Pop icon Prince will headline a series of concerts at Yas Island, organisers confirmed Tuesday.

Hip hop star Kanye West and alternative rock band Linkin Park are also set to perform in Abu Dhabi, following the second edition of the capital’s Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Grand Prix.

West will perform on the first night, while Linkin Park take to the stage after racing events end on November 13, before the 'Purple Rain' singer brings things to a close on November 14.

The concerts are only open to those holding tickets to the Grand Prix.

But people without tickets can take in several other artists at Al Sahil Beach at the Abu Dhabi corniche, including American R&B singer Kelis and the Arabic superstars Nancy Ajram and Fares Karem.

The events are part of Yasalam 2010, which organisers Flash Entertainment are calling a month-long party of “once-in-a-lifetime experiences inspired by the passion, energy, and glamour of motorsport”.

Also on the calendar are a series of activities around the capital, called Yasalam Live Across the City, including community programmes in universities and public locations, as well as live events, exhibitions and entertainment on the corniche. Except for the after-race concerts, all events are free to the public.

Nearly half a million people attended last year’s Yasalam events, Flash Entertainment Managing Director John Lickrish said.

“Yasalam remains a vital tool with which to project our growing ambitions as an international entertainment and leisure destination. We once again look forward to another spectacular month of celebrations across Abu Dhabi as we build up to one of our biggest sporting events on November 14,” Ossama Khoreibi, Chairman of Flash Entertainment said in a media statement.