December 7, 2011 15:14

Underworld announced as musical directors for London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony

'Born Slippy NUXX' act to curate three-hour show with director Danny Boyle

Underworld have been confirmed as the musical directors for the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics.

The electronic duo will team up with 127 Hours and Slumdog Millionaire director Danny Boyle to curate the three-hour show, say the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), which will take place on July 27 next year.

Speaking about the announcement, Underworld's Karl Hyde told the BBC:

It's a great honour to be asked to do this and one we're taking very seriously. It's certainly not something we'll get the chance to do again.

Boyle, who worked with Underworld on his stage production of Frankenstein this year and on the soundtracks for films such as A Life Less Ordinary and Sunshine, said: "Appointing Underworld to direct the music in the Olympic Opening Ceremony is the final piece of the jigsaw for the team of leading British creatives who will deliver the ceremonies."

The director, who also famously used their track 'Born Slippy NUXX' in his 1996 film Trainspotting, added: "What's interesting about working with them is how much broader their taste is than you might imagine. With Frankenstein we really saw how far we could take a broader approach than we'd used together on the films."

Last month, it was revealed that Elbow had been chosen to record the theme for the London 2012 Olympics. Frontman Guy Garvey described recording the track as "a real responsibility" and revealed that the band were "knocked out" at the chance to be involved.

Underworld released their eight studio album, 'Barking', in 2010.

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