Watch Phoenix play the Paris Olympics closing ceremony w/ Air, Ezra Koenig, Kavinsky, more

The Paris Olympics are a wrap, and had their closing ceremony on Sunday night. Like the opening ceremony, which included metal band Gojira and oddball singer Philippe Katerine (painted blue as Dionysus, controversially), the closing ceremonies were decidedly French. Phoenix were one of the featured performers, playing a six-song set — frontman Thomas Mars called it a “mixtape” — that included lots of guests.

Phoenix opened with “Listomania” before bringing out Angèle and Kavinsky for their song “Nightcall.” Then they did a two-song medley of “If I Ever Feel Better” and “Funky Squaredance” featuring VannDa, and then brought out Air for “Playground Love” from The Virgin Suicides soundtrack.  (Air and Phoenix performed together atop Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport in July.) They concluded their Olympics performance with “Tonight” featuring Vampire Weekend’s Ezra Koenig, and then closed with a stage full of people for “1901.”

“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,” Phoenix said in a statement. “It was a wonderful moment to have been invited to take the stage with our friends from France and around the world, honouring 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.”

Air added, “It is such a thrill to share the stage with our friends Phoenix and perform ‘Playground Love’ together in front of the eyes of the world. Thank you, Phoenix!” Air will bring their Moon Safari tour to North America this fall.

The closing ceremony also featured H.E.R. (performing the US National Anthem), Tom Cruise rappelling down from the roof of Stade de France, where the ceremony was held, and then riding a motorcycle. They also threw it to Los Angeles, where the 2028 Summer Olympics will be held, for a pre-taped beachside performance featuring Snoop Dogg and Dr Dre, Billie Eilish, and Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Watch video from the closing ceremony below, and you can stream the whole thing via Peacock.

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