Katy Perry to perform at Tomorrowland online festival: 'I hope my set makes you smile'

The heavily pregnant US singer will play all her hits from a virtual stage

US singer Katy Perry, who is currently expecting her first child, will perform at Tomorrowland Around the World. AP

She may be just weeks away from giving birth, but pop star Katy Perry is coming to Tomorrowland.

The US singer will deliver a virtual performance as part of the mega dance festival's upcoming digital event, Tomorrowland Around the World.

Running on Saturday, July 25 and Sunday, July 26, Perry headlines a bill that features leading EDM acts Armin van Buuren, David Guetta, Dimitri Vegas and Like Mike, as well as Martin Garrix.

The exact timing of Perry’s performance will be revealed soon by organisers.

To announce the news, the California Gurls singer, who is expecting her first child with fiance Orlando Bloom, jumped on a video call with Garrix.

"I’ve always wanted to be a part of the fun of Tomorrowland, and have been following the amazing innovation, technology and invention that this festival has always been about for a long time,” she said.

“I’m so glad to be a part of this version, and I hope my set makes you smile."

To complement the dance music of the festival, Perry said her set will be fast-moving and similar to a DJ performance, in that her tracks will blend into each other.

“All of my songs I've made it so that it would continue and never lose momentum,” she said. “That's probably the most important about playing Tomorrowland."

In addition to her hits Roar, Dark Horse and Hot N Cold, Perry will undoubtedly use the event to promote her new single Smile, which also happens to be the name of her upcoming sixth album, out on Friday, August 14.

A digital spectacle

Perry’s appearance ramps up the anticipation surrounding Tomorrowland Around the World.

For the virtual spin-off of the main physical event, which was supposed to take place this month in Belgium, a team of 100 digital creatives have been tasked with creating a cutting-edge online spectacle.

As revealed in a 35-second trailer, the event will feature eight virtual stages in various landscapes ranging from the mouth of Mars-like red mountains to a teeming megalopolis on the edge of an ocean.

Perry and the DJs will be superimposed on to the digital stages as they physically perform from various studios around the world.

In a recent interview with The National, Tomorrowland spokesperson Debby Wilmsen said the event is ground-breaking in terms of technology and scope.

“For everyone involved, this is all something new and something different,” she said. “We saw many other events that were basically live-streaming or gaming concerts where the artists and crowd are avatars. We didn’t want to do either of those, so instead, we are attempting to combine both techniques.”

Tickets for Tomorrowland Around the World, held on Saturday and Sunday, July 25 and 26, cost from €12.50 (Dh52) for a day pass, or €20 (Dh83) for weekend passes including a week of video-on-demand content. The festival runs each day from 5pm UAE time to 3am. For details go to www.tomorrowland.com