Gojira delivered a heavy, breakdown-laden performance, making history as the first metal band to perform at the Olympics.
Gojira performing at the Olympics Opening Ceremony (Source: Twitter @Theslayer360)
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.
Don't miss a beat with our FREE daily newsletter
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.
My heavy metal heart is so happy right now. 🤘🥹🤘#Gojira didn’t dial it down at all — they just unleashed fury and *crushed it* with the eyes and ears of the world upon them. https://t.co/rkTtOVyoul
— Sen. Danica Roem (@pwcdanica) July 26, 2024
they played a breakdown on fucking tv https://t.co/7Zk7MhKSPt
— errick x (@easterxdaily) July 26, 2024
Gojira wins the Olympics. Give them all the medals.
— August Burns Red (@augustburnsred) July 26, 2024
Gojira #paris2024 #ceremoniedouverture #OpeningCeremony pic.twitter.com/9TYBMMjiCE
— joh (@johjohbat) July 26, 2024
Gojira playing a metal version of a song popular during the French Revolution during the opening of the olympics on the side of a castle has to be a top 5 moment in metal history
— self-identified emo artist (@ThyArtIsMemes2) July 26, 2024
gojira telling the story of marie antoinette while bringing the riff back but slower on mainstream tv is insane https://t.co/lalHEB2cCw
— greghall. (@tofeelhealed) July 26, 2024
Are you fucking kidding me this is the best thing I’ve ever seen pic.twitter.com/46UZVMqViO
— Melissa Stetten (@MelissaStetten) July 26, 2024
Gojira doing French Revolution metal? Our first Olympics Gold Medal performance https://t.co/JKv6ab05e5
— Alister Newstead (@AlNewstead) July 26, 2024