Let the battle begin: Black Eyed Peas star Fergie turns claw-handed gladiator at World Cup opening concert

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By Chris Johnson

Rocking the joint: Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas wowed in a gladiator-style costume as her band opened the official World Cup kick-off concert in South Africa tonight


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With the world's football teams poised to thrash it out on the pitch, Black Eyed Peas frontwoman Fergie set the battlefield tone as she emerged in a gladiator-style outfit for the official World Cup kick-off concert.

The 35-year-old poured her figure into a leg-baring black, gold and silver number, complete with bejewelled breast plates and structured shoulder and hip panels.

Teaming her look with an Edward Scissorhands-inspired claw hand, the brunette looked like she meant business as the Black Eyed Peas rocked Orlando Stadium in South Africa tonight in front of thousands of excitable revellers.


Tonight's gonna be a good night: She teamed her outfit with an Edward Scissorhands claw, seen here with bandmate Will.i.am in a metal mask


Fergie was joined on stage by her bandmates Will.I.Am, who wore a Phantom of the Opera-like mask and vocalists Apl.De.Ap and Taboo.

Other stars on the bill included Columbian singer Shakira, who sang the official World Cup anthem Waka Waka (This time for Africa) and U.S. singer Alicia Keys.

Concert-goers clapped and cheered amidst almost freezing temperatures as footballers, local musicians and the international singing stars took to the stage, the first time such a music concert has been held as part of the World Cup opening events.


Don't mess: Fergie had the crowd enraptured as they all cheered and sang along


The full line-up: From left, Apl.De.Ap, Will.i.am, Fergie and Taboo


'This is great. This concert, the World Cup. When you drive down the road, you can feel it's changing us...Sports and music are a universal language that everyone understands,' said 28-year-old Neo Baloyi

U.S. group Black Eyed Peas kicked off the concert, which was broadcast live around the world, with their chart-topping hit Where is the love.

Other stars expected to perform include R Kelly, Angelique Kidjo and Vusi Mahlasela.


Let's get this party started: The gig was held at South Africa's 30,000-capacity Orlando Stadium


Flying the South African flag: It is the first time such a concert has been held to mark the opening of the world's biggest sporting tournament


Children and the elderly alike waved South African flags and sang 'Shosholoza', the popular local tune sung mostly at soccer matches.

The scene in the 30,000-capacity stadium was reminiscent of 1995, when South Africa, recently free from decades of apartheid rule, won the rugby World Cup. The tournament was widely seen as uniting a country long divided along racial lines.

'This is history in the making. Only 15 years ago we were unsure of our identity, but here we stand as one nation. I'm very excited, I'm very happy to be here, I love the vibe,' said 44-year-old Vanitha Govender, who works for Standard Bank.


Entertainment: Taboo and Will.iam point look out at the lively crowd


Getting her groove on: Fergie struts her stuff, backed by dancers dressed in zebra-print all-in-one costumes


South African President Jacob Zuma and FIFA President Sepp Blatter also joined in on the party in Johannesburg's Soweto township, calling for unity for the duration of the World Cup.

'Africa is showing the world that it is capable of holding any matter of the world like any other region. Africa is hosting this tournament, South Africa is just the stage,' said Zuma.

Net proceeds from the concert will go to 20 Centres for 2010, FIFA's official social campaign for the World Cup, aimed at achieving positive change in Africa through football.


Diva: Alicia Keys also performed a set at the event, which is expected to get a bigger global television audience than Live Earth in 2007


Hitting the right note: Here the singer sits at a black grand piano for one of her songs


The campaign aims to build 20 centres across the continent offering healthcare services, education and soccer training for disadvantaged communities.

The month-long soccer World Cup, being hosted in Africa for the first time, gets underway on Friday with the opening match between hosts South Africa and Mexico.

Organisers predicted the concert would draw an even bigger global television audience than Live Earth in 2007.


Loving it: A spectator dances and holds a South Africa scarf aloft



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