· An image of Coldplay can be downloaded here
Coldplay, one of the world’s best-selling music acts and stars of the London 2012 Paralympic Games Closing Ceremony, have endorsed bands and musicians across the UK to play the anthemic hit Viva La Vida at 2pm, Sunday 9th September, the final day of the Paralympic Games, as part of the official finale event to the London 2012 Festival – Bandstand Marathon.
Bandstands nationwide, including the Olympic Park Bandstand, will see musicians of all kinds perform their own unique renditions of this epic song at the same time - a collective moment to mark the end of the London 2012 Games and a fantastic summer of sport and culture.
Coldplay’s Chris Martin said: ‘It’s a great honour for us to be part of the celebrations for the Paralympic Games and it should be a great moment when the bandstands of Great Britain strike up in unison.’
This exciting preview to the Paralympic Games Closing Ceremony later in the evening is part of the nationwide Bandstand Marathon, an event that will see hundreds of outdoor community concerts taking place simultaneously throughout the UK from 1pm – 5pm.
From Inverness in the Scottish Highlands to Penzance on the tip of Cornwall, and from the historic town of Armagh, Northern Ireland to Llandudno on the Welsh coast, Bandstand Marathon will present a unique portrait of the UK’s diverse musical tastes and styles in 2012.
Bandstand Marathon’s oldest singer, at 91, will take to the stage in Bellfield Park, Inverness, whilst Regent’s Park, London will celebrate traditional and contemporary Jewish music. Stourbridge will play host to a near 100-piece Ukulele band, whilst in Chester a sign-language choir will entertain the crowds. An Elvis impersonator will bring rock n’ roll to Victoria Park, Barry, South Wales and visitors to Broomfield Park, Palmer’s Green, London can expect the Afro-Caribbean beats of The Harambe Drummers.
Three acts have won the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to perform at the Olympic Park Bandstand: the 130 year old Abergavenny Borough Band, London’s Dhol2Dhol traditional Indian drum troupe and female Barbershop chorus The Belles of Three Spires. The Last Bandstanding competition was judged by award-winning conductor Charles Hazlewood, who will also be participating in the Paralympic Games Closing Ceremony, together with Bellowhead member, Paul Sartin.
To find out where your local participating bandstand is, and for information on other London 2012 Festival events in your region, visit www.london2012.com/festival
Ruth Mackenzie, Director, London 2012 Festival said: ‘The Bandstand Marathon is encouraging local music groups to showcase their talents and be part of the London 2012 Festival. We hope everyone will join in to end the London 2012 Festival and Games with a UK-wide celebration of musical and sporting talent.’
Communities Secretary, Eric Pickles said: ‘The spectacular summer has shown off the strengths of our country in style and it hasn’t ended yet. It continues with the Bandstand Marathon and everyone should come out to enjoy the musical events at their local bandstand.’
He continued: “2012 has been the year for all our communities to come together, from the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, the Olympic Torch Relay and of course the Games themselves, reinforcing our shared identity and celebrating our great country. We have seen how these big national events can have a positive impact on local communities, bringing people out into our parks and onto the streets in their thousands, bringing a sense of joy and championing all those things we share together rather than keep us apart.”
The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: ‘Millions of people across the capital have already enjoyed an astonishing variety of music, drama, and spectacle from around the world and the Bandstand Marathon renditions of Coldplay’s instantly-recognisable megahit Viva la Vida will be fittingly upbeat coda to the London 2012 celebrations. We want as many Londoners as possible to take part and after the Games are over I hope many more will be encouraged to bring the sound of beautiful music to their local communities. Long live life indeed!’
Katharine Lane, Associate Director, Superact said: ‘London 2012 has been an incredible success and the UK public has played a huge part in this, embracing London 2012 and taking part in the wealth of fantastic events across the country in the run up to and throughout the Games. We’re delighted to present Bandstand Marathon, the official finale event to the London 2012 Festival – bringing families, friends and communities together in a nationwide musical celebration of what has been an unforgettable summer.’
Bandstand Marathon is produced by not-for-profit arts organisation Superact and Making Music, the UK’s number one organisation for voluntary music. Support from The Department for Communities and Local Government is enabling Bandstand Marathon to expand and enhance its existing annual programme, doubling the length of the local events to four hours this year, and providing opportunities for training, community networking and audience participation, and linking musicians together across the country.
For more details about Bandstand Marathon 2012, including the full list of participating locations, visit www.bandstandmarathon.org.uk
For more information on the London 2012 Festival, and to find out what’s going on near you, visit www.london2012.com/festival
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