Invictus Games Reveals Closing Concert Lineup

The Invictus Games, presented by Jaguar Land Rover, has announced details of its Closing Concert with the likes of Foo Fighters, Kaiser Chiefs and Ellie Goulding taking to the stage at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on 14th September.

Tickets for the event, which will mark the conclusion of the new international sporting event for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women, go on sale from 9am on Friday, priced at £49, and are available at axs.com/stubhub.co.uk.

The line-up will also feature sets from Ryan Adams, The Vamps, Rizzle Kicks, James Blunt, Diversity and Military Wives Choirs.

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 also include the medal presentations for the 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 explained: ‘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.’

Dr Ralf Speth, chief executive officer of Jaguar Land Rover added: ‘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.’