Has anyone else heard this rumour? Seems crazy but Jarvis did speculate about the opening ceremony on the EuroStar advert after all. Wonder if there's a link here!
Imagine how funny Common People would be in front of 80,000 people who paid £1,000+ to be there! Most of them being part of corporations, and we thought the cruise was bad!
P.S I am joking of course, Pulp playing the closing ceremony would be brilliant with the amount of people watching, and I'd love to see them! The exposure would be unreal...
Do any Americans know how much coverage we'll even be getting of this? The way NBC has been ""tailoring to an American audience"" leaves me wondering if they'll even bother airing all of it or if we'll just get stuck watching another mundane interview with Michael Phelps. Pulp or no Pulp, I would like to see Blur perform.
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The trees, those useless trees, produce the air that I am breathing
Yeah what's that all bout mate, Gem Andy and Liam wrote plenty of songs for Oasis, I don't get it ? (the first Beady Eye record is 99% of rejected Oasis songs too)
Liam wrote some good songs for the band, the other two, well...
-- Edited by andy on Tuesday 7th of August 2012 04:00:17 PM
At the Sydney closing ceremony Ben Lee sang We Are All In This Together. I was quite excited being one of the few Brits who'd even heard of him. Then Huw Fucking Edwards started yammering all over it. Tosser. Then at the Beijing closing ceremony they had the bit where it was passed on to Great Britain and we had a little handover display, whatever you call it. A seemingly ordinary London bus drives into the stadium. Then Huw Fucking Edwards pipes up "And now the bus will transform" a few seconds later it starts going all Transformers on us. Thanks for ruining the surprise Huw! Smug tosser.
Blur are playing hyde park at the same time of the closing ceremony, so it won't happen. But rumors say Liam Gallagher will be there.
Apparently there is going to be a link-up between Hyde Park and the Olympic Stadium while Parklife is being played. Sounds a bit cheesy but it can't be much more cheesy than the opening ceremony. Wouldn't be surprised if Liam Gallagher was to perform Wonderwall, sounds like the sort of thing he'd do
Blur are playing hyde park at the same time of the closing ceremony, so it won't happen. But rumors say Liam Gallagher will be there.
Apparently there is going to be a link-up between Hyde Park and the Olympic Stadium while Parklife is being played. Sounds a bit cheesy but it can't be much more cheesy than the opening ceremony. Wouldn't be surprised if Liam Gallagher was to perform Wonderwall, sounds like the sort of thing he'd do
Yeah it's gonna be Wonderwall reworked apparently. And where did you here that about the link-up ? I wonder how they will do it. Just showing Blur doing Parklife 10 miles from there do sound a bit cheesy. Or maybe they'll play at the Olympics then off to helicopter to Hyde Park... Or holograms. or cartoons... wait, that's not Blur.
Isn't the Henman Hill bit of the Olympic Park called "Park Live"?
I thought Liam said he hated Wonderwall and couldn't stand having to sing it ever again.
I suppose when people ask you to sing it in front of Billions of people, that might make you change your mind. + it will be the biggest ever audience Beady Eye will ever reach
Andy, to be fair, *all* Oasis songs were Noel's. Liam just sang 'em. As was the case with Wonderwall.
And Liltman, I didn't mind - to be honest - that Jarv didn't play Pulp. Some artists need to break from the past to strive out a new. It was definitely a lot less sad watching Jarvis play tracks off his albums than watching solo Brett Anderson play a set full of album tracks to a fairly lethargic audience, and then come out to do Trash, Can't Get Enough etc. in full rock showman stylee. It was as if he needed the attention and knew the only way to do it would be to play The Hits.
Jarvis, on the other hand, gave lectures. And the audiences loved him for it.
Yeah, Jarvis's solo has/had a sort-of dignity to it didn't it? I didn't want loads of Pulp tracks, just one a gig at the time. But looking back I loved the choice of covers I saw him perform (Heaven and Being Boiled)
Weed, there was a "Sussell Renior" in the Sheffield Star who was slagging off the band saying they'd be the kind of sell-outs who'd play something like this.
I don't know anything about the closing ceremony, but someone doing a bit of a monologue on the latest Now Show about his Olympic experience was commenting on how surprisingly good the music playing in the stadium has been, with Pulp at the top of his list.
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We'll use the one thing we've got more of, that's our minds.
Just read that all the tracks have been prerecorded with the London Symphany Orchestra & only vocals will be live.
I doubt that, especially considering that Muse (who've confirmed they're playing) refuse to mime usually and the bands in the opening ceremony played live
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Didn't you say things go better with a little bit of razzmatazz?
Where Beady Eye went wrong is they went back on their stance relating Oasis songs.
Originally it was a big no no, 'we're not going to play Oasis songs, why would we?' blah blah blah. They plugged the new record, and realised by the time this summer came around that they were confined to playing academy-sized venues. I think the success of Noel over the last year really told them they needed something different. And rather than making a better album and gaining more fans that way, they decided to go back on their original stance and start playing Oasis songs.
I was hoping one of you had some inside knowledge! Do I crack into my ISA and spend £3,000 on two tickets? What a stupid price! Is anyone going? Would be very proud if they played, but the more I think about it, the more I don't see it happening. If it were 1995/6 though! If if was definite I woul actually consider spending that much, stupid as it sounds. What a moment it would be. X
This morning's quote is something like "A symphony of Bristish music, a day in the life of London". So that'll be Mile End, 59 Lyndhurst Gove all rounded off with Common People. Clearly.
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We'll use the one thing we've got more of, that's our minds.
Well Pulp aren't even rumored and in the different line up, they were never mentioned, never ever. There could surprises but i don't see it happening. The way i see it though is Jarvis being involved one way or another, like Rowan Atkinson was or something. Maybe a ceremony host or a weird wizard like in Harry Potter.
Rumored line up is here http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/london-2012-olympics-closing-ceremony-1241815 -- Edited by andy on Saturday 11th of August 2012 08:56:45 PM
-- Edited by andy on Saturday 11th of August 2012 08:58:11 PM
On the one hand David Arnold has organised it, is pally with Jarvis, who has been at the Olympics, with Sheffield doing well there, and Britpop would obviously suggest Pulp. On the other they haven't been one of the names bandied about, they may not be considered as well known to the audience they're aiming for, and the term Britpop, going on some of the acts named, means British pop rather than the mid-90s genre. So to me it's 50/50.
Wasn't Liam supposed to be doing Wonderwall at the Opening Ceremony but it got cut? They were being billed as Oasis though so I don't know what that's all about. What makes you so sure Pulp won't be there? Blur aren't, strictly speaking, they're headlining the Hyde Park event and there's going to be a link-up.
Which all but confirms they probably aren't playing. If they are it's a very very closed guarded secret, but let's face it, it's not happening sadly.
As much as I like them it seems a bit unfair and unrepresentative that Madness get yet another shot at a huge, International spectacle such as this!
I expected to see Jarvis jump from a helicopter, and land on-stage in the Olympic Park just in time to start singing 'she came from Greece...'
Instead I think we'll have to settle for CP (not live) played over the speakers, alongside a long list of other British classics.
-- Edited by Barcroft on Sunday 12th of August 2012 03:35:16 AM
Well it's a show for the rest of the world, let's face it, the spice girls are more likely to make people turn up than Pulp, sadly. It's no surprise that those names have been leaked. I still expect a few surprises, but nothing that can sell papers.
-- Edited by andy on Sunday 12th of August 2012 07:11:37 AM
Christ, that went on a bit didn't it?! And what happened with the link-up to Blur at Hyde Park?
Some decent bits but a lot of tripe too like that obnoxious twat Jessie J and 10 mins+ for Elbow? Nice guys an'all but I don't think their public profile is that high despite the arena tours they do.
Christ, that went on a bit didn't it?! And what happened with the link-up to Blur at Hyde Park?
Some decent bits but a lot of tripe too like that obnoxious twat Jessie J and 10 mins+ for Elbow? Nice guys an'all but I don't think their public profile is that high despite the arena tours they do.
Blur never appeared on a link-up in the end, just Parklife with Royal Guards or similar. However, Harry Enfield appeared with Blur at Hyde Park, no idea why though...
Apparently The Libertines were asked to play the Opening Ceremony so maybe they were just turned down by all the decent bands? After hearing that I fully expect Pulp were ASKED to do it!
-- Edited by PulpBristol on Monday 13th of August 2012 11:50:34 AM
I thought Jessie J was one of the highlights, actually! At least she was singing live, when even Matt Bellamy chose to mime playing the guitar!
But I agree on Elbow. Jesus, that was dull. Pet Shop Boys were great, Madness a bit fun, Ray Davies lovely sounding (but so fragile looking) and despite being a huge Beatles fan, I quite enjoyed the Russell Brand bit.
I didn't like it. Ray Davies was ok but it was such a predictable song choice. Muse were disappointing, the guitar was way too quiet (i didnt realise he was miming too!). That Bowie thing was strange, its like they were planning to introduce him but he didn't turn up!
Very predictable song for Ray I agree, but it *is* about London. I thought it was pretty beautiful, anyway.
Just seemed to me that Matt Bellamy's hand wasn't matching the rhythm. And also...he had no pedals! I'm not sure one can sound like Muse without pedals. His singing seemed live, though.
So much Bowie anticipation, I know. Of course, there are all sorts of terrible rumours about him these days (Alzheimers being the favourite, but cancer and a failing heart being runners up). That said, it looks like he might just want to be retired - there are some photos of him shopping in wherever it is in America he lives earlier this year, and he looks pretty sharp.
I do hope he does something else someday, though. I don't like the world without Bowie :(
yeah the noel gallagher lookalike, was that the guy with hair like one of the bay city rollers? (showing my age)
things i did actually like: the welsh choirs when the flag was being taken down, that was fairly moving the indian dancing and drums spice girls (sorry) jessie j - ok well i didn't actually like that, it was one of the least shit bits ray davies ummmm can't think of anything else and seb coe can fuck right off
I thought the Spice Girls *act* was good, and thought Mel B and Emma sounded quite good, but the others were a bit screechy.
I thought Jessie J was pretty good, actually. Seemed to be singing live, and at least she knew how to perform to a crowd. The song she did that was her own ain't bad either, as far as chart pop goes.
Eric Idle was amusing 'til he started to remind me of my Dad when he mimics his Indian doctor's accent.
I don't think Pulp were asked, in my opinion, because if they were I would have expected to hear at least a little bit of a poorly arranged and conceived instrumental snippet. People whi I think were invited but said 'no' are Roger Waters and David Gilmour and David Bowie. And I've gotta say it but wtf were the Kaiser Chiefs there for? Also, what was up with Liam's voice? He seemed to be singing in a much higher register than I've ever heard him sing that song in before.
PulpBristol, I think timings wouldn't have worked out with a live link up to Hyde Park. And think how bad the sound would have been. Ouch!
I'd also assume the Stones would have been asked to do it. If you can't get the Beatles or the Stones to represent the 60s, you have to head for the Who and the Kinks.
Thank God the surviving members generally said yes. Otherwise we'd have been watching the Dave Clarke FiveFour Three and Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich.
I will not hear Matt Bellamy's name being sullied! From what I can understand, the band were told to record the 'live' music backing before, and then have live vocals over that. Hence the lack of their touring keyboardist Morgan (who later played bass with The Who).
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Didn't you say things go better with a little bit of razzmatazz?
Clearly The Who should have been where the Kaiser Chiefs were and the Stones should have finished things off. It beggars belief that they couldn't get their act together in their 50th anniversary year to play a couple of songs.
Well Beady Eye was probably the best moment of the ceremony, which really, i wasn't expecting. The Who are just plain boring, i don't get why that band still tours. Daltrey was just trying to stay up on his feet.
That was fucking rubbish, wasn't it? And for goodness sake- WHY did Emeli Sandie or whatever she's called have such a prominent place in both the opening and closing ceremony?! She's not even that famous, is she?? Seems pretty fishy to me.
Also, a really weird bit was when they played the whole madness/blur/pet shop boys/one direction medley AGAIN- do you think something else was meant to go there, but there was a technical problem? Is that when the Hyde Park link up was meant to happen?
Also, I can't hate Brian May. The fox and badger on the arms of his jacket were just brilliant, and hopefully they didn't go unnoticed by david cunting cameron (he doesn't deserve capital letters).
Callum, I thought it might be due to the atheletes' entrance taking longer than expected, so they looped the previous performance rather than got anyone else to play. I presume the thinking being that if more 'new' performances occurred, the shine would be taken off the athletes.
When the athletes should, technically, be what it's all about I suppose, rather than armchair critics shouting out about how the bookends to the Games don't quite fulfill their entire musical/historical/racist tastes.
Also, what was up with Liam's voice? He seemed to be singing in a much higher register than I've ever heard him sing that song in before.
His voice got lower with age, and they're trying to avoid the "kermit effect". It's a common effect known by Oasis fans that happened between 2002 and 2003 and comes back after the 2nd gig of every new tour. See this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIzqXnRqpSs or this : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NLcUx8A1JI&feature=related
Albarn reveals that, unsurprisingly, they got paid practically nothing:
http://www.nme.com/news/blur--2/65481
So that's a reason why Pulp may not have wanted to do it.
Completely off-topic... I was wondering through Soho yesterday and came across a certain Bar Italia by chance (only just moved to London). So I had to stop by for some refreshments to see what it was all about :). I expected to see you all in there on your laptops!
...there's never enogh room for your elbows at the tables for a laptop...
Welcome to Capital City!
-- Edited by superchob on Tuesday 14th of August 2012 12:16:14 AM
It was indeed due to the athletes taking too long that the same songs got played. But that's no excuse, they should have had more songs prepared for that, especially when the Opening Ceremony overran. My wife got it right when she said the ceremony was maybe designed to turn everyone back to their cynical old selfs, because by and large it was bloody awful! What the fuck was that piss poor recreation of the Wish You Were Here album sleeve all about? Why tease people into thinking Bowie was there, only for his segment to be an intro to a bloody fashion show? Why did George Michael get away with playing his new song that nobody could give a toss about? Why Emelie Sande AGAIN? Jessie J singing about not caring about money while driving around in an expensive car, why? It's not a question of a lot of the music not being to my taste, I was prepared for that. Why did Kate Bush re-record her vocals for Running Up That Hill and not even turn up? The Who were great, don't know how anybody could knock their performance, but i'm not sure they should have finished things off. This guy got it right.
http://christt.com/words/closingceremony/
Albarn reveals that, unsurprisingly, they got paid practically nothing:
http://www.nme.com/news/blur--2/65481
So that's a reason why Pulp may not have wanted to do it.
Completely off-topic... I was wondering through Soho yesterday and came across a certain Bar Italia by chance (only just moved to London). So I had to stop by for some refreshments to see what it was all about :). I expected to see you all in there on your laptops!
Albarn reveals that, unsurprisingly, they got paid practically nothing:
http://www.nme.com/news/blur--2/65481
So that's a reason why Pulp may not have wanted to do it.
Completely off-topic... I was wondering through Soho yesterday and came across a certain Bar Italia by chance (only just moved to London). So I had to stop by for some refreshments to see what it was all about :). I expected to see you all in there on your laptops!
The only time I've been to Bar Italia was at 5am after being chucked out of Blow Up (this would be around the year 2000)
It was the only place open at that ungodly hour and full of drug casualties. We had to stop one guy who was literally about to chew off his tongue.
Have viewed the song in a much clearer light since then!
They could have renamed it (Yes! how good was) Mile End. I mean it's close to the olympics stadium. Few lyrics changes and it's good to go
We didn't have no where to live, / we didn't have nowhere to go 'til someone said / "I know this place off the Loop Road." It was on the fifteenth day, / we had an olympics holiday. It took an hour / to pry it off and get inside. / It smelt as if someone had cried; the sitting room was full of flags, / the kitchen sink was blocked, the bathroom sink not there at all. / Ooh, / it's a mess alright, / How good was Mile End. / And now we're living in the sky! / I'd never thought I'd live so high, / just like Heaven / (if it didn't look like Hell.) The lift is always full of piss, / the fifth floor landing smells of filet o fish (not just on Friday, / every single 15 olympics days .)
Below the kids come out tonight, / they kick a ball and have a boxing fight and maybe hug somebody even if they lose in the pool. Ooh, / it's a mess alright, / how good was / Mile End. [mumbled mutterings... you love it...] Oo-ooh / Everyobdy's wants to be your friend 'cause you're not from round here, / ooh / as if that was something to be proud about. / The burger king of the Isle of Dogs feeds up children with hot dogs. / Down by the playing fields, someone sets a torch on fire I guess you have to go right now before you understand just how, / how good, how good a human being can be. / Ooh, / it's a mess alright, / yes it was Mile End. / (please do that! Leave your medal out!)
-- Edited by andy on Tuesday 14th of August 2012 01:43:45 PM
The different styles of the artistic directors was thrown into sharp relief while watching the closing ceremony. Danny Boyle's opener was clever, witty and entertaining and Kim Gavin's was rather boring, unstructured and aimless. One is a film director and the other is a choreographer for large stadium shows for acts like Take That.
Someone (I forget whom) tweeted that Danny Boyle had been taken to hospital with excessive dehydration due to how much he had been pissing himself laughing during the closing ceremony...
Queen have got We Are The Champions (and a dozen others), Bowie's got Heroes (although they didn't use it foolishly). If Pulp or Jarvis had played what thematically significant song could they have played? The closest I can think of is Everbody Loves The Underdog - but that doesn't quite work does it?
The songs could either, it seems, be about winning/participating or about London itself. Hence West End Girls/Parklife etc. The closest Pulp have got is Mile End.
