurrently with a sister event in Southampton.

He said: "We are very happy. We had 15,000 people each day, which is great. Anyone else putting on a show like this for the first time would find that incredible. People have been coming up to us and telling us how excited they have been – and how proud they are that it has happened here.

"There was a little bit of doubt that we might not pull it off, so I am really proud of my whole Oxford team for making it happen.

"This festival feels like it's meant to be here and we have a handshake in place that we are coming back next year.

"Our festivals are always a long-term plan. They take a year or two to bed in but we are getting good at that. We have proved we are not just a bunch of strangers dropping in from the Isle of Wight. Now we are looking forward to building a long-term relationship with the city.

"The more good stuff happening in Oxford the better. It benefits everyone."

Gaz Coombes' set on Sunday proved one of the hits of the festival. He was joined by a backing band of familiar Oxford musicians, with Ride's drummer Loz Colbert on drums, and former Goldrush and Dusty Sound System guitarists Garo Nahoulakian and Nick 'Growler' Fowler. Former Supergrass frontman Gaz last played South Park 15 years ago at Radiohead's homecoming show.

Talking backstage before his set on Sunday, the Mercury-nominated singer-songwriter said: "It's great to do a hometown gig - and there's a bit of magic to be doing this in South Park. The festival is brilliant and I hope it's a success and carries on. It's the perfect spot for it.

"The guys I'm working with are so talented and have a passion for music – and it's so good to be back in South Park doing a show."

He added: "From what I can tell there's a lot of good stuff in Oxford at the moment, and what makes it so great is it's always so diverse. There is no 'Oxford sound' and that's what sets us apart. There's an eclectic scene that ebbs and flows."

Also talking backstage Jazzie B, of Soul II Soul said: "We love Common People - and it's been so good seeing our old mates - including David Rodigan, who in our pirate days was my mentor.

"But the best thing has been the audience. It has been great to see young and old together, and the mix of music has been second to none. Who wouldn't want to be a part of that?"