SOME of Britain's brightest young pop hopefuls will be bursting onto the Southampton stage at a massive free gig.

The biggest free pop concert in the South gets under way next month - but the build-up to the event is already gathering pace, as Power FM gears up for its most spectacular Power in the Park ever.

The radio station has announced the first 12 acts to play Power in the Park V that takes place on Southampton Common on June 13.

New DJ Steve Randall made the announcement during a live broadcast from the city's Bargate Shopping Centre.

21st Century Girls - who are managed by ex-Spice Girls' guru Simon Fuller - have confirmed they will be playing, as have Britain's Eurovision hopefuls Precious. Tina Cousins, Pondlife, boy band A1, indie rock chicks Hepburn, S Club 7 and former Coronation Street star Adam Ricketts will also be on the line-up.

E-17, who opened the Radio Cafe in Southampton, is on the bill alongside Beverley Knight, Nightcrawlers, Fierce and top soul diva Dina Carroll.

Mark Sadler, Power FM's programme controller, said: "Power in the Park has a history of not only presenting today's top pop acts but also showcasing the stars of tomorrow.

"Who could have predicted, for instance, that when we first booked Irish girl band BWitched last year that they would be celebrating their first number one C'est La Vie on our stage"

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