Chris Brown to play Jackson gig

More acts are expected to be announced later this week

Chris Brown, Mary J Blige, Sister Sledge and Natalie Cole will be among the artists performing at the Michael Jackson tribute concert in Vienna.

Speaking at a press conference, Jackson's brother Jermaine told reporters that up to 25 performers had been lined up to sing.

The artists will play some of Jackson's greatest hits at the concert, including Thriller and Billie Jean.

More acts will be revealed later this week, Jackson said.

Disappointed fans

Akon, Angela Bassett, and the Germany-based boy band US5 will also perform at the gig, which will take place in front of Vienna's former imperial Schoenbrunn Palace.

Jermaine said the venue had been chosen because his brother "loved castles".

He also revealed that he planned to sing a virtual duet with his late brother.

Organisers said they were expecting 65,000 fans to attend. Tickets went on sale last month for the event, which takes place on 26 September.

Brown previously stood in Jackson's shoes to perform a tribute to Thriller at the 2006 World Music Awards in London.

Jackson had been expected to perform at the ceremony, but disappointed fans by only singing a few lines of We Are The World.

Brown singer was recently sentenced to 80 days' community labour and five years' probation for assaulting his pop star ex-girlfriend Rihanna.

Jackson passed away in June after suffering a cardiac arrest.

Last month, the Los Angeles coroner announced his death was homicide, primarily caused by the powerful anaesthetic Propofol.

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