Exclusive: Bruno Mars, Ed Sheeran added to Rock in Rio Las Vegas

Bruno Mars and Ed Sheeran have been added to the lineup for the inaugural U.S. edition of Rock in Rio.

Festival organizers are expected to announce the latest additions, which also include soul singer Joss Stone, in Las Vegas on Monday.

Rock in Rio will be anchored in Las Vegas over two weekends in May. One weekend will be dedicated to rock acts, the other will be packed with pop performers.

Taylor Swift, No Doubt, Linkin Park and Metallica were revealed as main stage headliners last month when organizers officially announced plans to launch the festival in the States. John Legend and the Deftones are also on the bill, with both acts set for the Sunset Stage, one of several that will be erected.

The inaugural U.S. edition is timed to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the festival, which launched in Rio de Janerio in 1985 with performances by Queen, AC/DC, Rod Stewart and Iron Maiden. Rock in Rio expanded to Lisbon in 2004 and Madrid in 2008. Its 14 editions have attracted more than 7.4 million people, according to organizers.

Rock in Rio’s first U.S. edition is set for May 8-9 and May 15-16, and the festival will be housed on a custom-made “City of Rock” spread over 37 acres on the Strip. Organizers teamed with MGM Resorts International and Cirque du Soleil to construct the permanent, open-air venue.

The City of Rock will feature six stages, a 600-foot-long zipline, a Ferris wheel and three themed “Rock Streets” inspired by the culture and music of the U.S., U.K. and Brazil.

Festival grounds will have a capacity of 85,000 people per day. The VIP area – which can accommodate up to 4,000 people – will boast an air-conditioned section and, because this is Vegas, an all-inclusive buffet.

Tickets go on sale Jan. 20 through Ticketmaster. General admission weekend passes are $298 and daily VIP passes go for $498.