Mars to Perform at Las Vegas’ Rock in Rio USA Festival

Bruno Mars is ready to rock (in Rio)…

The 29-year-old part-Puerto Rican singer-songwriter has joined the Rock in Rio USA festival’s lineup, as confirmed by MGM Resorts International and the festival’s organizers.

Bruno Mars

Taking place in Las Vegas next year, the festival will feature performances by Mars, Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, Metallica and No Doubt on the main stage during the festival, which takes place May 8-9 and May 15-16.

The announcement and debut of the festival’s look came complete with a magician, tap dancers, a fire-thrower and musical acts performing in front of building facades resembling streets in the United States, Brazil and the United Kingdom.

Luis Justo, CEO of Rock in Rio, says the festival is intended to be an “immersive” experience. A Ferris wheel and 64-foot-high zip line are also planned for the site. “It’s like an amusement park with a lot of different attractions,” Justo told Billboard in April. “More than the talent itself, the experience that the crowd has at Rock In Rio is really different.”

The venue will accommodate 85,000 general admission ticket-holders each day and 4,000 VIPs, organizers said. A pre-sale last month attracted ticket-buyers from 32 different countries, Justo said.

The 37-acre open-air venue stretching from the corner of Las Vegas and Sahara boulevards next to the Circus Circus Resort is being built by MGM Resorts in concert with Cirque du Soleil and The Yucaipa Cos. investment firm.

Tickets are expected to go on sale in January. For more information, visit www.RockinRio.com