Almost all the artists who performed used the event to sell records, tour tickets, TV shows – and, for Victoria Beckham, designer clothes.
British pop stars were not only lured by performing in Olympic closing ceremony but also had other incentives in their mind — ranging from records, tours and fashion.
Almost all the artists who performed used the event to sell records, tour tickets, TV shows – and, for Victoria Beckham, designer clothes, the Daily Mail reported.
When George Michael strutted on stage, the crowd erupted as he performed one of his greatest hits, ‘Freedom’ – only to follow it up with an unknown new single of his ‘White Light,’ much to the chagrin of his fans.
During his performance, TV and radio presenter Richard Bacon posted on Twitter: “I’m calling for a judge led, full public inquiry into George Michael’s second song-gate.
And singer KT Tunstall wrote: “I’m still thinking about George Michael with no set or props, dancing alone in a stadium whilst plugging his new single. #didthathappen?’
But for George, the performance proved bountiful as he tweeted later: “White Light EP debuts at NO.2 on itunes album chart !! THANK YOU ALL :))
A spokesperson denied that the 49-year-old singer had made it a proviso that he had to sing ‘White Light,’ written following his battle with pneumonia last year.
“George wanted to perform his new single because it reflected everything he has been through in the last year.
“The song is a celebration of being alive because he was close to death last year. It was his decision to perform a song from the past and song for the present,” the spokesman said.
For the Spice Girls, their long-awaited reunion on Sunday night came only months before their West End musical, Viva Forever, premieres.
Kate Bush’s hit song ‘Running Up That Hill’ was played, and even though the famously private singer was not in the Olympic stadium, her Twitter account quickly announced that the song – now called ‘Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God) (2012 remix)’ – was to be re-released. It immediately shot to number 7 in the iTunes chart.
Pop heartthrobs One Direction belted out their global hit, ‘What Makes You Beautiful,’ an appearance that is bound to help sales of their world tour next year.
Beckham’s fashion range was also given a boost as it was included in the fashion hall of fame element of the closing ceremony, with Georgia May Jagger modelling one of her dresses.
Jessie J performed twice – once alongside Tinie Tempah and Taio Cruz, and then with the rock band Queen – a great advertisement for her tour, which starts on Saturday and carries on to next March.
The Pet Shops Boys proved a big draw, which no doubt will be aiding the sale of their latest album, ‘Elysium,’ out on September 10.
The Who brought the concert to a close, a great plug for their tour of North America which will begin in November.
“With British music at the heart of the closing ceremony it’s likely we’ll see another surge in album sales of many of the featured artists,’” Gennaro Castaldo of HMV said.
“It would not be unusual for working artists and performers to be releasing records or going on tours. We chose the best artists and performers in the UK,” a spokesperson for Games organisers Locog said.
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