Inside the Olympics Closing Ceremony: Performances by Phoenix and Air, a ‘Science-Fiction’ Theme and More (EXCLUSIVE)

variety.com:

Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent While the Olympics‘ opening ceremony showcased two North American superstars, Lady Gaga and Celine Dion, the closing bash will highlight two iconic French bands, Phoenix and Air, the event’s executive director Thierry Reboul confirmed to Variety in an interview.

Reboul, who produced the blockbuster, controversial opening ceremony show along the Seine and recently filed a police complaint after receiving death threats for it, is now in the final stretch of preparing the closing event alongside artistic director Thomas Jolly. “We’ve tried to champion French talents from the start even if we had international stars (Celine Dion and Lady Gaga); each time it was promoting a French artist nevertheless,” said Reboul. “We always have in mind to turn the spotlight on our country, of course.” Gaga, who had to pre-tape her performance in anticipation of pouring rain, indeed sang in French and paid tribute to Zizi Jeanmaire’s cabaret-inspired “Mon Truc en Plumes,” while Dion made an emotional comeback on stage with Edith Piaf’s “L’Hymne à l’amour.” Air and Phoenix both came about during the so-called French Touch music wave that kicked off in the mid-1990s and took the world’s pop culture by storm with its original blend of electro, dance, jazz and rock beats.

While the French Touch movement winded down in the late 2000’s, Air and Phoenix have continued to be celebrated around the world, alongside one of their most famous contemporaries, Daft Punk. “Today, where we look at the history of music, it’s certainly the French music style and the artists behind it, who have had the biggest resonance in the world.