Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lopez to perform at inauguration

The duo join a star-studded line up that also includes Tom Hanks, Justin Timberlake and Demi Lovato

Lady Gaga performs during a drive-in campaign rally held by Democratic US presidential nominee Joe Biden in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on November 2, 2020. Courtesy Reuters

Lady Gaga will sing the national anthem as Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are sworn in at the US Capitol on Wednesday. Jennifer Lopez will also perform in what is shaping up to be a star-studded event.

Gaga, who previously performed The Star Spangled Banner at the 2016 Super Bowl 50, has been an vocal supporter of Biden, and spoke at one of his campaign rallies in Pennsylvania.

"Vote like your life depends on it, or vote like your children’s lives depends on it because they do," Gaga told the crowd. "To all the women and all the men with daughters and sisters and mothers, everybody, no matter how you identify, now is your chance to vote against Donald Trump … Vote for Joe. He's a good person."

Since many of the traditional events, such as live concerts, the inaugural parade, galas and balls, have been cancelled due to the pandemic, Wednesday's inauguration will also include a televised special, broadcast online and across five TV networks, hosted by Tom Hanks. The 90-minute broadcast, called Celebrating America, will feature performances from Jennifer Lopez, Jon Bon Jovi, Justin Timberlake and Demi Lovato.

Timberlake revealed on Wednesday that he will perform a new song, Better Days, written several months ago, as a way of "doing what little we could to encourage everyone to stay hopeful and to keep working towards a better future".

Comparisons are being drawn to the modest line-up that Donald Trump was able to attract for his inauguration.

“This inauguration presents a unique opportunity to spotlight the resilience and spirit of an America united," said Tony Allen, chief executive of the Presidential Inaugural Committee, in a statement.

"We have witnessed countless heroes this past year step up to the frontlines and serve their fellow Americans, so we are telling their stories, spreading their collective light, and celebrating the best of our country and its people with this prime-time programme.

"Our first priority is safety — so while many of us will be watching safely from our homes, we are creating real moments of connection that highlight a new inclusive American era of leadership that works for and represents all Americans.”