Beyoncé to sing at Obama inauguration

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2013/jan/10/beyonce-obama-inauguration

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Beyoncé is to sing The Star-Spangled Banner at Barack Obama's second presidential inauguration ball, which will feature enough musical guests to rival a TV variety show – also on the bill are Kelly Clarkson and James Taylor.

Obama himself apparently helped choose the performers. "Their music is often at the heart of the American story and speaks to folks across the country," the president said. Taylor, who, like Beyoncé, performed at one of Obama's 2009 inaugural balls, will play the song America the Beautiful, while Clarkson will sing My Country, 'Tis of Thee.

The musical programming for this month's inauguration features much more pop than the last time Obama took the oath of office. Instead of an American Idol champion and a former member of Destiny's Child, the bill on 20 January 2009 boasted Yo-Yo Ma, Aretha Franklin, Itzhak Perlman, the San Francisco Boys and Girls Choruses, and the United States Navy Band. All of the sensuous R&B had to wait until later, when Beyoncé's rendition of At Last infuriated Etta James.

While Beyoncé is a longtime supporter of the US president, her inauguration appearance is also great for publicity. In February, Beyoncé will premiere her feature documentary debut and perform the half-time show at Super Bowl XLVIII. That same month, she will appear on the cover of GQ, fuelling speculation that the 31-year-old is set to release a fifth solo LP. Beyoncé and Lady Gaga have both recently shared photographs of themselves wearing earrings that say "ratchet"; this is rumoured to be the title of a new song, a follow-up to their 2009 collaboration Telephone. Rapper Azealia Banks may also be involved.

Beyoncé's last album, 2010's 4, debuted at No 1 and spawned the top five single Best Thing I Never Had.