Brighton Big Screen to show closing ceremony to seafront crowds
The Big Screen on Brighton seafront will show the Olympic closing ceremony this evening (Sunday 12 August).
The organisers said: “If the opening ceremony was anything to go by, the 2012 Games look set to go out on an amazing high.
“Games fans will be able to come together and celebrate the curtains coming down on this historic event.”
Thousands turned out for the opening ceremony just over a fortnight ago (Friday 27 July). But with the seated area in front of the 300 sq ft LED screen holding 2,600 people, latecomers sat on the beach by the West Pier.
The organisers also expect a good turnout this evening. The performance of Britain’s athletes, the good weather, the quality of the opening ceremony and the promise of another good show have all contributed to those expectations.
The closing ceremony is called A Symphony of British Music and has been trailed as a celebration of the past 50 years of British pop music.
Hundreds of Olympic athletes will file into the stadium and fill a mosh pit while 4,000 performers are due to take part. They include 3,500 volunteers and 380 schoolchildren.
Muse, Ed Sheeran, George Michael and One Direction are confirmed as part of the line up. The Spice Girls were seen rehearsing during the week as were Jessie J, Tinie Tempah, Annie Lennox and Queen guitarist Brian May.
Monty Python star Eric Idle was also pictured, suggesting a rendition of Always Look on the Bright Side of Life will be on the track list.
Kate Bush, Madness, Take That, the Who, the Pet Shop Boys and the Kaiser Chiefs have all been rumoured to be on the bill, along with Hove DJ Fatboy Slim.
The visual backdrop is expected to show images of London landmarks including Big Ben, Tower Bridge, St Paul’s Cathedral, the London Eye, Battersea Power Station and the Royal Albert Hall.
Seats in front of the Brighton Big Screen are free on a first come first served basis for the show. Coverage starts at 7.30pm with the show due to run from 9pm to 12.30am.
At the end the Olympic flame will be handed on to the next host city, Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.
The Brighton Big Screen was set up by Hove PR firm Murray Media and Boho Green, the sustainable development consultancy.
Pictures by Stuart Butcher
