With a 10-metre-tall raging bull, a union jack made from 72 cars, and an appearance by Malala Yousafzai, the Commonwealth Games kicked off on Thursday night with a loud celebration of everything Birmingham.
The two-and-a-half-hour opening ceremony marked the start of Britain’s biggest multi-sport event since the London Olympics; showcased references to the host city’s history and culture.
The Games were officially opened by Prince Charles on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II as many of the 4,000 athletes paraded in front of 30,000 spectators. Prince Charles read a message from Queen Elizabeth II in which she saluted Birmingham as a city "symbolic of the rich diversity and unity of the Commonwealth."
The Games opened with Alexander Stadium playing host to a star-studded, occasionally surreal but clearly heartfelt tribute to Birmingham.
Pride, passion, and fun
Australia was the first team to enter the stadium in the Athletes Assembly,and Diver Tom Daley was the first baton bearer, and he was accompanied by athletes and activists.
Flagbearers Eddie Ockenden and Rachel Grinham looked joyous as they led the team out, with Ockenden turning to his teammates several times to pump them up and encourage them to join him at the front.
Tonga's legendary shirtless flagbearer Pita Taufatofua wasn't there, but a Samoan athlete tried to make up for it, producing his own iconic shirtless moment while dancing and revving up the crowd.
As the parade of athletes concluded, each of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales were warmly received before host nation England arrived in a cloud of confetti to send the volume skyrocketing with a crowd rendition of We Will Rock You.
Brummies Duran Duran closed the show with several songs, bringing the ultimate 80s dance party vibes, finishing on a high with a rendition of Ordinary World amid fireworks.
The most visually impressive element of the show was the raging bull, a giant aluminium and steel puppet constructed around a forklift truck-like machine from materials sourced in local factories. It was dragged into the stadium by 50 women representing chainmakers from the Industrial Revolution.
The Brummie drag queen Ginny Lemon got a starring role in a lemon-shaped hot air balloon, while Duran Duran closed the show with a rendition of their greatest hits, as fireworks flared over the newly refurbished Alexander Stadium.
A call for social change
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai emphasised the importance of education in a surprise appearance. Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai, who moved to Birmingham after being shot in the head by the Taliban, claimed that the athletes competing at the Commonwealth Games here was a reminder that "every child deserves the chance to reach her full potential and pursue her wildest dreams."
There were performances from the Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi and the alto-saxophonist Soweto Kinch, joined by rising Birmingham stars Indigo Marshall and Gambini. They played Hear My Voice, a reimagined version of the title track from the 2020 film The Trial of the Chicago 7.
Fireworks explode over the stadium during the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth.
A number of famous athletes made appearances to carry the Queen’s baton during the ceremony, including the Olympic diver Tom Daley, who ran alongside people from the 35 Commonwealth member states which outlaw homosexuality.
Birmingham stars including Sir Lenny Henry and Joe Lycett also made appearances to introduce the Commonwealth nations.
The Games are officially open, with events beginning on Friday and more than 5,000 athletes representing 72 nations and territories competing in 280 medal events until 8 August.