The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris came to a spectacular close on Sunday with a star-studded musical performance featuring some of France’s most beloved artists. Phoenix, the indie rock band from Versailles, took centre stage at the Stade de France, performing a medley of songs that had the sea of athletes dancing and singing along.
Phoenix’s setlist spanned their impressive catalogue, with songs ranging from their early days to their most recent record Alpha Zulu, released in 2022. They kicked off the performance with the infectious Lisztomania from their 2009 album Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, before welcoming French DJ-producer Kavinsky and Belgian singer Angèle onstage for a rendition of Nightcall from the Drive soundtrack.
Later on, Cambodian rapper VannDa joined Phoenix to breathe new life into some of their classic hits, including If I Ever Feel Better and Funky Squaredance.
The night also featured an appearance by Air, another legendary band from Versailles, who performed their hit song Playground Love from 2000 film The Virgin Suicides. Vampire Weekend’s Ezra Koenig, who has collaborated with Phoenix in the past, also took the stage to duet on Tonight before the set wrapped up with 1901.
After the show, Phoenix shared a statement regarding the experience: “We are infinitely happy to have had the chance to celebrate with all the athletes and the entire world at the Closing of the Olympic Games in our beloved city of Paris.”
“It was a wonderful moment to have been invited to take the stage with our friends from France and around the world, honouring the French spirit and remaining true to our motto: Liberté, Égalité, Phoenix! We are thrilled to both pass the baton to the Paralympics athletes and to Los Angeles for the forthcoming 2028 games.”
Check out the performances below.
@hurricanedario Tonight by Phoenix in the Paris 2024 Closing Ceremony y en FIFA❤️🤗 #fyp #Olympics #phoenix #fifa23 #paris #recommendations #foryou
Phoenix performs Nightcall (Guy-Man produced) with Kavinsky at Paris Olympics Closing Ceremony
byu/Connor_Cleve inDaftPunk
Elsewhere, singer-songwriter H.E.R. played a stunning rendition of the US national anthem, and welcomed Tom Cruise as he rappelled down from the roof of the Stade de France in Paris.
