Duran Duran, Snow Patrol, Stereophonics kick off Olympics with concert
British singer Simon Le Bon (L) and guitar player John Taylor from the band Duran Duran perform on stage during the BT London Live Concert at Hyde Park in London on July 27, 2012.
The 2012 Olympics kicked off with a special Hyde Park concert featuring UK bands Duran Duran, Snow Patrol, Stereophonics and Paolo Nutini.
The BBC reported the show coincided with the games' opening ceremony, which aired on large screens in the park.
But as the Los Angeles Times wrote, the event wasn't an official Olympics event, but meant to coincide with the Danny Boyle-directed opening ceremony across town. Each of the four acts represented the different countries of the United Kingdom.
Scottish singer-songwriter Nutini opened the concert, Duran Duran represented England, Stereophonics are Welsh and Snow Patrol represented Northern Ireland, the BBC reported.
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Duran Duran's John Taylor told the BBC: "We feel very English. But we feel British too, so we're in the right place."
Lead singer Simon Le Bon, who performed in a union jack themed jacket, called the gig "amazing" and said it was "the biggest show we've ever played in London town," adding "may we have a peaceful games".
Snow Patrol frontman Gary Lightbody joked "My 100 metre sprinting days are long past me."
Over at the opening ceremony at the Olympic Stadium, crowds of 80,000 gathered including the Queen and a number of other celebrities and world figures.
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