Singer Lady Gaga is set to sing the national anthem at Joe Biden’s swearing-in as US president on January 20. The mega virtual event will also witness a performance by Jennifer Lopez, reported AFP.

With the two superstars headlining the inauguration like never before, security has been stepped up in Washington against threats by extremist supporters of outgoing President Donald Trump, after they attacked the US Capitol last week in a bid to overturn the results of the election.

Local authorities have asked people to stay away from the ceremonies to lessen the chances of unrest as well as to avoid the swearing-in turning into a COVID-19 super spreader event.

Also read: Tom Hanks to host the TV special on Joe Biden’s inauguration

Biden’s inaugural committee said that it will broadcast five days of programming under the theme “America United”, which “will honour inaugural traditions while safely allowing more Americans than ever before to participate from their own homes.”

The upcoming events include “United We Serve,” a National Day of Service on January 18, Martin Luther King Jr Day, a nationwide COVID-19 Memorial to Lives Lost on January 19 and wreath laying at Arlington National Cemetery on Inauguration Day.

In the absence of the hundreds of thousands of people, who usually crowd the National Mall for the inauguration, the committee will install a “Field of Flags”, which it said will “represent the American people who are unable to travel.”

Hosted by Tom Hanks, the 90-minute “Celebrating America” inauguration show will feature more musical performances, from Jon Bon Jovi, Justin Timberlake and Demi Lovato, and will be broadcast on all major US networks.

Gaga and Lopez will perform during the ceremony itself, held on the steps of the Capitol building, still bearing the scars of the January 6 attack.

She has been a vocal supporter of Biden, appearing at his campaign finale in Pittsburgh in November, while Lopez has been outspoken in recent months about COVID-19 relief efforts.

Some 20,000 National Guard soldiers are expected in Washington for Biden’s inauguration. The capital is already under heavy security, with much of downtown fenced off and under guard.

Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser has asked visitors to stay home due to the raging pandemic, and Airbnb has banned bookings in the capital around the time of the inauguration.

Aretha Franklin sang at Barack Obama’s first inauguration in 2009, while Beyonce performed at his second four years later.

Trump, who on Wednesday became the first president to be impeached for a second time for inciting the Capitol “insurrection,” had to settle for less well-known artists in 2017 due to his unpopularity in the entertainment world. Country singer Toby Keith headlined the event.

The outgoing president, who claims the election was rigged to deny him victory, will not attend the inauguration.