Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Alicia Keys, John Legend Headline World Cup Gig in Johannesburg

Alicia Keys, John Legend headline World Cup gig in Johannesburg

Mar 17, 2010, 9:36 GMT

Johannesburg - US soul stars Alicia Keys and John Legend and Colombian pop diva Shakira are among the headline performers at a World Cup kick-off concert in Johannesburg on June 10, organizers said Wednesday.

US hip hop outfit Black Eyed Peas, Malian rock duo Amadou & Mariam and Beninese singer Angélique Kidjo will also take to the stage at Orlando Stadium in Soweto township, along with a number of other top South African and African acts, the world football body FIFA and the concert producer, Control Room, announced.

The concert is the first of its kind at the World Cup, which is being staged in Africa for the first time this year.

Around 30,000 people are expected at the gig, which will be broadcast to hundreds of millions of TV viewers worldwide, the organizers said.

Orlando Stadium is not one of the 10 World Cup stadiums but has been upgraded for use as a training venue during the June 11-July 11 tournament.

'We are thrilled to have a concert of such magnitude and performing talent raise the curtain on the first FIFA World Cup in Africa, FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke said in a statement.

Control Room was the main organizer of the global Live Earth 2007 concerts.

Proceeds from the concert will be donated to FIFA's 20 Centres for 2010 campaign, which aims to build 20 centres for football training and social services in disadvantaged communities across Africa.

Read more: http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/africa/news/article_1541629.php/Alicia-Keys-John-Legend-headline-World-Cup-gig-in-Johannesburg#ixzz0iSH4L66x

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