Gojira Dubbed ‘Only Good Thing’ in Criticized Olympic Opening Ceremony

Viewers of the 2024 Opening Ceremony of the Summer Olympic Games in Paris, France, heralded the performance by French heavy metal band Gojira as the standout moment in what was otherwise a widely criticized event.

Breaking from tradition, the ceremony was held on the River Seine instead of a stadium. Athletes arrived on boats, enduring persistent rain as they officially entered the games. The unique setting aimed to showcase Paris’s iconic landmarks but faced mixed reviews from the audience.

Performers, including famous names like Lady Gaga and Celine Dion, were spotted across various iconic venues in Paris, such as the Eiffel Tower and The Conciergerie—a former palace and prison now a French national monument and museum. However, it was the latter location where Gojira truly made their mark.

At The Conciergerie, Gojira joined opera singer Marina Viotti, who portrayed a headless vision of Marie Antoinette, France’s former queen. Together, they performed a version of “Ah! Ça Ira,” a song that was popular during the French Revolution. The performance was a spectacular fusion of metal and historical context, leaving fans in awe.

Following their performance, Gojira received overwhelming praise. One viewer remarked it was “the only good part of the whole ceremony.” Metal magazine Revolver enthusiastically declared, “Gojira won gold at the Olympics.” Another thrilled spectator exclaimed, “Sorry but Gojira playing metal in front of windows with beheaded Marie Antoinette in the Olympics opening ceremony completely f**king rules.”

Another fan added, “Gojira playing a metal version of a song popular during the French Revolution during the opening of the Olympics on the side of a castle has to be a top 5 moment in metal history.”

Ahead of the performance, Gojira’s lead singer Joe Duplantier spoke about the significance of a metal band playing a revolutionary anthem. “It was a very bloody era of French history, so it was very metal,” commented the 47-year-old artist.

Overall, Gojira’s performance left a lasting impression, reigniting discussions about the role of unconventional musical genres in grand international events like the Olympics.

Source: Revolver