The experience will see two days of musical events, including performances by the likes of the Scissor Sisters, Andy Sheppard (pictured front left) and Baaba Maal at iconic sites along the River Thames on the final weekend (July 21-22) before the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony.

The River of Music will be a highlight of the 12-week London 2012 Festival, which will celebrate across the country some of the world's leading artists.

The weekend will be free, with music from all 205 Olympic and Paralympic nations planned.

The event has been created by Serious, and has been funded in part through the National Lottery's Olympic Distributor, Arts Council England and the British Council.

At the River of Music will be six stages representing each of the continents: Asia will be at Battersea Park, Africa at Jubilee Gardens, Europe in Trafalgar Square and Somerset House, North and South America at the Tower of London and Oceania at the Greenwich Old Royal Naval College.

Free tickets will be required for some events, whilst others will be open to the public to come and go as they please.


The director of Serious, Claire Whitaker, said: "BT River of Music will be an incredible celebration of world-class live music the weekend before the start of the Games.

"We will be working with the most exciting artists from across the world [and] the very best of emerging British talent.

"This will be a once in a lifetime experience."

London 2012 Festival director Ruth Mackenzie echoed her comments, adding that the River of Music festival "will be a fantastic celebration of world class live music."

BT marketing director Suzi Williams said: "As a Premier Partner of the London 2012 Festival, we understand that London 2012 is about more than sport - it's about people experiencing the amazing atmosphere the Games will bring to the capital and creating their personal Olympic and Paralympic memories."

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