The Paris Olympics Closing Ceremony featured a nostalgic touch with the inclusion of the French indie-pop band, Phoenix. The organizers chose this beloved band to take viewers on a musical journey back to the 2000s.
The ceremony began with a whimsical creation of the Olympic rings, setting the stage for Phoenix’s performance. The band opened with their hit song “Lisztomania,” as athletes joined in, singing along. After a brief duet with Belgian singer Angèle, Phoenix continued with another fan favorite, “If I Ever Feel Better.”
Phoenix had hinted at their Olympic performance on social media, sharing a photo of themselves on a rooftop in Paris. “Bonjour Paris! It’s so special seeing the city host this year’s @Olympics games. There is still so much more to come!” they captioned the post.
Their performance was a fitting conclusion to the Summer Games and a way to build excitement for the next Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028. Although the band is French, they have enjoyed significant success in the U.S., particularly with their songs “Lisztomania” and “1901.”
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Thierry Reboul, the event’s executive director, explained to Variety why Phoenix was chosen. “French music and its artists have had a significant global impact. It was important for us to recognize that.”
A Star-Studded Stage
Phoenix wasn’t alone on stage. They were joined by Angèle, Vampire Weekend’s Ezra Koenig, French band Air, and Cambodian rapper Vannda. Vannda’s presence added a unique touch, as Cambodia was once a French colony. Angèle, a popular artist in France, hails from Belgium, while Koenig’s collaboration with Phoenix on their album “Alpha Zulu” made his appearance a natural fit.
About Phoenix
Phoenix hails from Versailles, a town famous for its royal history. The band consists of singer Thomas Mars, brothers Laurent Brancowitz and Christian Mazzalai on guitars, and Deck D’Arcy on bass and keyboards. They started making music together in 1995, recording demos in Mars’ parents’ garage.
Since then, they’ve released seven albums, including their latest, “Alpha Zulu,” which was recorded at the Louvre Palace during the pandemic. This unique recording environment, surrounded by art and French history, inspired the band in unexpected ways.
Why Phoenix Sings in English
Despite being French, Phoenix primarily sings in English. Thomas Mars explained that it wasn’t a conscious choice; it just happened naturally when he started writing music. The band’s influences, such as Prince and Talking Heads, are largely American and British, which also plays a role. However, Mars noted that while the lyrics are in English, they have a distinctly French perspective.
Mars’ Collaboration with Sofia Coppola
Outside of his music with Phoenix, Thomas Mars often collaborates with his wife, filmmaker Sofia Coppola. They met when Mars worked with the band Air on the soundtrack for Coppola’s film *The Virgin Suicides*. Since then, Phoenix’s music has appeared in several of Coppola’s films, including *Lost in Translation* and *Marie Antoinette*. The couple has two daughters, Romy and Cosima, and they married in Italy in 2011. Their eldest daughter, Romy, has followed in her parents’ artistic footsteps, releasing two singles earlier this year.
Phoenix’s performance at the Paris Olympics was a celebration of both their French roots and their global appeal, making it a memorable highlight of the Closing Ceremony.
