London turned on the biggest pop party of the year to close the XXX Olympiad. You could be forgiven for forgetting this was a sporting, not a musical event.
There were more pop stars than you can poke a Grammy at, with just about every rumoured act making an appearance in the Olympic Stadium.
It began with Emeli Sande and morphed into Julian Lloyd Webber and the London Symphony Orchestra.
Highlight acts included a reunited Spice Girls, including X Factor judge Mel B, entering via London cabs.
Jessie J.’s vocals were probably the best of the entire show, singing first with Tinie Tempah and Taio Cruz, then as guest vocalist with Queen’s Brian May and Roger Taylor. Freddie Mercury made an appearance via video leading an arena sing-off.
There was Madness singing Our House. deadpan-faced Pet Shop Boys performing West End Girls and One Direction miming. Annie Lennox also appeared to mime but put on a theatrical mardi-gras style performance.
George Michael pleased the crowd with Freedom ’90 but the decision to mine his new single White Light was a bad idea all round. It fell flat.
John Lennon’s Imagine was recreated with a children’s choir as his likeness was assembled with a huge white mask.
There was Muse, Liam Gallagher, Kaiser Chiefs, Ed Sheerhan singing Pink Floyd, Fatboy Slim, Ray Davies, Elbow, and Stomp threw in the theatrics across a glowing London set including Tower Bridge, Big Ben and St Paul’s Cathedral.
Eric Idle led an over-the-top version of Always Look on the Bright Side of Life. Is this the first Olympics ceremony to ever officially utter the word “shit?” (“Life’s a piece of shit, when you look at it”).
There were homages to The Italian Job, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory with Russell Brand (what no A Clockwork Orange?) and a bit of Bollywood.
Supermodels were there: Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and co.
Kate Bush, David Bowie and Electric Light Orchestra were all channelled with audio recordings.
Brazil had a moment in the spotlight ahead of Rio 2016, but couldn’t match Britain’s celebrity-laden party. Pele was a nice touch.
Take That turned up, including Gary Barlow -a real trouper considering his personal tragedy in the last week.
The Who closed the show with a medley of their greatest songs.
London’s Games have been a success on every front, and have delivered successful viewing numbers to Nine and Foxtel.
The Paralympics take place later this month and will screen on ABC.
See you in Rio.
2012 Closing Ceremony is repeated tonight at 9:30pm on Nine and later on Foxtel.
I guess like the opening NBC viewers are getting a raw deal again in the US.
ultimateclassicrock.com/who-bumped-from-olympics/
I thought it was extremely well done. Also liked that the commentators didn’t talk too much. Thank you.
Going by Eddie McGuire’s commentary he never watched the classic British comedy “Only Fools and Horses”,here’s a hint Eddie….Batman and Robin in a little yellow car..
930 means 950 after extended bb and underbelly! Poor form
Good to know that still only Sporty can actually sing.
I though Adele was going to sing?
One direction wasn’t lip synching/miming?????
It was a great finale to a great games. So many British stars. So good to see the Spice Girls. I grew up with them so yeah. These were the 2nd best ever behind Sydney which nothing will ever compare to ever. I just wish those stupid Channel 9 commentators would have kept their mouths shut. I don’t care Eddie i don’t care.
It will be interesting to see who and how much is spent on the next set of games. Anyone but Nine please IOC!
I’ll be watching later. No mention of The Rolling Stones. I would have liked to see them included.
where was elton john? i was waiting for him to make an appearence
Jessie J, Fatboy Slim & Take That were simply awesome………….
I say most of it before going out this morning, just a shame Nine didn’t decide to put this on earlier. Those who couldn’t watch it this morning are unlikely to be able to stay up past midnight to see it.
Besides those who are not turned off but Big Brother might not be watching UB, you would think the closing is more a family affair but they choose to show it from 9:30(ish) I doubt UB will end on time.
Time to break out the PVRs.
I thought Brazil’s segment was very flat..I was so looking forward to seeing what they would show…however the singers were uninspiring and not very good, and the production and singing seemed awfully flat compared to the Brits…I expected more ‘Oomph” considering they provide such glamour and a fabulous music beat at Mardi Gras in Rio
Note David – The new George Michael track is called White Light, not Alive. But yes, such a bad idea for a performance, nothing says party like a song about almost dying from pneumonia.
Enjoyed the John Lennon piece and Always Look at the Bright Side of Life, but thought there were too many old grandads singing (some badly).
It would be nice if CH9 didnt have adds tonight for the encore screening, I might lose the mood if I see another coles ad….
The ceremony nicely filled a lot of the gaps missing from the opening and was far more entertaining for my money. Highlights included the Kaiser Chiefs covering “Pinball Wizard” and Liam’s first live performance of “Wonderwall” since Oasis disbanded. Also loved the whole John Lennon thing. It’s just a shame Bowie and Paul Weller couldn’t make it.