U2, BEYONCÉ and Bruce Springsteen are among the musicians who will perform on Sunday at a free open-air concert at Washington’s Lincoln Memorial in advance of next week’s inauguration of Barack Obama.
Jamie Foxx, Denzel Washington and Queen Latifah will give historical readings at the event, which will celebrate American history and values.
Each artist will perform just one song, although some will be grouped in duets and trios. They will perform music that reflects the presidencies of Abraham Lincoln, Franklin D Roosevelt, John F Kennedy and Ronald Reagan rather than their own hits.
Other performers will include Mary J Blige, Garth Brooks, Shakira, Usher, Stevie Wonder, John Legend, John Mellencamp, Herbie Hancock, James Taylor, Heather Headley, Sheryl Crow, Will.i.am, Josh Groban and Renée Fleming.
The concert will be the first official event of a three-day inauguration celebration that is expected to bring millions of visitors to Washington.
Officials from the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia warned yesterday that those planning to come to Washington for the inauguration should make specific travel arrangements immediately.
Some 22 jumbotrons (large television screens) will be set up on the National Mall so that crowds can watch the inauguration ceremony and the parade afterwards up Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol to the White House.