FIFA lines up music stars for WCup kickoff concert
JOHANNESBURG (AP)—FIFA has lined up international music stars Alicia Keys,Shakira, Black Eyed Peas and John Legend for a World Cup concert in Johannesburgon June 10, the day before the opening match.
The lineup announced Wednesday also features a strong African presence withSouth African folk singer Vusi Mahlasela and Malian artists Amadou and Mariamand Tinariwen. South African rock bands BLK JKS and The Parlotones will alsoperform as the country prepares to be the first African host in the 80-yearhistory of the tournament.
“We are thrilled to have a concert of such magnitude and performing talentraise the curtain on the first FIFA World Cup in Africa,” said FIFA secretarygeneral Jerome Valcke. “It is testament to the universal and unifying power offootball and music, and will start the competition off on the right note— ofcelebration.”
FIFA selected Emmy Award-winning producer Kevin Wall to produce thethree-hour show at the newly renovated Orlando Stadium in the famousJohannesburg township of Soweto.
Wall was involved in organizing concerts to help free Nelson Mandela when hewas imprisoned by South Africa’s apartheid government. The 58-year-old Americanalso produced the Live 8 concerts in 2005 and was behind the Live Earth eventsthree years ago.
“2010 will mark the first time the FIFA World Cup will be played in Africa,so it seemed fitting to celebrate this momentous occasion with a festival oflive music from Africa and beyond,” Wall said on his company Control Room’s Website.
Organizers have also promised more artist announcements in the future. Thehost nation will open the tournament against Mexico at the nearby Soccer Citystadium on June 11.
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