[title]
So there you have it: the UK officially has its brand-new King. But the bank holiday weekend is far from over. While we all enjoyed watching the religious service, you have to admit that it wasn’t particularly energetic. And you know why? Because Charles is saving all his dance moves for Sunday’s coronation concert.
As you’d expect, the gig is going to be a very star-studded affair, with a few unexpected (and pretty random) A-listers set to make an appearance. Katy Perry, Take That and Lionel Richie will all be performing on the Union Jack shaped stage at Windsor Castle. There’s also going to be a special coronation choir and a spectacular light show.
RECOMMENDED: Here’s the full schedule for the King’s coronation
Psyched for the concert? Or maybe you’re just curious about the line-up? Either way, we’ve got you covered with everything you need to know about this landmark show.
When and where is King Charles III’s coronation concert taking place?
It will be taking place on Sunday May 7 on the grounds of Windsor Castle in Berkshire.
What time does the coronation concert start?
The gig will start at 8pm.
Who is on the coronation concert line-up?
Take That will appear with three of its original members: Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen. The boy band’s other member, Robbie Williams, reportedly turned down the offer.
Lionel Richie, who was the first global ambassador of the Prince’s Trust, a charity founded by King Charles III, and Katy Perry, ambassador for the British Asian Trust, will also both be performing.
Italian opera star Andrea Bocelli and Welsh singer Sir Bryn Terfel will appear as a duo, while singer-songwriter Freya Ridings will take to the stage accompanied by classical-soul composer Alexis Ffrench.
Other acts will include Paloma Faith, Olly Murs, Nicole Scherzinger, Chinese pianist Lang Lang, Nigerian singer-songwriter Tiwa Savage and DJ Pete Tong. Iconic American singer and Hocus Pocus star Bette Midler will also make an appearance.
What else is on the line-up?
For the first time ever, The Royal Ballet, The Royal Opera, The Royal Shakespeare Company, The Royal College of Music and The Royal College of Art will combine forces to create a spectacular one-off performance featuring actor Ncuti Gatwa.
Tom Cruise, Dame Joan Collins, Bear Grylls and Sir Tom Jones will all appear via video message and we can expect to see a few other big stars in pre-recorded sketches which will apparently reveal little known facts about the new King.
While the Platty Joobz might have had Paddington Bear, the coronation concert will feature an appearance from his furry rival Winnie the Pooh. Downton Abbey star Hugh Bonneville has been announced as the host of the event.
In addition to the headline acts, there will be a performance from a 74-piece classical orchestra as well as an exclusive appearance from The Coronation Choir, consisting of singers from different groups across the UK, including a Northern Irish farming community and an all-deaf sign performance group.
Finally, the concert will also include a ‘Lighting up the Nation’ moment, which will see iconic landmarks lit up with projections, lasers, potential drone displays and illuminations.
Broadcaster Kirsty Young will anchor the live broadcast of the concert from the grounds of Windsor Castle on Sunday, while BBC Radio 1 presenter Clara Amfo and Diversity dancer and DJ Jordan Banjo will be backstage with the artists.
What do we know about the Coronation Choir?
The Coronation Choir is a 300-strong singing group, all made up of people from diverse backgrounds. There will be a bunch of RNLI sea shanty singers from Somerset, an LGBTQ+ choir, a Gaelic choir from the Western Isles of Scotland, a Northern Irish farming community group, Hull’s NHS choir, and a refugee choir from Wales. Phew.
Who will be in the audience?
Around 20,000 members of the public will descend on the grounds of Windsor Castle. Half will be those who entered the ticket ballot and were allocated tickets in a way that reflects the geographical spread of the UK population.
The remaining tickets have been allocated to volunteers affiliated with the King and Queen Consort’s various charities and to other charitable organisations including those who support young people, the military, the environment, their local communities and the Commonwealth.
What will the stage look like?
The BBC released three images of the coronation concert staging, which imitates a Union Jack and is designed to ‘embrace the architecture of Windsor Castle’. It has multiple levels for a 70-piece orchestra plus four catwalks that stretch out into the audience from the main stage.
How can I get tickets?
Unfortunately, the chance to get your hands on tickets has now passed. Only 10,000 spots were available for the general public and the ballot took place in February.
Can I watch the concert on TV?
In the UK, the concert will be broadcast live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 8pm. You can also listen on BBC Radio 2 or BBC Sounds. Those in London could also head to St James's Park to watch it on a big screen. For more info on how to tune in, see here.