A statement for the Games today revealed that Duran Duran and Black Sabbath guitar player Tony Iommi will perform at Alexander Stadium for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony on Thursday 28th July 2022. The Ceremony will bring rising stars and celebrated artists together, concluding with New Wave icons Duran Duran taking the stage in the city where their four-decade career began.
“We are so proud to be returning to our home town to close the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony.” – Roger Taylor
Duran Duran join @birminghamcg22 for unforgettable Opening Ceremony – tickets avail but selling fast- visit https://t.co/dNyWW8V8xc for details! pic.twitter.com/jnqA5Syppn
— Duran Duran (@duranduran) July 20, 2022
Duran Duran’s Simon Le Bon said in a statement, “The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games is a momentous event for the great city of Birmingham. And we in Duran Duran are honoured to be a part of it in our hometown.” Roger Taylor continued, “We are so proud to be returning to our hometown to close the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony. It is a true honour to be part of a global event that will bring sports people of all cultural backgrounds around the world together as one. Another milestone in a most incredible year for us.”
John Taylor added, “It is so good to be participating in the Opening Ceremony of the Commonwealth Games this year, performing for the first time with the CBSO.” In a tweet, legendary Sabbath guitar player Iommi confirmed that he will be there too.
It’s true, that I will be performing at the opening of the Commonwealth Games. I’m very honoured to have been asked to do it and I’m really looking forward to the day! It’s such a great boost for Birmingham to have the games held here.
Photo (c) Ross Halfin. pic.twitter.com/9ojjqM2HGa
— Tony Iommi (@tonyiommi) July 20, 2022
The statement for the Opening Ceremony reveals that Iommi will play with acclaimed saxophonist Soweto Kinch. The two musicians will lead a dream sequence called “Hear my Voice”, based on the title track from the 2020 film Trial of the Chicago Seven, reimagined here by Birmingham-born RnB vocalists Indigo Marshall and Gambimi.
Mezzo-soprano Samantha Oxborough, a graduate of Birmingham Conservatoire, will perform the National Anthem for the United Kingdom with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) under acclaimed conductor Alpesh Chauhan as part of the formal opening of the Games.
Acclaimed theatre producer and Artistic Director of the ceremony, Iqbal Khan, said, “It’s been an unbelievable honour to guide the artistic direction for the Opening Ceremony. Since setting out on this journey, I wanted to tell Birmingham’s story and I wanted to tell it right – to show that there is a vivid and vibrant confidence about this place, in this moment.”
The event is set to be helmed by executive producer Steven Knight, known for his work within the popular TV show Peaky Blinders. For those unable to attend in person, the Opening Ceremony will be broadcasted live via BBC. Tickets for the opening ceremony can be purchased here.