M

ore than 2,000 fans are awaiting legendary British singer/songwriter Rod Stewart’s first concert in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Stewart has a decades-long career, and is known for such hits as “Maggie May”, “Have I Told You Lately That I Love You” and “You’re in My Heart (The Final Acclaim)”.

Out of the 3,000 tickets offered, 2,000 are already sold, Arief Rama-dhoni of concert promoter Big Daddy told The Jakarta Post on Monday.

The ticket sales indicate fans’ great enthusiasm despite skyrocketing prices for concert tickets in the capital.

It was reported that the cheapest tickets for the concert, perhaps one of the most expensive in the country, were offered at Rp 1.5 million (US$168) for festival seating. For better spots, music lovers might have to dig deep, paying as much as Rp 15 million per ticket.

But, it seems Indonesian fans are willing to pay any price to enjoy the much-loved singer. Making the concert even more desirable is the fact that Indonesia is the only country in Asia that the musician included in his world tour.

Big Daddy president director Michael Rusli said the show will be worth the price, promising an exciting performance from a world-class musician.

“For Rod Stewart fans, we want to maximize the experience,” Michael said as quoted by kompas.com recently.

That experience will include giveaways from the star. “He will throw dozens of soccer balls that he signed out to the audience,” Arief said of one element of the show.

Apart from his brilliant music career, Stewart is known as an avid soccer fan that idolizes Arsenal, a soccer club from England.

The concert, to be held at the Jakarta Convention Center, is expected to be grand, as Big Daddy has reportedly spent at least Rp 20 billion to prepare, making it the most expensive show the promoter has ever held.

Big Daddy said the stage was designed to accommodate 20 musicians, while the sound system is three times bigger than the normal capacity.

With a “Greatest Hits” theme, the British icon is slated to sing 24 songs during the planned two-hour performance.

Starting his career in the 1960s, Stewart has sold over 100 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling artists of all time, BBC News reported.

As a solo artist, Stewart was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994, and will be inducted for the second time in April this year as a member of Faces, the English rock band that made him famous.