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Coldplay medley to close Games

Hundreds of musicians will perform their own renditions of one of Coldplay's biggest hits to mark the end of the Paralympic Games.

The band's anthem Viva La Vida will be played simultaneously at outdoor concerts across the UK in a Bandstand Marathon ahead of the Paralympic closing ceremony.

Performers will be encouraged to play their own unique take on the song on September 9, as part of the finale to the London 2012 festival.

Hundreds of outdoor community concerts will be staged for the event, as the song is performed at 2pm on the final day of the Games.

Organisers said the Bandstand Marathon will present a "unique portrait of the UK's diverse musical tastes and styles in 2012".

Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, who will headline the closing ceremony with his band, said: "It's a great honour for us to be part of the celebrations for the Paralympic Games and it should be a great moment when the bandstands of Great Britain strike up in unison."

Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: "Millions of people across the capital have already enjoyed an astonishing variety of music, drama, and spectacle from around the world. The Bandstand Marathon renditions of Coldplay's instantly-recognisable mega hit Viva la Vida will be fittingly upbeat coda to the London 2012 celebrations.

"We want as many Londoners as possible to take part and after the Games are over I hope many more will be encouraged to bring the sound of beautiful music to their local communities. Long live life indeed!"

The Bandstand Marathon will include a performance from a 91-year-old singer in Bellfield Park, Inverness, while London's Regent's Park will celebrate traditional and contemporary Jewish music.

An Elvis impersonator will perform in Victoria Park, Barry, South Wales, and visitors to Broomfield Park, Palmers Green, north London, can expect the Afro-Caribbean beats of The Harambe Drummers.

Source: music.uk.msn.com
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