POWER in the Park has become an institution over the last decade, with up to 60,000 music fans swarming to Southampton Common every year to see their favourite stars in action at the free pop concert.
Tomorrow's event, the tenth, looks set to do the same, with top names including Blue, Mark Owen and McFly entertaining the crowds in a four-hour extravaganza.
But fans hoping to get in by just turning up are in for a shock - organisers have marked Power in the Park's anniversary by making it a ticket-only event.
The concert is still free but this year will be fenced in, with just 30,000 people - half the usual attendance - being admitted.
Extra police and security staff have been drafted in, and organisers Power FM warn that gatecrashers will be given short shrift.
"If you don't have a ticket, you can't get in," said Power FM spokeswoman Sophie Fenning, adding
that all tickets have now been allocated. Organisers have also made the event a no-alcohol zone, she said.
"It's our tenth anniversary and we want it to be extra special. The fact we have had to fence the site for health and safety reasons hasn't dampened people's enthusiasm."
The site will be the same size as usual and will include a fairground for anyone who fancies a thrill of the non-musical variety.
Sgt Alex Taylor of Portswood police, organising Sunday's police coverage, said: "We will have just under 200 officers policing the event. That will include extended traffic operations as well as public safety."
Another innovation is a larger, domed stage. This will be flanked, as usual, by two giant screens showing the action on stage.
For parking and ease of access, Cemetery Road and part of Northlands Road will be closed from 6am.
The concert is due to finish at 4pm.
THIS YEAR'S LINE-UP:
Blue
Mania
Alex Cartana
Deepest Blue
V
Angel City
The 411
McFly
Girls Aloud
VS
Mark Owen
Bellefire
Natasha Bedingfield
Phixx
Javine
Blazin' Squad
Jamelia
SEE MONDAY'S DAILY ECHO FOR A POWER IN THE PARK PICTURE SPECIAL.
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