A concert to remember! Duran Duran get the games going as they perform at the Ceremony Celebration Concert in Hyde Park

PUBLISHED: 18:18 EST, 27 July 2012 | UPDATED: 18:18 EST, 27 July 2012

Earlier this month Bruce Springsteen had the plug pulled on his Hyde Park concert due to the curfew, but tonight Londoners could party a bit later.

A huge crowd turned out at Hyde Park to celebrate the London Olympics Opening Ceremony at the first BT London Live Concert.

As well as performances from Paolo Nutini and Stereophonics, fans were treated to a set from Duran Duran who got everyone going with a Red Arrows flypast during their performance of The Reflex.

Getting the crowd going: Duran Duran take to the stage at tonight's Opening Ceremony Celebration Concert

The public weren't exactly welcoming when the band were announced as part of the bill but they proved people wrong when they got the crowd cheering and screaming.

'Olympic London, Hyde park. The plan is we get everyone in the park singing a tune, a Duran Duran tune,' frontman Simon Le Bon told the crowd.

He'd already declared that being asked to take part in the event was one of his 'highlights' from the past decade.

Old rocker: Simon Le Bon gave an impressive performance after the crowd slowly warmed up to the band

Veterans: Simon and John Taylor rock out to the crowd of around 50,000 people in Hyde Park

'I think as a nation we're all very proud to have so many great athletes, teams from all over the world,' he added while wearing a Union Jack themed jacket.

Ahead of Ordinary World, he told the crowd: 'Let's dedicate the next song to the whole world. May we have a peaceful games.'

The extravaganza featuring acts representing nations from all over of the UK kicked off with Scottish singer-songwriter Paolo Nutini, with chart-topping act Snow Patrol set to round off the event.

The dragons: The Stereophonics represented Wales at the event and Kelly Jones rocked out impressively

As Duran Duran flew the flag for England, the Stereophonics were on hand to perform for the Welsh.

Lead singer Kelly Jones told the BBC: 'We are very happy to be here, it's brilliant to be representing Wales and to be part of such a big event.

'It's not every day that the Olympics comes to your country.'

Fans paid £55 a head to watch the show which included a live screening to the Olympic Stadium, allowing them to watch the ceremony unfold.

In the moonlight: The curfew in Hyde Park was extended so that even more bands could take to the stage

Organisers had been given a special extension to allow Snow Patrol, from Northern Ireland, to put in a late performance.

It came after the plug was pulled on The Boss, Bruce Springsteen, at a show in the park earlier this month when he overran a 10.30pm curfew.

Frontman Gary Lightbody told the BBC: 'It's the only thing I'll ever represent Northern Ireland at. My 100 metre sprinting days are long past me.'

Popular choice: Paolo Nutini was cheered on emphatically as he took to the stage hours before the opening ceremony

Proud heritage: The Scottish singer wore a vintage edition of his country's national football team

He added: 'We were asked to represent our country, we're never going to say no to that.

'The world is looking in on our nations and you've got to stand up for that.'

The Opening Ceremony Celebration Concert was part of a series of BT London Live shows being staged for the duration of the Games, and it will be rounded off with a headline appearance by Blur when the Games come to a close on August 12.

Show-opener Nutini took to the stage nearly 90 minutes before the opening ceremony was due to begin.

Lucky boys: Snow Patrol performed at the BT London Live concert representing Northen Ireland

Frontman Gary Lightbody said: 'It's the only thing I'll ever represent Northern Ireland at. My 100 metre sprinting days are long past me'

Opening with hit single 10/10, the Scot was greeted by screams and flag-waving from fans clutching flags from the home nations.

He went on to perform Jenny Don't Be Hasty, going on to tell fans: 'Thank you, thank you. I want to take this opportunity to play a couple of new songs, I hope you dig them.'

He added: 'I want to say thanks for having me, its been an honour to come and represent my country at this event.

'I hope you enjoy the rest of the show, you're going to be spoilt.'