7.16.12 Adam News and Info

The closing ceremony of the London Olympics 2012 will feature a host of live performances by leading international artistes at the event to be held on 12 August at the Olympic Stadium.

The event will witness a line-up of performances by Queen, Take That, Annie Lennox, George Michael, Ray Davies, Russell Brand, Coldstream Guards, The Pet Shop Boys and Madness amongst others. Stated to be a two-hour musical and theatrical extravaganza, the highlights of the ceremony will be Emeli Sande who will open the show with her hit single 'Read All About It' followed by performances of Kaiser Chiefs, One Direction, Elbow, Ed Sheeran, Tinie Tempah and Jessie J.

Ceremony producer Gavin Kent said, "We want to create a fabulous, emotional experience, something people will remember for years to come. It will be an elegant mash-up of British music."

The opening moments of the ceremony will see versions of London landmarks such as Big Ben, St Paul's Cathedral and the London Eye being unwrapped by a cast of hundreds. Organisers have also planned a parade of 10,000 athletes and a victory ceremony during which footage of the highlights of the two weeks Games will be screened.

The ceremony will culminate with 'The Who' while 300 dancers from the Royal Ballet will perform 'The Spirit of The Flame' as the Olympic Flame is put out. The ceremony will also include a tribute to John Lennon with footage of the late Beatle being screened in the stadium.

Other performers lined up to perform are Russell Brand who will render a comic version of the Sex Pistols' song 'Pretty Vacant' with Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders. He will also perform the Beatles song 'I Am the Walrus'. Veteran singer Ray Davies is scheduled to sing his single 'Waterloo Sunset' as the London skyline is transformed into a funfair and 270 children in costume recreate the River Thames.