Yesterday, the performers for this year’s Olympics Opening Ceremony were announced, and one huge surprise was on the bill: Gojira.
Gojira, the French metallers, are officially the first metal band to perform at the Olympics. And boy, did they deliver a breakdown-laden performance for the 300,000 people watching on-site and the millions watching from home.
Delivering an explosive performance from the side of a castle, with fires lit across the riverside, streamers coming down, and opera singer Marina Viotti later appearing on a boat, Gojira were met with cheers from the very first note of their performance.
As to what they performed, the band played Ah, Ça Ira! (which approximately translates to ‘It’ll be fine,’ per NME), a popular song during the French Revolution.
The band’s performance took place during a segment entitled “Liberté”, which references the famous French motto, “Liberté, égalité, fraternité.” The segment emphasised famous events throughout French history, but with a twisted angle: Gojira’s performance was preceded by a beheaded Marie Antoinette, who was singing.
You can watch Gojira’s performance at the Olympics Opening Ceremony – and some reactions to their performance – below.
Gojira weren’t the only ones making waves at the Opening Ceremony; Celine Dion and Lady Gaga also performed at the massive event.
For her appearance, Gaga performed the French cabaret song Mon truc en plumes, while Dion made her mark by closing the ceremony at the Eiffel Tower with her rendition of Edith Piaf’s Hymne de l’Amour (Hymn To Love).
The performance marked Dion’s return to the stage after being diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome and retreating from the public eye in December 2022.
Celine Dion last performed at the Olympic Games in 1996, when they were held in Atlanta, Georgia, United States.
