IT'S coming back!

After a successful second outing, Common People is due to return to Southampton for a festival hat-trick in 2017.

More than 40,000 people flocked to The Common to see the likes of Craig David and Duran Duran.

And music-lovers hoping for more of the same next year are unlikely to be disappointed after its organiser revealed he is already planning next year's event.

Speaking exclusively to the Daily Echo, organiser Rob da Bank said he plans to make the fledgling festival a permanent fixture on the Southampton summer programme.

"If you'll have us, we'd love to come back," he said.

"We take it year by year but we do have a plan to try and become part of the cultural story of Southampton.

"There's always a long term plan and we love Common People."

Rob, who grew up in Warsash, explained how much his hometown festival means to him.

"This is where I did my first ever DJ set. My dad's here at Common People as well as lots of family.

"Some people thought we were mad doing a festival on our own doorstep with Bestival, but we know this crowd and they like our way of putting on an eclectic show."

Crowds at the event basked in glorious sunshine on The Common on Saturday and Sunday.

The event saw an eclectic mix of bands, DJs and artists take to the main stage, headlined by the city's own singing sensation Craig David and eighties superstars Duran Duran.

Other acts to perform throughout the two-day spectacular included Primal Scream, Public Enemy, Katy B and Ghostpoet, while the likes of the Chuckle Brothers and Mr Motivator also featured on the bill.

Former Radio 1 DJ Rob is the founder of the Bestival family, putting on Bestival on the Isle of Wight for the past 12 years, closely followed by Camp Bestival at Lulworth Castle.

The inaugural Common People last year attracted 35,000 people to enjoy the likes of Fatboy Slim and Southampton's own Band of Skulls.

He added: "We're always talking to people. We're going around looking what we can improve for next year and we're looking at who to book.

"We're always tweaking."