Rob Da Bank’s Common People Oxford will be ruling the May Bank Holiday in style on May 28 and 29. Here are some of the best tracks from the line-up’s offerings to get you in the festival mood.
1. Duran Duran – ‘Girls On Film’
You could go for the obscure, the underrated, but when a band have a banger like this one, there is no point trying to be clever about it. Everyone’s hoping the Birmingham group will bring out this groovy number as they headline Common People’s Saturday night.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCjMZMxNr-0]
2. Primal Scream – ‘Movin’ On Up’
Again, it is Primal Scream’s likeliest Common People crowd pleaser that we are all hoping for. The end notes of this orginal version sway into a motown-like feel, and waiting to see if and how the group put a current spin on this 1991 release is half the fun as they are set to headline the Sunday night.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnkjvECEQr4]
3. Katy B – ‘5AM’
Not as eponymous with the Peckham-raised singer as her hit single ‘Katy on a Mission,’ ‘5AM’ is set to get the party started in preparation for Duran Duran on Saturday night. With classic pop builds and an easy sing-along chorus, the beats in this song are unmissable.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDE2OMZtExY]
4. Craig David’s TS5
Craig David started his TS5 DJ sets as exclusive Miami pre-parties, and now plays to full clubs in Cannes, St Tropez and Dubai. There is not just one hit that we can count on to fill the ‘Fill Me In’ star’s set, but watching some footage of his previous nights is a good starting point for the Sunday night atmosphere we can expect come the May Bank Holiday weekend.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXgDsA_UTjY]
5. Public Enemy – ‘Don’t Believe the Hype’
Classic 80s hip-hop from the New York group will be infiltrating the Oxfordshire countryside in May, and what better song could prove their politicaly outspoken credentials than 1988’s ‘Don’t Believe the Hype’?
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vQaVIoEjOM]
6. Jamie Lawson – ‘Wasn’t Expecting That’
Amongst a whole host of more raucous festival flavours, Jamie Lawson’s calmer acoustic guitar-driven pop will be a welcome addition to Saturday’s early evening programme, particularly if the sun comes out. ‘I Wasn’t Expecting That’ epitomises Lawson’s Ed Sheeran-like vibe.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-lI_tgQMMk]
7. Cuban Brothers – ‘So Sweet’
It’s unlikely anyone will be complaining during the Cuban Brothers’ smooth, soulful set as ‘So Sweet’ is just one of a multitude of similarly lively summery tunes. This group are set to charm their way through Saturday afternoon with groovy dance moves and a truly eclectic performance onstage.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ca9cxelkQbY]
8. Ghostpoet – ‘Sorry My Love, It’s You Not Me’
Whilst a lot of these acts will be a fantastic accompaniment to a cider and a dance in the May sun (we can only hope), Ghostpoet’s performance will require a little more concentration. Obaro Ejimiwe weaves spoken-word and raspy soul against tackling beats and riffs to give an honest soundtrack to urban life. This track particularly exposes Ejimiwe’s talent of poignancy and frankess in lyrics, alongside a soulful melody line.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIR_Qs3tbFU]
For more information and to buy tickets, check out the Common People Oxford website here.
