Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney in line-up for mega rock festival

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Some of rock music's biggest icons, including The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, and Paul McCartney, are set for a 3-day rock festival in California.
Iconic artists The Rolling Stones (left) and Paul McCartney are among the line-up for mega rock festival in October. PHOTOS: AFP

LOS ANGELES (AFP) - The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, Neil Young, Roger Waters and The Who will perform at a mega festival in October, organisers said on 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 on 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' guitarist Ronnie Wood, 68, are in their 70s. The acts all remain active and pull in major audiences.

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

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

They were scheduled to end their tour in May, but have already added June dates to appear at festivals in Europe.

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