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

Record ID: 330960

  • Title: UK: OLYMPICS: Thousands watch celebration concert marking the Olympics Opening Ceremony in London's Hyde Park.
  • Date: 28th July 2012
  • Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (JULY 27, 2012) (REUTERS) SOUNDBITE (English) (L-R) SINGER SIMON LE BON AND GUITARIST ANDY TAYLOR ANDY: "I mean being in Hyde Park now makes me think of Led Zeppelin. I think that would be my gold medal winner, I think. SIMON: "Ha, I was thinking what event we'd be in and I think we'd be in the marathon." ANDY: "Yeah I suppose we would actually." SNOW PATROL SINGER GARY LIGHTBODY WALKING DOWN STEPS (SOUNDBITE) (English) SNOW PATROL LEAD SINGER GARY LIGHTBODY, SAYING: "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 and we're delighted to be here hopefully putting our best foot forward for them." LIGHTBODY MEETING PRESS (SOUNDBITE) (English) SNOW PATROL LEAD SINGER GARY LIGHTBODY, SAYING: "Bon Iver would get the gold medal for me. Katy Perry would get a silver medal for sure, and now I have said that now we've got to give Ed Sheeran a medal, so I am going to give Ed Sheeran a medal." LIGHTBODY WALKING DOWN STEPS VARIOUS CROWD DANCING AND WAVING FLAGS
  • Embargoed: 12th August 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: United Kingdom
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: Arts,Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA12YBU2EFUG7QFHAVAD6XK17ME
  • 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.
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