Pioneering French synthesist and composer Jean-Michel Jarre will headline the Closing Ceremony of the 2024 Paralympics, on Sunday, Sept. 8.
The event will celebrate 4,400 athletes from 168 Paralympic delegations.
The closing ceremony will bring together a cast of 24 artists representing all styles and generations of the French electronic scene. Other artists to be featured include: Agoria, Alan Braxe, Anetha, Boston Bun, Breakbot & Irfane, Busy P, Cassis, Chloe, Chloé Caillet, DJ Falcon, Étienne de Crecy, Irène Drésel, Kavinsky, Kiddy Smile, Kittin Kungs, Martin Solveig, Nathalie Duchene, Ofenbach, Polo & Pan, Tatyana Jane and The Avener.
Jarre will open and close the event.
Jean-Michel Jarre, 76, has created some of the most successful electronic music albums of all time, sold over 80 million albums and performed to audiences of a million+ people.
Organizers say that “the concert promises to be a visually and musically festive spectacle, closing the Paris 2024 Games in style.”
Details on the event are available at the Olympics site.
Will it actually be live or prerecorded playback?
French contemporary electronic music scene in France has an enormous quantity of vast talents to share with the world. JMJ in my opinion was one of the very first pioneers, but again(in my opinion) he doesn’t fit with the contemporary scene. He should retire long…long ago with integrity and dignity. It will be sad to either play something from more than 40 years ago…just for the nostalgia of it…or trying to emulate something that he is not. As the previous comment we’ll see if he plays ‘live’ hopping to talk us for ‘memory lane’ or if he doesn’t…we will know that he is no longer more than a ‘prop’ for France to show ‘off’ to the world.
Again this is my personal opinion for those with ‘passive aggressive’ replies to my comment.
Right….and somehow because you feel that his dignity is at stake based on your criteria, he should retire immediately to preserve his legacy? I think JMJ has displayed remarkable longevity because he has adapted. Is his “sound” current enough? That is subjective however his recent collaborations with other notable electronic artists, from the brilliant pop-electronica sound of PSB to EDM artists like Van Buuren was a tour de force. Now what portion of those compositions were JMJ and the final piece complemented by his collaborators is worthy of some discussion, however what is important to me is how translatable his sound is regardless of era.
Where can we hear your latest tunes, Sid?
Do you record music? Make music? Repair music equipment?
Partake in any way in the music industry?
It’s surprising to see a comment without a solid understanding of Jean-Michel Jarre, one of the greatest pioneers of electronic music, and suggest that he doesn’t fit into the contemporary scene. Jarre has always been a groundbreaking artist, far from conventional pop, and has consistently been a major innovator. While his recent work might differ from his classics, that doesn’t make him outdated—especially for those who truly follow his career. Jarre has always been at the forefront of innovation, whether through his exploration of 3D sound, his use of polyrhythms, arpeggios, or the memorable melodies that resonate with his audience.
His participation in such a ceremony isn’t about staying relevant; it’s about honoring the legacy of France’s most influential musical artist, whose impact reaches far beyond electronic music into movements like progressive electronic, electro, French touch, and trance. Jarre is second only to Mireille Mathieu in album sales among Francophone artists, and his influence spans across many countries, more so than some might realize. Jarre’s legacy deserves respect and recognition for his contributions to music on a global scale.
I’m going throw out a different opinion. I’d rather JMJ play his music (live, of course) more in line with the original versions, rather than trying to update the sounds & drums (especially the drums) to a contemporary sound. Those updated sounds are incongruous with the music. I don’t think it’s nostalgia, they are great tracks, and the original sounds a great, too.
Jarre did that on tour about a decade ago – and captured it in the live concert film, “Oxygene Live In Your Living Room”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9UzNh_2TXk
Yeah, that was great. I don’t think he’s got to use the original analogs every time, but maybe not go fully modern with the sounds as he did for that last event with Brian May. Anyway, it’s great he’s doing this, and other big events.
I find it incredibly ignorant for someone to post here without any understanding of Jean-Michel Jarre, the greatest pioneer of electronic music, and claim that he doesn’t fit into the contemporary scene. To begin with, Jarre has always been a disruptive artist, completely outside the realm of pop, and has always been a major innovator. His current production is rich; it may not be as close to his classics, but that doesn’t make him outdated—especially for those who truly follow his career. Jarre has always been synonymous with innovation, whether in his current musical research with 3D sound, his use of polyrhythms, arpeggios, or, most importantly, the melodies that captivate his audience.
Jarre’s participation in such a ceremony isn’t about being current or not. It’s about respecting the legacy of France’s greatest musical artist, whose influence extends beyond electronic music to various movements that followed, such as progressive electronic, electro, French touch, trance, and more. Jarre is second only to Mireille Mathieu in album sales among Francophone artists. His relevance is far greater in numerous countries than some so-called music experts might think. Jarre has reached a much larger audience across five continents than the vast majority of French artists. So, respect his legacy.
„… especially for those who truly follow his career“
That‘s the point! And their are also other and younger people, who truly follow Martin Garrix or Taylor Swift! And that‘s ok!
Andreas, you are a fan of JMJ like me! He is one of my biggest heroes and will ever be! A true friend is someone, who will also tell you, if you are wrong. And as a true fan of JMJ for over 45 years I can also say, there was much light, but also shadow! It doesn‘t matter, if I publish records or not! A listener is like someone who buys a bread! If today‘s bread was burned, it was burned. I am 51 and I would be happy to see JMJ live at Paralympics! But it‘s not like Versailles a concert and I can decide, if I buy a ticket or not. We had EM in Germany and Lenny Kravitz was the opening act. If Adele or Pink or Taylor Swift instead, the people would have preferred it even more! Paralympics is like EM. If a Jarre concert fits the taste of a happening like this, is another question. I don‘t want to see David Guetta at a Berlin School concert and if mostly young people want to see Taylor Swift or David Guetta, I can respect that! My taste is not better than theirs! It is not about ignoring JMJs legacy! It‘s about the question, if it‘s the right music for the context! IMO as a Jarre fan: NO! Every generation has it‘s own music and heroes!
@ Judge Edward: It is Sid‘s opinion. At least he has one! Obviously many people think, they need to defend stars or to praise them like people in a monarchy and obviously you define, what’s right or wrong? So only actors and movie producers and directors got the right to criticize a movie? I am in music business. The fact is, you would not get a record deal, if you would want to bring out the last Jarre or Vangelis album. So? Where to buy your music?
This page is rubbish! Edward attacks Sid! You publish it! If people criticize those personal attacks, it will be deleted!
Great!!!!
Admin: “This page is rubbish! Edward attacks Sid! You publish it! If people criticize those personal attacks, it will be deleted! ”
As everyone can see, no one has deleted your comment. All perspectives are welcome about the THINGS covered by this site.
“Where can we hear your latest tunes, Sid?” may be a pointed question, but does not cross the line to being a personal attack.
We will delete personal attacks if we see them or readers bring them to our attention via the Feedback link, located at the top of every page of Synthtopia.
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I also removed a couple of off-topic comments from Bert and Sarah which crossed the line into being personal attacks.
Keep comments on-topic and constructive.
No freedom of speech here, maybe site server is located in north korea now.
There is no “freedom of speech” right for private web platforms.
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The only readers that seem to think this is complicated are the ones that want to make personal attacks.
Alright king synthhead
I know I have not always adhered to your wishes and desire for civil discourse (I have negative tolerance for racism and misogyny, and more recently discovered my intolerance for ageism, yet thank you for doing the thankless job of being the gatekeeper to civility and a modicum of decency.
So here it is, thank you.