The highly anticipated closing ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics took place on August 11, captivating audiences with spectacular performances from renowned artists, including French sensations Phoenix, Air, and Kavinsky. The event showcased hit songs such as “Lisztomania” and “1901” by Phoenix, who collaborated with Air for “Playground Love” and joined forces with Kavinsky and Belgian pop star Angèle for a lively rendition of “Nightcall.” Additionally, Phoenix welcomed VannDa for “Funky Squaredance” and Vampire Weekend’s Ezra Koenig for their latest collaboration “Tonight.” The atmosphere intensified as Olympians took the stage to celebrate alongside the musicians at the iconic Stade de France.
As part of the ceremonial handover to the upcoming 2028 Games in Los Angeles, H.E.R. delivered a powerful performance of the American national anthem while showcasing her guitar skills. The ceremony also included thrilling visuals of Tom Cruise performing various stunts within the stadium and preparing for the U.S. event, which drew mixed reactions from local critics.
Highlighting the festivities, the Red Hot Chili Peppers brought energy to a beach setting in Los Angeles, delivering their anthem “Can’t Stop” as vocalist Anthony Kiedis energized the crowd. Following them, Billie Eilish provided a moving performance of “Birds of a Feather” from a lifeguard box, joined by her brother Finneas and a talented ensemble.
Adding to the star-studded lineup, Snoop Dogg made a memorable entrance from behind a grand sand sculpture to perform “Drop It Like It’s Hot” and “The Next Episode,” the latter featuring a surprise appearance by Dr. Dre. Snoop’s involvement throughout the Olympics has been significant, from lighting the torch during the opening ceremony to offering commentary at equestrian events.
The closing ceremony also featured pianist Alain Roche, who showcased his talent while suspended mid-air, and Yseult’s emotive performance of “Comme d’habitude,” a song famously covered by Frank Sinatra as “My Way.”
After the event, Phoenix expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to celebrate with athletes and the global audience, stating, “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 take the stage with friends from France and beyond, honoring the French spirit and staying true to our motto: Liberté, Égalité, Phoenix! We are excited to pass the baton to the Paralympic athletes and to Los Angeles for the upcoming 2028 Games.”
