UK: OLYMPICS: Thousands watch celebration concert marking the Olympics Opening Ceremony in London's Hyde Park.

Record ID: 330957

  • Title: UK: OLYMPICS: Thousands watch celebration concert marking the Olympics Opening Ceremony in London's Hyde Park.
  • Date: 28th July 2012
  • Summary: SOUNDBITE (English) SPECTATOR PHIL GARROOD FROM LONDON, SAYING: "I think it's just London at its best, I think the last seven years and the build-up to what's going to go on is just amazing and I think this is such a fantastic city, such a fantastic country and I just want to be part of something and I couldn't get tickets for the opening ceremony so this is the next best thing and it's just party time. The next two weeks are gonna be like no other time on earth I think in this city, it's gonna be amazing." VARIOUS OF CROWD DANCING SOUNDBITE (English) SPECTATORS (L-R) JO GREENING, CAROLINE MATTHEWS AND ZEINA BEYDOUN FROM LONDON, SAYING: CAROLINE: "I am just proud that we are showing off our country to the world and how amazing it is, and what a good show we can put on." JO: "Cos it's showcasing London. This whole time it's showcasing London and we want to be part of it, and I love to be British, it's great." MORE OF CROWD DANCING
  • Embargoed: 12th August 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: United Kingdom
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: Arts,Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA900MR5PTPN6SMKRT87GTMJYL1
  • Story Text: Thousands packed into London's Hyde on Friday (July 27) for a music concert celebrating the start of the Olympics.
    Snow Patrol, Duran Duran, Stereophonics and Paolo Nutini performed at the gig, while the action from the opening ceremony was shown on big screens.
    Spectator Phil Garrood from London was happy to be watching events in the park: "I couldn't get tickets for the opening ceremony so this is the next best thing and it's just party time." He said.
    All the acts on the line-up were chosen to represent the different nations which make up the UK.
    Scottish singer songwriter Nutini kicked off proceedings, more than an hour before the opening ceremony with a rendition of his single 10/10.
    Speaking before going on stage guitarist John Taylor from English rock band Duran Duran said he was 'very proud' to be on the bill, while keyboard player Nick Rhodes hoped the sun would stay out.
    Unfortunately there was some wet weather during their set. Before going on, guitarist Andy Taylor explained it had been hard to decide what to play: "Yeah we have been talking about this show for months and months, it's been many hours spent talking about the set list because we want it to be a really powerful set but we still wanted to represent the new record."
    Famous for hits such as 'Chasing Cars', Snow Patrol were last on the line-up. Speaking before going on stage lead singer Gary Lightbody said it was a 'big deal' to be involved "The way it was put to us was that you'll be representing your country, so the little tear forms in your eye and you can't help but be swept along in that and that's a big deal, that's a big deal for us, you know Northern Ireland means the world to us," he said.
    When asked who they would award medals to, if there was a musical Olympics, Andy Taylor said Led Zeppelin would get his gold, while Gary Lightbody picked American folk band Bon Iver for his top spot.
    Le Bon also revealed he's looking forward to watching sprinter Usain Bolt compete, while band mates Nick Rhodes and John Taylor enjoy ladies gymnastics.
    The spectacular concert was the start of BT London Live - two weeks of free entertainment across three venues in the capital.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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