Music Takes Center Stage At Olympics Opening Ceremony
July 30, 2012
Arctic Monkeys
British music was one of the linchpins of Friday's opening ceremony for the 2012 Olympics, as director Danny Boyle incorporated decades of songs and pop culture into the epic event. Music for the ceremony was overseen by electronic veterans Underworld, who also performed. Arctic Monkeys played a cover of The Beatles' "Come Together" for the worldwide audience, as well as their own "I Bet You Look Good On The Dance Floor." Sir Paul McCartney ended the evening with a giant sing-along of "Hey Jude." UK acts such as Dizzee Rascal and Emeli Sandé also performed live.
Boyle also sprinkled bits of classic British artists' music throughout the entire ceremony, as viewers heard pieces of songs from The Who, The Kinks, The Rolling Stones, The Sex Pistols, The Jam, The Specials, David Bowie, Queen, Radiohead and many, many more.
A compilation of songs featured on Friday's opening ceremony went on sale immediately overseas, selling 10,000 copes in Britain already. The digital collection hit #5 on the iTunes sales chart over the weekend. Titled Isles Of Wonder, the set will be out physically in the States on August 6.
Meanwhile at London's Hyde Park, four bands performed a massive concert, with each act representing a different country in the United Kingdom. Scottish singer-songwriter Paolo Nutini opened the concert, followed by Duran Duran representing England and rockers Stereophonics performed on behalf of Wales. Snow Patrol ended the night, representing Northern Ireland.