Los Angeles/Washington  - Planeloads of celebrities were preparing to decamp en masse to Washington where US presidential- elect Barack Obama's inaugural festivities will begin Sunday with a superstar-studded concert, and continue with shows, balls, speeches and TV specials until Tuesday.

The official festivities kick off with a traditional free concert at the Lincoln Memorial that boasts a dream line-up of the music world's biggest stars. Among those slated to perform are Bruce Springsteen, Beyonce, Usher, U2, Garth Brooks, Stevie Wonder, John Mellencamp, Shakira, Mary J Blige, Herbie Hancock, Josh Groban, John Legend and James Taylor.

The event, called "We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial," will feature the stars singing a selection of songs relevant to the occasion rather than a pastiche of their greatest hits.

Historical passages will also be read by singer Queen Latifah and actors Jamie Foxx and Denzel Washington. Amid all the stars the greatest attraction will, of course, be Obama, who is expected to attend.

Getting the line-up of stars together was no problem, said producer George Stevens Jr. Even performers like Springsteen and Bono said yes within minutes of asking.

"Everybody is going to do one song, but there were will be duets and trios and choirs," Stevens told the Washington Post. "We're never going to say, 'Ladies and gentlemen, let's give it up for Beyoncé'," said another producer, Don Mischer. "It's going to be connecting music to history and ideas and American values."

On Friday afternoon, massive stages were being built at the Lincoln Memorial, the site of Martin Luther King Jr's "I have a dream" speech. Jumbotrons were being installed so that the expected crowd of 1 million people will get a glimpse of the performers even if standing far away from the action.

Also being put in place Friday all along the Mall were neat rows of blue and green port-a-potties, which marred the view but will prove essential for the masses thronging to the area from Sunday.

Elsewhere around the capital, stars like Aretha Franklin and Dionne Warwick will headline their own concerts. The Hip Hop caucus will host a show featuring stars like Common, Mary J Blige and Nelly.

Jay-Z will also hold a concert, while the Beastie Boys, Sheryl Crow and Citizen Cope will play at the "America Feels Kinda Cool Again Inaugural Gala" on Monday night.

The same night, Jessica Alba will appear at an event for young voters together with Maroon 5. The ultimate kids event, however, will be the "Kids' Inaugural: We Are the Future," which will be held Monday night with Miley Cyrus, the Jonas Brothers and Bow Wow on the performers' list. The guests of honour will be the Obama family and the event will be broadcast on the Disney Channel.

The inauguration, which will feature a performance by Franklin, will be followed by no less than ten official balls, headlined by the Neighbourhood Ball in which the new president and first lady will take their first dance of his term to the music of Beyonce.

The first couple are then scheduled to attend the Home States Balls, that will feature stars like Jack Johnson, Sheryl Crow, Marc Anthony and Maroon 5.

In addition there are dozens of other unofficial balls where stars like Rihanna, Macy Gray, LL Cool J, Young Jeezy, Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, Denzel Washington, Shakira, Jon Bon Jovi, Halle Berry and Ashton Kutcher will lead the celebrations. (dpa)