Phoenix, Billie Eilish, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and More Shine at Paris 2024 Olympics Closing Ceremony

Paris 2024 Olympics Closing Ceremony Highlights: The Paris 2024 Olympics concluded on Sunday, August 11, with a spectacular closing ceremony that showcased an array of high-profile performances. France’s own Phoenix, Air, and Kavinsky kicked off the event at Stade de France, delivering electrifying renditions of their hits, including “Lisztomania” and “1901.” Phoenix also brought on stage special guests, such as Air for "Playground Love," Kavinsky for "Nightcall," and French pop sensation Angèle, making it a memorable night for the audience. VannDa joined Phoenix for "Funky Squaredance," while Vampire Weekend’s Ezra Koenig collaborated with the band for their latest single “Tonight.” The performance was further enlivened as Olympians took to the stage to dance along, adding to the celebratory atmosphere.

Handover to Los Angeles 2028: The ceremony marked the official handover from Paris to Los Angeles, the host city for the 2028 Olympics. H.E.R. performed the American national anthem while playing guitar, setting the tone for the transition. The ceremony also featured a unique appearance by Tom Cruise, who performed stunts inside the stadium and in pre-recorded segments, symbolizing the journey of the Olympic spirit to Los Angeles.

Iconic Performances: Red Hot Chili Peppers took the stage on a Los Angeles beach, delivering an energetic performance of “Can’t Stop,” with Anthony Kiedis leading the charge in his signature style. Billie Eilish followed with a haunting rendition of “Birds of a Feather,” joined by her brother Finneas atop a lifeguard box. The set continued with a surprise appearance by Snoop Dogg, who rapped “Drop It Like It’s Hot” and “The Next Episode,” the latter featuring Dr. Dre. Snoop Dogg's involvement in the Olympics was a consistent highlight, from participating in the Paris 2024 opening ceremony to providing commentary at the Equestrian events.

Closing Acts: The ceremony also featured a remarkable performance by pianist Alain Roche, who played while suspended mid-air, and a moving rendition of “Comme d’habitude” by Yseult, a song famously adapted by Frank Sinatra into “My Way.”

Phoenix's Statement: Reflecting on their experience, Phoenix shared, “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 have been invited to take the stage with our friends from France and around the world, honoring the French spirit and remaining true to our motto: Liberté, Égalité, Phoenix! We are thrilled to both pass the baton to the Paralympics athletes and to Los Angeles for the forthcoming 2028 games.”