Underworld - Behind The Scenes of the London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony 10 Years On

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In early 2011 we had a meeting with Danny Boyle.
Danny presented a huge model of a new London stadium - where the 2012 Olympics were going to be staged.
He had been appointed as the Director of the Opening Ceremony.
He asked-
“Would you like to take responsibility for all aspects of the Music and Sound for the show”.
We said Yes
He said -
“You will of course be pretty much Invisible”.
We said Yes
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Twitter: / underworldlive

[@michaelosmolski]

Without doubt the best Olympics opening ceremony ever!

[@sanjanewmoonlife]

Yeah ,COVID

[@Raquel_Incorporated]

Thanks for sharing this! The Olympics were my first exposure to Underworld (I was only 12!) and ever since I tried hunting down whoever did the song during the pandemonium part of the opening ceremony. A few years back I found out it was you guys that did it and since fell in love with all your music. Got a die hard UW fan here haha. Would love to hear this live next time you play Manchester/Leeds, it's such an emotional, carnal, beautiful piece of music

[@honourthefire9182]

@Raquel_Incorporated may I suggest you check out Underworldfan94 and Jabril4real. These guys have so much in the way of Underworld, the live recordings and rareities they have are immense. Really work checking out.

[@Raquel_Incorporated]

@@honourthefire9182 Hey, oh yeah don't worry been subbed to those guys for a long while now haha. They have some brilliant hidden gems on there

[@JoshWaller]

One of the best composed pieces of Olympic music. Ever.

[@DanLoudShirts]

It's amazing to think I learnt this 10 years ago and now I am teaching others how to play this groove. I can probably teach it as good as it's creator! The Pandemonium Drummers are alive and well and still perform this amazing track. It is an absolute privilege to be able to do so.

[@maryimpey413]

The gift of being part of Pandemonium on that night has never stopped giving. 10 years later, it's still great to play as Dan says.

[@deadnicedave]

Pandemonium and the accompanying music from Underworld was the best 15mins of any Olympic opening ceremony. Absolutely incredible both musically and visually, plus the story it told, just incredible.

[@edsilvester]

I can’t hear the music without getting emotional. It was a fantastic achievement. Such hope. Such promise. Such pride. Now its brexit, shame and humiliation but it was nice while it lasted.

[@M9Diry]

Thanks to Conservatives and particularly David Cameron who started the shit show

[@AdrianRowbotham]

It felt like a symbolic high point didn’t it? Back when we were forward thinking and international. I didn’t know in advance that Underworld were involved but instantly recognised it as them when the melody of this piece came in. I felt so proud to have the creativity of the UK represented in this way.

[@NeonBluePastaChef]

@@AdrianRowbotham that was really special, yes?!

[@m4ckm4n59]

The opening was probably the best thing i've ever seen on telly. Thank you :)

[@RobBlakemore]

Thank you Rick, for your marvelous creation and curation of us Pandemonium Drummers in this work. It was an honour to have been a part of it. 10 years flies by.

[@olivianewtonjones]

From the very first seconds, recognising Surf Solar and thinking 'if they're using F*** Buttons in the intro, this isn't going to be your average Olympics Opening Ceremony', to the absolute pinnacle of "And I Will Kiss", it was just the best demonstration of everything good about the UK through our music and culture. I'm not a nationalist numpty, but it felt as though it was an event that could only ever be British, and looking back it made and makes me immensely proud. To know that one of my favourite bands was responsible was ❤❤❤…

[@namansrivastav2008]

The music was the soul of this olympics and Underworld did phenominal job .

[@M9Diry]

I randomly re watch this opening ceremony quite often. It’s the only time I’ve felt proud to be British. That didn’t last but I still think the ceremony was absolutely mind blowing and Underworlds music just perfect for it

[@jorgealonzo8535]

Love seeing Rick (and Karl) talk about their work. Would LOVE to see them talk about the composition of some of their great tracks.

[@LudlowUkuleleClub]

Hey Rick …about 6 months or maybe a year after the ceremony I received a PRS royalty statement and it included usage of one of my tracks that had be used on the ceremony - I’ve always wondered did you include some of your friends music as a friendly gesture or was it just coincidence - If you did then thank you so much …your old pal P Riordan ….( now Paula )

[@kxmode]

I keep coming back to watch the London Olympics opener and this is my favorite part. Everything about it is perfect. Just the sheer scale of it is amazing.

[@cdave2]

Just loved watching Rick in this clip. “It’s groovin’!” Yes it is. There’s so much joy in Underworld’s work. God love ‘em.

[@incarnateTheGreat]

It's been 10 years and "Pandemonium" is always ALWAYS exciting to watch and listen to. It takes you on a fantastic journey that's never boring.

[@salvador1983]

Amazing song from a great band! Couldn’t think of a better intro ceremony as well! This has become my go-to motivation music when running, training, etc. Puts me in the moment, and helps me focus!

[@flowa666]

That was a thing of joy and beauty!

[@DavidAStyles]

Goosebumps. Every single time.

[@honourthefire9182]

The masters of intelligent beats.

[@DodderingOldMan]

Just watching this got me emotional all over again. That opening ceremony was the greatest aural and visual spectacle I've ever experienced. To be a part of it must have been an incredible privelege.

[@peterfarmer725]

The music was just incredible...congratulations to all involved!

[@jansmith286]

Only time I've ever felt patriotic. You celebrated the struggles of the working classes in the most uplifting way.

[@quicksite]

I want to see those drawings from Danny Boyle, especially those series of crescendos, which he drew as these upward trusts, each topping the prior in volume and intensity. That's what I was hoping to watch and have a peak at how Underworld translated that with their orchestration layering. So phenomenal and never a sense of "oh they're really straining to make this part even more intense". Instead it all flowed so perfectly with each dial-up of the volume and arrangement.

[@glenrichmond6260]

Amazing opening the music was so awesome..

[@shanewatson6763]

So many years of amazing music--Rick Smith you are a constant inspiration. What is that synth sitting behind you between the mixer/controllers? Peak? A Dave Smith thing? I gotta know!! lol.

[@cembasakofficial]

You are pioneers!

[@almirrc2005]

Perfect!!!

[@neanderthalboneflute6519]

❤OUTSTANDING❤

[@golderjames]

Brilliant

[@patrick4625]

I never knew they did this.... 😊

[@GioGraphixNOLA]

THIS is awesome. But also... ... ... DOOT DOOT!

[@ahshatmasell6751]

Rick and Danny Boyle should have got a Knight hood for the opening ceremony

[@MrSleuth89]

Danny Boyle refused it

[@hyy7822]

I am a Chinese fan of Underworld. I noticed that there are two pieces of Chinese calligraphy behind me. I wanna know who sent you these two pieces of Chinese calligraphy?

[@StasKiryanov]

Рик хулиганит немного, ну красавчег, и талантище!

[@martinfitzgerald1605]

Super gents

[@josemanuelrayaseda]

No podía ser menos,.........!!!

[@josemanuelrayaseda]

Maestros

[@skzLeo]

Even now, listening to this reminds me that it is the most epic and hottest scene in my life. I wanted to be here at this moment..

[@jonathanrussell594]

Tidy..!😉

[@JOHNCONNOR19840]

Heroes against the New world order thank you*

[@trevorphilips2266]

ILLUMINATI?