Prince will headline a government-sponsored music festival aimed at boosting the image of SARS-battered Hong Kong.
He’ll perform at the opening of the concert series, “Hong Kong Harbour Fest,” on Oct. 17, organizers said Thursday. Top tickets for his show are priced at $127.
The Rolling Stones, Jose Carreras, Irish boy band Westlife, Carlos Santana, British R&B singer Craig David, Taiwan pop sensation Jay Chou and boy band F4 are also set to perform at the festival, which will run through Nov. 9.
The $16.7 million event has stirred controversy, with critics questioning the government’s vow to guarantee up to $10.2 million to cover losses if necessary.
But officials say the festival will help Hong Kong recover from the impact of the severe acute respiratory syndrome crisis, which killed 299 people in the territory and devastated the economy.
The Rolling Stones had been scheduled to play in Hong Kong in March, but their two shows were canceled as the SARS crisis unfolded.
