Janelle Monae and M.I.A. are to duet live from shows in New York and Los Angeles on Thursday night (03Apr14) thanks to new technology.

To celebrate the launch of the Audi A3, the two singers will perform at private events on America's east and west coasts.

The gigs will take a futuristic turn when Monae and M.I.A. are recreated as holograms at each other's shows for two new songs.

The event will be "the first hologram performance with integrated video mapping," according to a press release.

The bi-coastal set will utilise "3D projection mapping to add layered depth of field perception with animated graphic content".

As a result, the singers will appear onstage at the same time.