Next month, Common People Festival will be returning to Southampton Common for its fourth year, and the first day of the event, Saturday 26th May, promises to be a 'singalong special'. There's loads of great acts gracing the various stages throughout the day, but these are the ones we're most excited for!

All Saints

Be transported back to the late 90s with the UK’s third best-selling girl group, All Saints. Having sold over 12 million records, the London quartet first reached commercial success in 1997 with their debut album, All Saints. Get ready for the iconic smash hit ‘Never Ever’ with its minute-long monologue about heartbreak over a gentle piano beat. To the nostalgic ‘Pure Shores’ which pairs sweet harmonies with swirling electronica to create one relaxing trip. 

Having had their fair share of breaks up - in 2001 and again in 2009 - All Saints have reunited and have supported Take That on their UK and Ireland tour in 2017. It's also been rumored that they are currently recording their fifth studio album, alongside a worldwide tour at the end of 2019. 

Honeyblood

Scottish duo Honeyblood have enjoyed vast amounts of success since the release of their second album Babes Never Die. Infusing fuzzy rock sounds with their immense song writing skills, lead singer Stina Tweeddale and drummer Cat Myers deliver songs about heartbreak and female empowerment like no other band before them has. A staple live act and must-see for this year’s festival.

Lily Allen

Having recorded music on Myspace since she was a teenager, her debut record, Alright, Still in 2006 finally put Lily Allen on the UK music scene, selling over 2.6 million copies worldwide. Known for her laidback vocals and sarcastic rhymes, the famous ‘Smile’ explored getting revenge on a cheating ex-boyfriend which reached number one on the UK Singles Chart.  

Now Allen has packed away her iconic style of Nike trainers paired with floaty fuchsia dresses for a demurrer and mature sound, lacking in the swear words and sassy insults we are so used to hearing. Recently, Allen has released two singles, ‘Higher’, a sensitive electronic ballad that explores heartbreak, and ‘Three’, a personal insight into the singer’s busy schedule and how it’s affected her daughter. Both of these will feature on her new album, No Shame, set for release this June.

Pioneers 

Brand new and upcoming Southampton band Pioneers have already won over the likes of BBC Introducing Solent and BBC Radio 1 with their infectious debut single ‘Take Time’. Taking inspiration from the likes of Blossoms, The Libertines & Jamie T, they aim to give indie music a home on the South Coast.