Olympics Opening Ceremony. The arrival of the industrial revolution.

[@michigantraveler]

Even 11 years later this is the best Opening Ceremony in Olympic history.

[@BlackAcebt2]

Anyone else notice that this takes place at dusk? It's light when they start but it's dark by the time the rings are lit. That was a masterstroke of timing and choreography and really added to the atmosphere.

[@markusx22]

They retimed the start of the ceremony from 8pm to 9pm for this reason.

[@mrfuriouser]

Yeah, it really amplifies the evil, doesn't it?

[@RoachChaddjr]

@@mrfuriouser This section of the ceremony was named Pandemonium, which was essentially the capital of hell. In other words, evil and sinister was definitely the desired look for this play.

[@mrfuriouser]

@@RoachChaddjr Nice info, I appreciate it, thx!

[@raidwipe]

@@RoachChaddjr Less evil, more just the chaos of the industrial revolution and the impact it has had on our world. Unless you're a religious nutjob!

[@kosoves5958]

this is the greatest live performance of 21th century

[@DestinyMichelleMusic]

Thank you, I was one of The Pandemonium Drummers and luckily I had the privilege of performing in all 4 Olympic and Paralympic Opening and Closing Ceremonies. This is the first footage where you can really feel the rumble of the drums. I've literally just cried watching this, It has brought back such fond memories. I had no idea that the audience stood up during the poppy segment at the Tech Run. You'll be pleased to know The PD's are still going strong doing a lot for charity etc :-)

[@Ewan1980]

Thank you so much for your efforts, at the time it was one of the greatest things i'd ever seen. ive not changed my mind

[@davidknight2104]

Just watching this back now it truly is amazing 👏🏻 thankyou 🙂

[@joshrees1985]

One of my favourite opening ceremonies this segment is one of my favourite parts of the entire ceremony it was awesome.My friend worked for the Australian media contingent in London and was there broadcasting on the night. How awesome to be in there wow cheers from Australia

[@sarakeith2246]

You were the part of the drummers on this opening ceremony!? Wow Wee!!!!!!!!!!!

[@SteveB2000atJazzEx]

Pandemonium Drummer no 237 here - thanks for taking the time and trouble, I'm one of 40 who did all 4 ceremony's and this was truly a night to remember -we made friends for life and felt one with the world -at that feeling never die x

[@1101grayzer]

Bravo Steve!

[@princesskyrie]

Since it appears a handful of performers from this segment are in the comments, I want to say thank you for an amazing show. I love going back to relive great Olympic opening ceremonies from time to time, and I honestly believe this is among the best performances the Olympics has ever produced. I still get chills. You should be incredibly proud. Much love from California.

[@unix6256]

Love

[@ragerancher]

Best part of the ceremony IMO and I'm glad we chose this. Too many nations gloss over their history and just present the rainbows and sunshine of their history. I'm glad we presented the grim reality of one of the greatest moments in our history. It makes the final scene of the rings coming together, light and unity out of dark and discourse, much more meaningful.

[@Stu-Vino]

Amazing. The bit when the poppies appear and everyone just stands without being prompted gets me every time. A fantastic memory.

[@bellabriffa5925]

sub333 if you watch one of the other behind the scenes videos there is a lady who (through the ear pieces) says something along the lines of ‘and stop for the poppies’

[@bernardfarquharson3275]

​@bellabriffa5925 Yeah but I think they meant the audience.

[@azzameentv]

"The British nation is unique in this respect. They are the only people who like to be told how bad things are, who like to be told the worst." - Winston Churchill And that's what makes this ceremony so great. The Industrial Revolution was a time where the green countryside was destroyed, children were injured and killed working, miners died trying to keep the coal coming above ground: yet we as British don't shy from that. We showed the world how much they owe Britain.

[@dianarhyne]

Yes, a ceremony that celebrated the long road to New World Order. Here is the Industrial Revolution, when "We" took the people off the land and enslaved them in our factories. Ain't it grand? Yes, applaud for your demise, you fools.

[@RealAmericanPatriotFactChecker]

And we showed britain in 1776 This has been fact checked by real american patriots ✅️

[@anukalgudi6216]

In that case, why aren't they teaching you what you did in India? 100 million dead. Did you know that?

[@kayja42]

Hi Dave, I'm sitting here in tears. I was one of the P Drummers and your video bought it all back. You have capture the true essence of our performance. A thousand thanks for posting this...pure gold. Pandemonium drummer 630

[@76juno]

This was the most entertaining history lesson I have ever seen. It was pure brilliance.

[@morganmcmahon3021]

This was my absolute favorite part of the Opening Ceremony in London! Not only is the Industrial Revolution portrayed historically accurate, but the music, visuals, and choreography are incredible! Way to go Danny Boyle and Evelyn Glennie!!!

[@SecondDegreeMedicine]

This is such a great version of this segment! I found the BBC coverage didn't quite put across how loud it was in there! I was one of the drummers. Such an amazing night. Gives me goose bumps watching it again and re-living the moment.

[@LaKellita]

You all were amazing. This is still my favorite Opening Ceremony to date. And this was one of the reasons.

[@LAGoodz]

Slightly envious, but so well done! 2012 was an amazing year thanks to peeps like you. 👍

[@DarrenJCalvert]

Totally agree the BBC version didn’t do the performance justice just goes to show millions of pounds of equipment but in the end it comes down to the look and sound of it

[@TheZenith12345]

One, if not the best, opening ceremonies ever, and the music was fricking brilliant.

[@mrwhite6717]

I absolutely love this. I cried when I watched it on TV and this perspective adds a really live feel. Can’t believe it’s almost 10 years ago. Thank you for uploading :-)

[@76juno33]

This folks is how you give a history lesson. And the music is just awe inspiring.

[@comradeadmiralkurolpoc8471]

76 juno We actually watched this in a history lesson.

[@Mordecrabs]

Goosebumps every time I watch this

[@deadnicedave]

This makes me cry every time i watch it, an incredible piece of art and no doubt the single greatest moment of any olympic opening ceremony, A Staggering Visual and musical assault on your senses from everyone involved. Thanks for posting.

[@SaintKiddJess]

I didnt realise everyone stood for the poppies section. I was holding back the tears while performing but when i just watched that i cried so hard. thank you for uploading this. i was one of the pandemonium drummers and infact i can see me in this video. i hope you enjoyed watching the rehearsal. thank you for coming xx

[@1101grayzer]

You guys were absolutely phenomenal. Will never forget it and the hairs still rise on the back of my neck every time I watch and hear it again. Thank you all of you.

[@davidevans3227]

brilliant! 🙂 where are you?

[@DimitrisSartzetakis]

Still amazing 8 years later! Also, love that they written "Save the surprise" in the screens to encourage people to not upload the videos anywhere and spoil it

[@Pathfinder3877]

I loved this part of the ceremony from the very first time. I even bought the CDs wird the soundtracks used in the ceremony.

[@JulioGA14]

I also bought the CDs, I'm waiting for Rio's opening ceremony

[@themarcopirroarchive]

Just read that this was a practice run which explains my ring timing question....now im even more amazed....that was a hell of a rehearsal!!

[@Xiscanadal]

I was one of the weavers. It was an incredibly moving experience to take part. Danny Boyle's a genius. I cry spontanteously when I hear the music.

[@DestinyMichelleMusic]

Hi James7300 I was one of the Olympic Pandemonium Drummers and yes this was a special preview Tech Run Performance that we did for family, friends, the military and other volunteers. You are right in that the timing eg. of the rings coming together and alighting is different to what we did on the night as we hadn't even seen that bit till then, but luckily it was dead perfect when it mattered :-)

[@LAGoodz]

It was indeed a masterpiece. Evelyn Glennie - so much respect! Thank you Evelyn and to the volunteers for helping to make 2012 so wonderful and very special 🇬🇧😎👍

[@rachelwilliams3026]

I've been searching for this since the Olympics & I just wanted to thank you for posting this. Even being from America watching this gave me chills and still does. Thank you!

[@hoskas]

I'm slowly working my way through every video of the amazing, moving, utterly compelling Pandemonium segment that I can find and your picture and sound quality is by far the best. Thanks so much for posting and you did a great job!

[@DodderingOldMan]

Still the best thing I've ever seen. The. Best. Thing. If I ever watch this without bursting into tears, just bury me, because I must already be dead.

[@becksyno7]

Still gives me goosebumps, we really pulled it off ❤️

[@2charliep]

This was about the point that I really started sending mental apologies in Danny Boyle's direction. I had been pretty worried about what we were going to get (it was the red double decker in Beijing that did it), should have known better and had more faith. Once again, my apologies Danny for ever doubting you

[@giles247]

We all feared dancing Big Bens... but what we got was the greatest British cultural event of all time.

[@redsquirrel1086]

This was a great Opening Ceremony and the segment depicting the Industrial Revolution was absolutely spellbinding.

[@iris23uk]

hi there is pandemonium drummer no.700 here, thanks ever so much for recording this wonderful moment for us, i have seen your video few times, it gives me goosebumps every time i hear the track "And I Will Kiss", however, to watch us (the industrial revolution drummers, WMWs, Brunels, Suffragettes ... ) in action/pandemonium in the stadium ... its just pure joy, pride & emotional !!! this video appears on the drummers fb group & timelines all the time, thank you once again !!! ; )

[@Evilgidgit4Ever]

I haven't found any opening ceremony footage taken from this angle yet and the view is fantastic.

[@valdezlopez]

Almost lost it when the camera looked away from the forming Olympic Rings... but then it came back just in time. Man... this was amazing!

[@JunglistBaker]

The paying respects part with the whistling has always bought me back to this video, very special moment

[@PhirePhlame]

Whoa, during the closeups you can see the drumbeats vibrating the camera!

[@kissmyarrrtichoke]

Saw some of this - especially the rings fusing - on the night when I managed to get some free time when not working. Wow. Thanks for this, brings back happy-sad memories. So long ago now. Danny Boyle - and London - made us all proud

[@2009teachered]

I remember listening to the drumming while watching the opening and thought WOW, that music is amazing. Listen to it often now. GREAT COMPOSITION

[@neilrodley491]

Oh, those drums, that baseline and the vocals....nevermind the images.

[@jeshkam]

Paris, look at this and cry. This is how you do the greatest opening olympic ceremony in the history.

[@19583728]

All these months later still get goosebumps watching and listening to this piece of music and footage of the opening ceremony, Britain at its very best!

[@DestinyMichelleMusic]

Hi Slannmage The empty seats you are referring to are the press seats and VIP seats who were not allowed into the stadium during the Tech Runs for obvious reasons....hence why the TV screens through out the stadium have SAVE THE SURPRISE on them :-)

[@jansmith286]

Wonderful and stirring ceremony from all the performers, well done. I love the music from Underworld, I love the concept from Danny Boyle and the performances are so outstanding it never fails to bring a lump to my throat. Only time I was ever proud to be British was this celebration of the amazing sacrifices of the working classes. Beat that, France!

[@sushifornico]

This is one of my favorite parts of the opening - I just love the whole music mix with the Underworld trackings to it!

[@genekrupafan]

I was one of the drummers. Hadn't realised that the audience stood up for the 'poppies' section. In tears now.

[@christiansamperio9276]

Este segmento me pone lo pelos de punta, me encanta a más no poder... Ya han pasado años y me sigue gustando como la primera vez

[@davidevans3227]

even the changing of the set becomes part of the show.. such hard work and imagination.. thankyou for sharing this 🙂 x

[@theguildofthetranquilpine5360]

One of my favorite opening Ceremonies

[@incarnateTheGreat]

For the minute of silence part, everyone is incredibly still. Wow.

[@MarcusKDavey]

This is historic and significant. An incredible piece of performing arts. The scale and the majesty of this production is unrivalled.

[@warrenobbed4259]

Great upload. Really puts the viewer in the seat. It was a brilliant opening ceremony.

[@shauncraigparkinson8165]

Best Olympic Ceremony Ive ever seen.

[@didieralab8141]

La France aussi se préparer pour les jeux olympiques d'été Paris 2024 ! J'espère une très belle cérémonie comme Londres 2012!!! I hope !!!!!

[@vicksus4809]

Even if it's already 12 years since this opening, I could say that it still give me goosebumps. 🤯 Way to go, London 2012 Olympics!

[@mjb22]

I hadn't realised until now that by the times the rings 'explode' all of the props (looms, wheels etc) had descended back into the ground.

[@atlantasailor1]

Thanks for posting. Greatest choreography of all time! There are other videos on you tube but sadly one of the best does play all. This video gives a better idea of what it was like as a spectator. Thanks much!

[@Nathanrmedia]

Thanks for posting this, I was in the stadium to watch it and this brought back so many memories, thanks! :)

[@williswild4586]

This is my favorite preformance no cap

[@Bradstockboy]

Being part of this was the most awesome time of my life...thanks for sharing the video!

[@PandemoniumDrummers]

Hi GillFan26 - our auditions for the Olympics started in Nov 2011 and we haven't stopped drumming since. In fact, there are plans to welcome new members, as we have a few exciting gigs lined up for 2013! More news in a few weeks on our website.

[@Matty6968]

This whole video was "And I will kiss" by Underworld

[@The_Razors_Edge]

Absolutely awesome! Gutted doesn't describe how I feel about not having been there in person.

[@kerryb222]

AMAZING, how very very lucky you have been to feel and see this with your own eyes! Thank you for sharing my favourite part of the ceremony!

[@Stormyweld05]

Great sound, not many videos I've seen come without any 'muffling'. Great video! First-hand footage for you to cherish. :)

[@hanimohamd1450]

I love you London ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@themarcopirroarchive]

Great sequence...really good to see it from an audience perspective...But I have noticed something strange on this clip!....in the BBC broadcast the five suspended rings all ignite mid-air in sync to a specific punctuation point in the music but on this video that doesnt seem to happen....did the BBC use some timing trickery to increase dramatic effect?....great post...many thanks...

[@VinDaLegend]

themarcopirroarchive This is the dress rehearsal the day beforehand not the actually opening ceremony. That’s why the timing is different. They slowed down the movement of the rings for the opening ceremony.

[@lilicorrea8515]

Choosing Evelyn glennie to lead the drumming was brilliant. SHE'S brilliant :)

[@elvisantero]

GOOSEBUMPS!!!!!

[@obiwanobiwan13]

From Shakespeare's green hills to the workhouses of Dickens and coalmines of D.H. Lawrence... Powerful, shows how far the UK (and the world, for that matter) has come--and the cost it took to get us here.

[@maverick4220]

One of my favourite segments of the London 2012 Opening ceremony.

[@xsingje1906]

Omg imagine if you were at the stadium, the chills ma friend rhe chills 😢

[@razorren]

The Industrial Revolution bit was my fave part of the opening ceremony of London 2012. Pretty unique and good choice of music.

[@PhirePhlame]

-14:00-- wait, so the official OBS footage was edited!? (Tbh I really do prefer it the way it was evidently actually done)- Just found out that it was a practice run. Still prefer this timing though

[@Marcustzb]

I remembered Waking up at 3am just to watch this live. Totally motivates me into history buffs

[@agus_rmz]

Magnífico. And I Will kiss es una de las piezas más geniales de los Juegos Olímpicos, en lo que a inauguraciones se refiere

[@Dajman1594]

Chills. Every time. Music is incredible.

[@thebrasenose]

Thanks for uploading this and for good video work - the Industrial Revolution segment was stunning and made me so proud. OK, so the rest was pants (other than the Queen/Bond sgement and the cauldron) but this was magnificent, and moving - and it's great to see here on your video how it viewed to people in the stadium.....

[@greenhornet8262]

Thank you for this view you can see everything

[@griffin9ify]

Aw, I missed the London 2012. When I watch this video and listened to the song... cant believe i cried.... so, powerful. :' )

[@kozmik1]

Thank you for a great show!

[@SmartStephanieTV]

My amazing boyfriend is drumming in this ceremony! So proud!!!!xxxxx

[@LAGoodz]

Amazing! Such a shame the official broadcasters failed to convey the sound. It was down to individuals like yourself, on mobile phones.

[@shelleyyeoman232]

I watched this in school and some how enjoyed it 😅

[@the_judge_8262]

Thanks for this Dave 🙏

[@elilass8410]

This wasn't the actual show, it was the final dress rehearsal, hence some things weren't perfect yet ;)

[@honggao7992]

so many interesting details!! also the music is just epic!!!

[@lizzieloubee]

Wow, people really did stand for the Poppy Moment. I was in this, but couldn't see/wasn't looking at the audience! Yay County J!

[@stevieraveon7006]

Foreshadow of 2020

[@pelonegro186]

Loved how dark this section was..it tapped into something very profound for us as a nation. It's brutal and honest. It all went downhill for me at James Bond.

[@greenhornet8262]

Ok from this view, this makes it a whole lot more emotional for me because I can see the whole thing and what everyone is doing. I change my mind I thought this was just ok but this really is one of the best opening ceremonies to date. I’m American by the way, so don’t hate me too much

[@LiVexReFlex]

my favorite segment of the ceremony

[@paulbrown8467]

Thanks for sharing this!

[@kozmik1]

Thank you for that!

[@EuroGhgkj]

The greatest live performance ever

[@elvisantero]

you uploaded a good one....thanks mister!!!!

[@mjb22]

Excellent video. Thanks for uploading.

[@ironmonger27]

A 1 million watt sound system and Underworld. Nothing could go wrong.

[@Coachd1g]

I use part of this song in my Zumba class! They love it!

[@JimGall]

Is this a rehearsal. The timing seems different.

[@stache1625]

it is. the big screens say #savethesurprise which indicates that this is a dress rehearsal

[@JimGall]

​@@stache1625Thanks

[@stache1625]

no problem jim

[@corneliamuller3429]

The best Song for the Opening......Kann es nicht besser schreiben, bin dem Englisch nicht so mächtig...... der coolste Titel von der Eröffnungsfeier