Crowds flood into the Mall for Buckingham Palace Jubilee concert as Kylie dons plastic poncho to rehearse in the rain
- Paul McCartney, Elton John Jessie J and Ed Sheeran also set to perform
- 10,000 tickets given away in free ballot
- Guests invited to 3pm lunch in Buckingham Palace gardens ahead of the event with hamper catered by Heston Blumenthal
There was no chance of rain stopping play today as performers prepared for Britain's biggest Jubilee street party - a free concert for 10,000 to be held outside Buckingham Palace tonight.
Kylie Minogue donned a plastic poncho as she rehearsed her set in the rain ahead of tonight's spectacular, tweeting the words 'Jubilee rehearsals #wetwetwet' to her followers.
The concert will be headlined by ex-Beatle Paul McCartney, who was present at the soundcheck this afternoon, prompting concert organiser Gary Barlow to tweet that he felt like a 'complete beginner' next to the rock legend.
Also set to perform later tonight is a world-class line-up of musical stars including Sir Elton John, as well as current chart toppers Jessie J and Ed Sheeran.
Wet Wet Wet! Kylie Minogue tweeted this picture of herself wearing a plastic poncho during very damp rehearsals for the free Jubilee concert to be held outside Buckingham Palace tonight
Ten thousand tickets have been given away through a public ballot for the event, to be held outside Buckingham Palace.
MIllions more will be able to watch the musical extravaganza live on BBC1 or tune in on Radio 2.
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Organised by Take That singer Gary Barlow, whose song released in honour of the Jubilee shot straight to number one on its release last night, it will showcase the best of pop, rock, classical and musical theatre from each decade of the monarch’s 60-year reign.
Gary Barlow took to Twitter today to express his excitement at the evening's event, and pay tribute to Paul McCartney, who he called a 'total legend', saying his rehearsal set made him 'feel like a complete beginner'.
Scroll down to hear from Gary Barlow
Palace pop: An artist's impression of the Queen Victoria Memorial, which will be the centre point of the Diamond Jubilee concert on June 4
Preparations: The concert stage is erected outside Buckingham Palace, with giant screens position along the Mall for those not lucky enough to win one of the 10,000 tickets given away for the event
Crowds on the Mall soak up the atmosphere today ahead of the concert tonight at Buckingham Palace
A unique concert stage has been designed to encircle the stunning gold-encrusted Queen Victoria Memorial which stands at the front of the palace with seating either side.
Giant screens will also be erected in the nearby Mall for members of the public not lucky enough to secure tickets to watch.
Gary, 41, has a strong line-up of artists but he is particularly happy that he has managed to secure the services of one of England's most successful musicians ever - Paul McCartney.
He said his experience of the Queen's Silver Jubilee in 1977 when he was a boy was of everyone coming together to celebrate: 'That's what we're trying to do here, make this concert all-encompassing for everyone involved, that's why I was so keen on moving it out of the back of the palace... and out the front.'
The singer added that this would enable crowds to congregate in The Mall and nearby Green Park to share the event he believes will attract 500,000 people.
'With Buckingham Palace as a backdrop, it's going to be a fantastic event which transcends multiple decades of music.'
King of tickets: Gary Barlow is helping to organise the massive concert, which will be headlined by Sir Paul McCartney
The Never Forget singer added the monarchy was scratching their heads to come up with something 'newer and better' to top Queen guitarist Brian May's scene-stealing performance at the Golden Jubilee concert in 2002, when he played the national anthem on the palace roof.
Sir Paul, 69, will not be the only knight of the realm to perform for Her Royal Highness.
Sir Elton John, Sir Cliff Richard, and Sir Tom Jones are also on the bill as is Dame Shirley Bassey.
Modern day artists such as Jessie J, JLS, and Ed Sheeran will be performing and Gary revealed that some of the younger royals had made requests for some of their favourite bands.
With an estimated audience of just over 10,000 people, the Duke of Cambridge, Prince Harry, and other members of the Royal Family will be in a special section to watch the show.
Guests have been invited to arrive from around 3.30pm to allow them to picnic in the palace gardens beforehand, despite the inclement weather.
Rock star: Sir Paul McCartney will be the premier attraction at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee concert
The ring master: Gary Barlow has organised the concert for the Queen
Young blood: Ed Sheeran and Jessie J are both confirmed to perform for the Queen tonight
Get the party started! Dame Shirley Bassey is looking forward to performing tonight
Music knight: Sir Elton John will also be performing for the Queen in June
Urban flavour: JLS have been confirmed to make an appearance at the Diamond Jubilee celebration
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