Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney in line-up for mega concert

[LOS ANGELES] The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, Neil Young, Roger Waters and The Who will perform at a mega festival in October, organizers said Tuesday.

The iconic artists have been confirmed for the October 7-9 concert at the Empire Polo field in Indio, in the California desert, an event being billed by music lovers as one of the greatest concerts ever.

That same venue hosts the annual Coachella music festival.

"I can't think of a concert as big as this one," Jim Guerinot, a talent agent and former promoter, told the Los Angeles Times.

"Neil Young opening for Paul McCartney - are you kidding me? ... I think it's a stupendous achievement."

Tickets for the event, which go on sale Monday, will range from US$199 to US$1,599, concert promoter Goldenvoice said. Customers are limited to buying a maximum of eight tickets for the festival, which is being called "The Desert Trip."

"With performances starting after sunset, each artist will play a full set, serving up three incomparable nights of rock 'n roll," it said on its website.

All of the artists except the Stones' 68-year-old guitarist Ronnie Wood are in their 70s. The acts all remain active and pull in major audiences eager to see them for nostalgia reasons.

Concert organizers said Dylan and the Stones would launch the concert October 7, Mr Young and Mr McCartney would perform on October 8 and the Who and Mr Waters will close the three-day event on October 9.

The festival could mark a final appearance for The Who, whose members have hinted at imminent retirement.

The group was scheduled to end their tour in May, but have already added June dates to appear at festivals in Europe.

AFP