The UK have set the bar pretty high for flagship ceremonies in recent years, with the Danny Boyle's London Olympics curtain-raiser setting the benchmark for decades to come. But what we have tonight is a very different games, with a very different kind of show.
Organised by Prince Harry, the Invictus Games saw a week of events for injured servicemen and wounded warriors from around the world to compete - not just for sport, but pride and self-worth. The closing of all of that was already going to be quite the spectacle, but having the likes of Foo Fighters grace the stage made it one of the most anticipated events of the summer.
Following a moment's silence, Prince Harry embraced Dave Grohl, surrounded by wounded troops decorated with medals from the week. The Olympic Park is drenched in a warm and humbling atmosphere that was a pleasure to be a part of. Beyond that, here are the 5 best things about the Invictus Games closing ceremony.
1. Foo Fighters were the perfect band for the occasion
"We haven't been here in a few years," beams Dave Grohl with that trademark tooth-filled grin. "It's been a while since we played in this country. So I got a call from a friend who called me up and said 'Can I give Prince Harry your number'? So I said 'OK - everyone else has it.'"
It was certainly a call well-made. As the band dedicate 'My Hero' to the wounded warriors who had competed in the Games, it becomes abundantly clear how fitting Foo Fighters were to close the day. Every song played tonight thrusts two fingers in the face of adversity. From 'All My Life' to 'Learn To Fly' and especially 'Walk' and 'Best Of You', each song tells a universal tale about overcoming adversity, each moment is a soundtrack to those everyday victories. Well, apart from 'White Limo', which is just about a white limo.
Few present would have been lucky enough to make into the secret gigs that the band dallied in throughout the week, missing out on their garguntuan sets of fan favourites and rarities. What we got instead was a short-sharp burst of a reminder about why this band continues to thrive. No, they aren't reinventing the wheel - they're just good old-fashioned rock n' roll, written for everyone and delivered with a scream in your face and a hand on your shoulder. Welcome back, Foos.
2. Ryan Adams returns to the UK
At the start of what we at Gigwise Towers are calling 'Radams Week', the alt-country hero played his first UK show on the campaign of his excellent new self-titled album, kicking off the seven days that will see him play Later With Jools Holland, iTunes Festival and two dates at London's Shepherds Bush Empire - before moving on to the rest of the UK next week.
"It's weird since I switched up from my techno sound," he jokes with the crowd with dry wit. "Thank you for embracing rock."
Performing in the pretty sweet sunset slot and providing some merciful relief from James bloody Blunt, Adams and band tore into brimstone-driven anthem-to-be 'Gimme Something Good', in a set leaned heavily on new material and certainly showcased the LP for the gem that it is. Catch him on the road at all costs.
3. Frank Turner's surprise set
The people's poet loves a good closing ceremony. After helping to see the Olympics off in style, Turner returned to the site for a short acoustic set before dashing across London to headline On Blackheath. A much more modest billing, Turner graciously took the time out of his day for a seemingly impromptu outing on the main stage for another performance perfectly married to the Invictus Games' proud motto: "I AM".
4. The impact that Kaiser Chiefs have on an audience
Love them or loathe them, you can't deny the power of Ricky Wilson or co as a live band. Their sole purpose on this planet is to entertain, and they sure know how to work a crowd in doing so - making every moment a personal celebration. It was pretty wonderful to see some returning servicemen swaying along to 'Coming Home', while you'd struggle to find another band whose fans would scream back the lyric "I WANT CRISPS" without prompt.
5. Ellie Goulding marking herself as a future headliner
The gargantuan crowd she pulled at Glasto would rival that of most headliners, and topping the bill is exactly where she'll be soon. Deciding on a headliner for most pop festivals is often selecting the lesser of many, many evils, but Goulding tonight, sandwiched between Ryan Adams and Kaiser Chiefs, shone as one of the most credible talents and most gifted all-round performers that the mainstream has to offer. On a night organised by a Prince, the Invictus Games bore witness to the future Queen of British Pop.
