SAINT-DENIS, France (AP) — The 2024 Olympics are drawing to a close Sunday with an elaborate closing ceremony at the Stade de France just north of Paris. It’s a more traditional setting after the Seine River was used for the audacious opening ceremony , but don’t expect it to be dull. There’ll be over a hundred performers, acrobats, dancers and circus artists , the organizers say.
Lead singer Thomas Mars is leaning into it, jumping into the crowd, slapping hands and now throwing his jacket in the air as confetti falls. A big group of American athletes are jumping up and down next to the stage as Phoenix jams out. They’re enjoying the concert from up close.
Shazam is getting a workout in here. Phoenix is now playing “Tonight” with Ezra Koenig joining on stage. Angele performed a cover of Nightcall from Kavinsky, a classic of the French electro music.
Justice earlier, Kavinsky now. The French touch is on display tonight. Only group missing? Daft Punk! Most of the athletes have cleared the stage as the band rocks on.
The stadium has been transformed into a giant concert, with fog machines, laser beams and all. Security and a crew of volunteers were still trying to clear the stage of athletes as Angele walked towards Phoenix, which is now starting its third song. Security officials are walking up the platform to the stage, trying to usher athletes away.
They’re not much of a match — there are at least a hundred athletes still swarming around the band. First the .