Oscars 2014: Karen O, U2, Idina Menzel to perform at ceremony

This year’s Academy Awards ceremony promises to feature a Grammy-worthy lineup of musical performers, with indie rocker Karen O, Broadway star Idina Menzel and arena-rock veterans U2 now set to join previously announced singer-producer-rapper Pharrell Williams on the bill.

Each of the four artists will perform a number nominated for original song: Karen O will perform “The Moon Song,” which she wrote with Spike Jonze for the future-set love story “Her”; Menzel will sing “Let It Go,” written by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez for the animated musical “Frozen”; U2 will play “Ordinary Love,” which the band wrote for “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom”; and Williams will perform “Happy,” which he wrote for the animated adventure “Despicable Me 2.”

PANORAMA: Oscar nominees class photo

A fifth contender for original song, “Alone Yet Not Alone,” from the little-seen film of the same name, had its nomination revoked last month for violating academy rules about campaigning for awards.

The inclusion of four song performances does threaten to contribute to the ceremony’s always-lengthy running time, though the show has a long history of showcasing the nominated tunes. In recent years, it has done so somewhat unevenly.

Only two of the three nominated songs were performed in 2009, no nominated songs were performed in 2010 or 2012, and three of the five nominated songs were performed last year.

The Academy Awards will be held March 2.

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