Superstars to open Expo 2020 Dubai with 'big bang'

WATCH LIVE NOW: Expo 2020 Dubai opening ceremony

World-famous classical, popular and regional musicians have been signed up to star at the opening ceremony of Expo 2020 Dubai.

Opera singer Andrea Bocelli, Golden Globe-winning actress, singer and songwriter Andra Day, platinum-selling British pop star Ellie Goulding, Chinese pianist Lang Lang and four-time Grammy winning singer-songwriter Angelique Kidjo will help to light up the event at Al Wasl Plaza.

An invited audience will also watch performances by regional artists including the ‘Artist of Arabs’ Mohamed Abdu, much-loved Emirati singing sensation Ahlam Alshamsi and Emirati artist and Expo 2020 Dubai ambassador Hussain Al Jassmi, a trendsetter on the Khaleeji music scene in the Middle East.

Rising UAE singer-songwriter Almas and Grammy-nominated Lebanese-American singer Mayssa Karaa also feature on the line-up announced so far.

TV audiences around the world are promised a visually striking light and dance show, on a similar scale to the opening of the Olympic Games, with elements from the creative minds behind Cirque du Soleil.

The event has been choreographed by Scott Givens, executive producer and chief executive of FiveCurrents, whose credits include 62 global events and more Olympic ceremonies than any other producer.

Tareq Ghosheh, chief event and entertainment officer for Expo 2020 Dubai, described the event, which will take place on Thursday, September 30, as a "big bang".

“As the global spotlight shines on the UAE, this incredible, unforgettable evening will celebrate the collaborative, creative and optimistic spirit of Expo 2020, demonstrating our commitment to hosting a mega-event that will delight the world," he said.

“Combining some of the most sought-after names in the world of music, live events and entertainment with the awe-inspiring, world-first technologies of the iconic Al Wasl Plaza, this is the ‘big bang’ that sets the scene for 182 days of visually striking and emotionally inspiring experiences, as we invite visitors from across the planet to join the making of a new world.”

The opening show will draw inspiration from Expo’s theme of ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’, and its sub-themes of opportunity, mobility and sustainability, and present the values of the UAE to the watching world.

It will be staged in Al Wasl Plaza, a vast, circular theatre which will house the largest immersive sound installation in the world and the world’s largest blended video projection installation.

Choreographers are placing the audience at the centre of the event and the revolving stage, light shows and immersive technology will come to life around them.

Organisers published a preview of the 90-minute ceremony, featuring hundreds of colourfully costumed performers over a weekend.

The 90-minute performance will set the scene for the six-month world fair with the show to be broadcast live on Expo TV, Virtual Expo and TV stations around the world.

Expo 2020 Dubai will open to the public on October 1 and run for six months until the end of March.

Take a look at the water feature at Expo 2020 Dubai

Scotland's team:

15-Sean Maitland, 14-Darcy Graham, 13-Nick Grigg, 12-Sam Johnson, 11-Byron McGuigan, 10-Finn Russell, 9-Ali Price, 8-Magnus Bradbury, 7-Hamish Watson, 6-Sam Skinner, 5-Grant Gilchrist, 4-Ben Toolis, 3-Willem Nel, 2-Stuart McInally (captain), 1-Allan Dell

Replacements: 16-Fraser Brown, 17-Gordon Reid, 18-Simon Berghan, 19-Jonny Gray, 20-Josh Strauss, 21-Greig Laidlaw, 22-Adam Hastings, 23-Chris Harris

MATCH INFO

Liverpool 2 (Van Dijk 18', 24')

Brighton 1 (Dunk 79')

Red card: Alisson (Liverpool)

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative

Tomorrow 2021

Crown Prince reveals Tomorrow 2021 plan for Abu Dhabi's economy

The UAE explained: What are the new plans for the economy and why do we need them?

Abu Dhabi's plans to liberalise the economy are progressing fast - but how are other countries planning for post-oil?

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