Commonwealth Games opening ceremony: what do we think?

Riverwalk

Jane43

Riverwalk

I would have preferred UB40 to Duran Duran!

Great to see the multi-ethnic teams, especially England.

Which one? There are two different UB40s.

Whichever one has Ali Campbell - I love his voice.

I agree, Ali Campbell was always the voice of UB40 for me. It’s the old story of sibling rivalry, Ali wanted to do some solo work and Robin said he did it behind his back. After some nastiness on both sides Ali, Astro and other band members formed their own band, I think it’s called Ali Campbell’s UB40 and another Campbell brother joined Robin’s band which I think is still called UB40. There was a long legal battle but I don’t remember how it was resolved. Astro died recently and the brother in Robin’s band was recently replaced by a younger man. I believe both bands are still going.

From “Smooth Radio”
There are technically two versions of UB40 now performing.
The original UB40 - with Robin Campbell as lead singer - have the rights to the official UB40 name, and have continued to perform and release music together. Their most recent album was 2019's For the Many
Meanwhile, Ali Campbell has created his own splinter group alongside Mickey Virtue and Astro, called UB40 featuring Ali, Astro and Mickey - and they have since scored hit albums with 2016's Unplugged and 2018's A Real Labour of Love. .

Ah yes, no ‘occasion since the Olympics in 2012’?
Nadine forgetting about Glasgow 2014.

I’m enjoying Jason Mohammed as a commentator/ presenter. He has a lovely voice and seems a genuinely nice man.

I am so very delighted and impressed with BBC. On BBC iplayer they are showing EVERY sport as they happen. So, there I am happily ensconced in my own armchair at home and able to watch ALL the opening rounds of Mens Artistic Gymnastics as they are happening. Never normally able to see these opening rounds which involves all gymnasts and teams.
Thank you so much BBC

RichmondPark1

I don't know Birmingham at all, but this has made me want to visit.
Loved Camilla's outfit. She seems to look more groomed and glamorous at ever event.

I think Camilla has a new stylist. She has looked ‘different’ lately. I have commented before if it’s her hair, losing a bit of weight, change of make up or even a bit of ‘work’.

Whatever it is, she looks good.

She looks good because she's rich.

Plenty of rich people look awful.

I had a look as I did not watch on tv.I’ll,be n trouble I know but I didn’t like Camilla outfit.was it wide legged trousers ? Not a fan .
Having said that it makes a change to see an older royal not in pastel or a fascinator (so sick of them!)

Oh for heavens sake - those who wish to discuss the sartorial good and bad of someone who just appeared in the background for less than three minutes please start their own thread.
Please leave this for the Commonwealth Games.

The thread's about Commonwealth Games opening ceremony Franbern. Camilla was there for the opening ceremony. Is it OK with you if we talk about what a nice place Birmingham is or should we avoid that too?

If you want to talk about the wider topic of the Commonwealth Games maybe we should start a new thread altogether for that.

Any objections to talking about UB40? Who weren't even there? ?

First Gold Medal of the 2022 Birmingham Games goes to England's Alex Yee. Well done.
BBC coverage of these games is amazing. We can watch all sports in real time via (free) BBC iplayer.

BBC coverage of these games is amazing. We can watch all sports in real time via (free) BBC iplayer.

Why don't the beeb do this with all sports, instead of putting stuff on bbc1 and 2 often simultaneously. Then you could indeed please all the people all of the time.

Franbern

Oh for heavens sake - those who wish to discuss the sartorial good and bad of someone who just appeared in the background for less than three minutes please start their own thread.
Please leave this for the Commonwealth Games.

Wow bit rude

I’m a Brummie but haven’t lived there since I was a child, but I still have an affinity with the place.

I used to work in an office overlooking the canals in the 1960s, never did I think they would be so transformed.

Lucca

Franbern

Oh for heavens sake - those who wish to discuss the sartorial good and bad of someone who just appeared in the background for less than three minutes please start their own thread.
Please leave this for the Commonwealth Games.

Wow bit rude

Oh dear @ Franbern the thread WAS started about the ceremony , which includes the people involved eg PoW and DoC, history and things about Birmingham and of course the music!
If you want a thread about the games- feel free to start one - as I believe you have done today at 18.03

Thought it was fabulous and covered all the arts as well as sport, did think Birmingham has been on the map for a very long time though! Those comments are down to Nadine Dorries who used the phrase several times in her radio 4 interview as well as saying amazing multiple times, a woman of limited vocabulary

Hate games and all that circus. When is it finished?

I loved it Learning about the history of Birmingham, the medals all being done in the jewellry quarter, Perry Bull and Max Whitlock's handing over the Queen's baton to Denise Lewis who is a Brummie All in all a great opening ceremony

I enjoyed it. It had a spiritual theme. It should have been closed by the greatest band that ever came out of Birmingham though...THE MOODY BLUES

I have visited Birmingham briefly on two occasions and enjoyed walking round as a tourist. I thought the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games was great and loved to learn a bit more about this city. Highlights for me were the bull (amazing) and the union Jack made of cars. I admit though that I turned off when Duran Duran came on ?

I didn't get to see the ceremony but hope to watch it on catch up. Just popped in to say I think Birmingham is a brilliant city...from another soft southerner!

Another distraction from the things that really matter - poverty and the cost of living, for example.

Yes, bread and circus's come to mind. BUT.....these Games take place every four years, and has been arranged to be in Birmingham for a very long time.
Sometimes, perhaps, we need a little distraction.....I will enjoy these Games, celebrate all the competitors and officials, but still be very much a part of protests against the horrible poverty happening in this country.
Celebrate those wonderful chain workers in Birmingham as shown in that Opening Ceremony.

Grantanow

Another distraction from the things that really matter - poverty and the cost of living, for example.

We can't all walk around in sack cloth and ashes. For some people, their tv and sport is the only entertainment they can afford. Everybody needs distraction from their woes. Also, these events bring in visitors to the areas which in turn gives the city income.