29th July 2014

FOO FIGHTERS CONFIRMED TO HEADLINE THE JAGUAR LAND ROVER INVICTUS GAMES CLOSING CONCERT

SUNDAY 14 SEPTEMBER

·     KAISER CHIEFS, ELLIE GOULDING, RYAN ADAMS, THE VAMPS, RIZZLE KICKS, JAMES BLUNT, DIVERSITY AND MILITARY WIVES CHOIRS TO PERFORM

·     FIVE HOUR MULTI-ARTIST CONCERT TO INCLUDE INVICTUS GAMES MEDAL PRESENTATIONS

·     BBC IS THE BROADCAST PARTNER

 

The Invictus Games Closing Concert, presented by Jaguar Land Rover, is now sold out. The spectacular line up, featuring Foo Fighters, who will headline the Jaguar Land Rover Invictus Games Closing Concert to take place on Sunday 14 September 2014 at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London.

 

The line-up topped by this special Foo Fighters performance will also feature sets from Kaiser Chiefs, Ellie Goulding, Ryan Adams, The Vamps, Rizzle Kicks, James Blunt, Diversity and Military Wives Choirs. The event will mark the conclusion of the new international sporting event for wounded, injured and sick Servicemen and women.

 

Launched by Prince Harry earlier this year, the event will use the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding and respect of those who serve their country. The Invictus Games are being organised with the support and backing of The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry and the Ministry of Defence.

 

Set on the south lawn of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the 26,000 capacity space will utilise the famous back-drop of the Stadium and The ArcelorMittal Orbit. Featuring some of the world’s greatest acts, the Jaguar Land Rover Invictus Games Closing Concert will also include the medal presentations for the inspirational winning competitors. Starting at 5pm, the five-hour multi-artist event will have highlights broadcast by the BBC.

 

Royal Marine Luke Darlington, who suffered Penetrating Brain Injury with retained shrapnel and is hoping to be selected for the British Armed Forces team explains: “Everyone will have worked really hard to train and compete to represent the British Armed Forces team as best they can during these fantastic Invictus games. The Closing Concert will be a brilliant way of drawing the event to a close. It will allow everybody to look back and reflect on what has been achieved not only in the build-up but during the Games as well”.

 

For Lance Corporal Jonathan Le Galloudec, another contender for the British Armed Forces team, the Closing Concert will have a special meaning. During a rescue attempt on tour of duty in Iraq after he was shot in the back, his friend and fellow comrade who was saving him, was killed. The first year after his injury was really difficult for Jonathan and he suffered with survivor guilt. The defining moment came when he heard the song “My Hero” at a Foo Fighters concert in Wembley.

 

He explains: “When I heard that song, I realised that the best way to honour my friend’s memory was to live the best life he could and never give up. So hearing that the Foo Fighters, my favourite band, are headlining the Invictus Games Closing Concert is amazing. I really hope that they play ‘My Hero’ again so I can honour my friend in that moment. It will be the perfect end to what I know will be an amazing four days.”

 

Prince Harry said: "I am hugely grateful to all the artists and organisers for coming together in September to put on what will be a truly awesome concert. It will be a celebration of everything the competitors will have achieved over the four days of the Invictus Games, not to mention the efforts of the hundreds of other athletes we couldn't fit into the teams this year. And for those who didn't make it back from operations, this is also for you."

 

Foo Fighters said: "Invictus games, look out...THE FOO FIGHTERS ARE COMING. What a perfect way to finally return to the UK for the first time in years...been waaaay too long! Thanks for having us, it is truly an honor to come play for these incredible men and women. Can't wait to do our thing for you..."

 

James Blunt said “The men and women of the service community deserve all of our support. I am so pleased to be a supporter of the Invictus Games and very honoured to be performing at this year's closing concert."

 

Dr Ralf Speth, Chief Executive Officer of Jaguar Land Rover said: "Jaguar Land Rover is immensely proud to be enabling the Invictus Games Closing Concert.  We have been inspired by the passion with which Prince Harry has championed the visionary idea of the Invictus Games, to celebrate the commitment and achievements of wounded, injured and sick Service personnel.  In addition, we’re exploring with the Royal Foundation and the Ministry of Defence innovative ways of enhancing their employment prospects and those of other Service personnel when moving into civilian life, to create a lasting legacy from the Games.”

 

The spectacular must-attend event will bring together some of the world’s best and most diverse performers. The line-up includes America’s multi-Grammy Award winning Foo Fighters, multi-Brit winners Kaiser Chiefs, pop phenomenon Ellie Goulding, acclaimed US singer songwriter Ryan Adams, Britain’s global pop-rock sensations The Vamps, dynamic hip-hop duo Rizzle Kicks, former soldier and multi-million seller James Blunt, 2009 Britain’s Got Talent winners Diversity and the Military Wives Choirs, whose combined efforts have raised over half a million pounds for military charities.

 

Jim King, Director of Events, AEG Live said: “AEG are very proud to play our part in producing the Invictus Games Closing Concert. It’s going to be an uplifting day of music featuring world class talent.  The concert will be a fitting end to an inspirational 4 days of Games.”

The Jaguar Land Rover Invictus Games Closing Concert will be held on Sunday 14 September at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London

The Invictus Games will be hosted at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in the London Aquatics Centre, Copper Box Arena, Lee Valley VeloPark & Here East, with Athletics at Lee Valley Athletics Centre. The sports at the Invictus Games are: Archery, Athletics, Wheelchair Basketball, Road Cycling, Powerlifting, Indoor Rowing, Wheelchair Rugby, Swimming & Sitting Volleyball and a Jaguar Land Rover Driving Challenge. Teams have been invited from Afghanistan, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Georgia, Iraq, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, UK & USA.

 

Tickets for the sporting events at the Invictus games are currently on sale at www.invictusgames.org and cost £12.85 per person.

 

Jaguar Land Rover is the Presenting Partner of the Invictus Games. BT, Fisher House, Ottobock, PwC and YESSS Electrical are Official Supporters. For more information about the Invictus Games, please visit www.invictusgames.org.