World

3 Doors Down to perform at Trump inauguration

18:11 pm on 14 January 2017

President-elect Donald Trump is just a week out from his inauguration, but the event is shaping up to be a less star-studded affair than those in the past.

3 Doors Down will perform at Donald Trump's inauguration. Photo: AFP

Eight years ago, Barack Obama was welcomed to the office by a stirring performance from gospel legend Aretha Franklin, while the second time round his inauguration featured stars Beyonce, Kelly Clarkson and James Taylor.

But Mr Trump's planning team says it's aiming for a "more poetic cadence" rather than "a circus-like celebration", while the President-elect himself has declared it will be about "the people", not celebrities.

Among those who have confirmed they will be performing include rock band 3 Doors Down, who rose to fame in 2000 with their chart-topping single Kryptonite.

The song included the lyric 'If I go crazy then will you still / Call me Superman'.

The band announced on Instagram they would be part of the "Make America Great Again! Welcome Celebration" event.

Classical crossover singer Jackie Evancho will also be performing. It's been confirmed that she'll be singing the American national anthem at the inauguration.

Ms Evancho rose to fame as a child performer on America's Got Talent six years ago.

New York's precision dance company the Radio City Rockettes will take the stage, but not everyone involved is happy about it.

One dancer told Marie Claire magazine: "We do a lot of events, but there have been no events that could cause trauma. Doing this would cause trauma for some people."

Management have told the dancers that they don't have to take part if they don't want to.

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir have confirmed they will perform, but the decision has caused some controversy within the Mormon Church.

Jan Chamberlin, a five-year member of the choir, resigned as a result, saying that it "will appear that [the] choir is endorsing tyranny and fascism by singing for this man".

Thousands have also signed a petition saying that Mr Trump does not reflect the values of the Mormon Church and that appearing at his inauguration will harm its worldwide image.

The Church responded by saying it has sung at such celebrations for five previous Republican presidents, and that performing is not about supporting a particular party, but about showing "support for freedom, civility and the peaceful transition of power".

One of America's biggest ever bands The Beach Boys, was considering an invitation to perform but hadn't made a final decision, a spokesman for the band said in December.

According to Billboard, the band has performed in the past at events for Ronald Reagan, George HW Bush and Bill Clinton.

Artists said to have turned down offers to perform at the inauguration include Moby, Elton John and Charlotte Church.

- ABC / Reuters