Duran Duran Kick Off Olympic Gigs In Hyde Park

Duran Duran, the Stereophonics, Paolo Nutini and Snow Patrol represented every British nation as they kicked off a series of Olympic gigs with a concert in Hyde Park yesterday.

A huge crowd turned out for the Opening Ceremony Celebration Concert, and were treated first to a set by Scot Paolo Nutini, who started the party atmosphere with the likes of Pencil Full of Lead.

Then came Duran Duran, who brought the house down with a set that included 80s hits A View To a Kill, The Reflex - with added Red Arrows flypast bonus - and Rio.

The 1980s pop legends got the crowd singing along, and dedicated their rendition of Ordinary World to "the whole world", with frontman Simon LeBon adding: "May we have a peaceful games."

Welshmen the Stereophonics faced the tough task of following the live screening of Danny Boyle's spectacular opening ceremony but still got the crowds rocking.

And the concert organisers were lucky enough to have been given a special extension to the usual 10.30pm curfew, in order to allow Snow Patrol, flying the flag for Northern Ireland, to end the evening with hits such as Run.

Speaking to the BBC, singer Gary Lightbody quipped: "It's the only thing I'll ever represent Northern Ireland at. My 100 metre sprinting days are long past me."

Last night's gig was the first of BT London Live Concert series, which will run throughout the 2012 Olympic Games - with Blur set to perform as the event comes to a close on August 12.