Having just sat through the often spectacular and occasionally peculiar opening ceremony for the London 2012 Olympics I was particularly struck by the music on display.
Let’s face it, with so many top calibre artists coming from the UK over the decades (including the opening notes to the Sex Pistols “God Save The Queen” cheekily snuck in with Her Majesty in attendance) these olympics could have been held in Milton Keynes and they would have still sounded awesome.
On top of the many glorious interjections from Underworld over the course of the ceremony British electronica was well represented by The Chemical Brothers and Mike Oldfield.
I cracked a smile when the appropriately named track “Olympians” by the not so appropriately named Fuck Buttons received it’s fair share of air time. Frank Turner looked like an extra from Lord Of The Rings on that hill and Later on Dizzee Rascal gave his standard energetic “Bonkers” performance.
While the Chinese delegation walked out to the sound of Pet Shop Boy‘s “West End Girls” Team GB‘s entrance was excellently matched with David Bowie‘s “Heroes“.
Before Paul McCartney wheeled out his obligatory extended rendition of “Hey Jude” the Arctic Monkeys pleased us with an oldie of sorts in the shape of “I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor” before showing the old Beatle how it’s done with their version of “Come Together“.
Big up to Danny Boyle for putting on a spectacular ceremony that warmed the heart of even this big cynic.
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