Global gigs planned to celebrate 250 years of Guinness

Hip hop favourites Black Eyed Peas and rockers Kasabian are among music stars lining up for a clutch of global concerts to toast 250 years of Guinness this autumn.

The gigs celebrating the birth of the black stuff take place on September 24 in Dublin, New York, Lagos, Cameroon and Kuala Lumpur.

Irish punk legends The Undertones and classic British dance chart-toppers Soul II Soul are also set to raise their glasses to the drink's founder Arthur Guinness.

The Irish event will, of course, form the centrepiece with the main party at Dublin's legendary St James' Gate Brewery, where Guinness signed his 9,000 year lease a quarter of a millennium ago.

Brian Duffy, the drinks company's global brand director, said the year marked a momentous occasion for the world-renowned pint of plain.

"I am so proud to be a part of the 250th celebrations, and look forward to raising my glass to a truly inspirational man, Arthur Guinness," he said.

While the precise line-up of all the global concerts have yet to be finalised, the Dublin gig will include performances from The Undertones, Soul II Soul, The Enemy and Mystery Jets.

Estelle, Kasabian, The Wombats, D'Banj, renowned Belfast DJ David Holmes, Mongrel, Noah & the Whale and Johnny Flynn have also been signed up.

The main concert will take place at the Guinness Storehouse and will be streamed live via Sky television to thousands of pubs throughout the UK on the day.

There will be other events at bars and clubs in Dublin while the Black Eyed Peas will be playing at the Asian gig.

Celebrities including Sir Bob Geldof, Guy Ritchie, Jerry Hall and Sophie Dahl have also been lined up to raise a pint at 17.59 (Dublin time) in recognition of the achievements of Arthur Guinness and his family.

Guinness will also set up a five million euro (£4.5 million) Arthur Guinness Fund for good causes to mark the milestone.

Taken from the Belfast Telegraph.