Virtual J-Pop Star To Join Lady Gaga On Tour

A computer-generated Japanese pop star who performs as a hologram will support Lady Gaga on her US tour next month.

Hatsune Miku will perform in 3D alongside a band made of real musicians at the shows which start in Atlanta on May 6.

"My favourite digital pop star Hatsune Miku is opening The Artpop Ball from May 6-June 3!" @ladygaga said on her Twitter feed.

"Look at how cute she is!," she added, with a link to YouTube video showing the digital diva in action.

The virtual singer has become one of the hottest stars on the J-pop scene in the last few years.

J-pop is an abbreviation of Japanese pop, a genre which became mainstream in the 1990s.

Miku's turn on tour with Lady Gaga comes ahead of support by fellow Asian superstars Crayon Pop.

The South Korean girl group topped the K-pop charts last year when their danceable ditty Bar Bar Bar - featuring their signature helmets and piston-style line dancing - went viral on YouTube.

The five-piece are set to join Lady Gaga for the second half of the North American section of the tour, playing more than a dozen gigs.

The Artpop Ball tour heads overseas in August, with dates in Japan, South Korea, Australia, and much of Europe.

Lady Gaga is playing at the O2 in London in October.