Steps line up for aids benefit

Steps join the list of stars at the Millennium Stadium

Teen popsters Steps have joined the list of acts confirmed to play a massive AIDS charity concert at the Millennium Stadium this autumn.

Event partners BBC Wales announced A1, Damage and Sinead O'Connor will also join the line-up for the ShowTime @ The Stadium spectacular in Cardiff on 20 October.

The Millennium Stadium will host the event

The brainchild of former Live Aid organiser Midge Ure, the event is being staged with the Red Hot AIDS charity and will feature a blend of contemporary artists performing classic stage musical tunes.

Top of the pops trio Atomic Kitten, and singers Charlotte Church, Petula Clarke and Russell Watson will also draw the crowds to the stadium and more acts are to be announced in a few weeks.

The show will be broadcast live on BBC Radio 2 and BBC One will show highlights.

Steps are also set to perform at a special day for their fans at Legoland in Berkshire on 25 August.

Charity event

The Red Hot AIDS Charitable Trust is an independent charity which raises and distributes funds for community-based HIV/AIDS prevention work and education amongst population groups around the world at high risk of infection and illness

The show will be directed by international stage producer, Francesca Zambello, and artists will be backed by a 60-piece orchestra and a gospel choir.

The Kittens want to pounce on the stadium

Former Ultravox front man Ure is musical director for the event, which will kick off the bi-annual International Festival of Musical Theatre in Cardiff. The festival begins in October 2002.

Confirmation of the event came at a press conference in the Millennium Stadium in July.

Actress and Red Hot AIDS patron Jean Simmons said: "It gives me great pleasure to be part of ShowTime @ The Stadium where many great artists will be performing in this superb stadium in October to raise much needed funding for the global struggle against HIV and AIDS."

Super stadium

The Millennium Stadium is staking a bold claim to be the UK's top venue for entertainment and sport.

Robbie Williams and the Stereophonics recently played at the giant stadium and the FA Cup and Charity Shield, which Liverpool won on Sunday, are helping to ensure Cardiff is the home of English football.

Seeing guys like Atomic Kitten perform something from a West End show will be absolutely unique

Musical director Midge Ure

Ure, who helped Bob Geldof stage the groundbreaking Live Aid concert in 1985, said: "This is definitely not Live Aid II this is a very different concept.

"We are talking about bringing in songs from Broadway... so it's not just musicians - there will be dancers and a variety of performers.

"Seeing guys like Atomic Kitten perform something from a West End show will be absolutely unique."

Cast of thousands

Organisers say that there will be a cast of thousands involved in the production from gospel choirs to dancers.

Atomic Kitten's Liz said at the announcement: "We're thinking of putting on from cabaret and if someone gives a huge donation to the Red Hot charity then we'll wear some skimpy outfits."

"But not too skimpy because it is a family show."