While the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympics often bring out the biggest musical stars of the Games’ host country, Daft Punk will not be among the French artists performing at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Yesterday, French outlet Le Parisien published a story saying that the duo had been contacted about getting involved in the Games’ opening ceremony, and that discussions with the pair had begun several months ago.
This story cites a France Inter conversation with Thomas Jolly, the artistic director of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. It in, Jolly said, “It would be very happy for them to be in this ceremony. We cannot not think of Daft Punk when we think at an international exhibition in France.” But later in the interview, he stated with a laugh that “I lied a little about Daft Punk.”
But in fact, a Daft Punk Olympics performance is not to be, as a representative for the duo confirmed to Billboard today (Oct. 25), that “this is just a rumor and not factual.”
Tres sad, to be sure, but there is new Daft Punk material on the horizon. On Nov. 17, the duo — who officially broke up in 2021 — will release a “drumless” edition of their 2013 album Random Access Memories as part of the album’s 10-year anniversary celebration. As the concept indicates, this new version will feature the original album, stripped of its percussion.
The 10-year anniversary has also included an interview series, Memory Tapes, with album collaborators including Julian Casablancas, Nile Rodgers and Pharrell.
The Paris Olympics, meanwhile, take place next summer, from July 26 to Aug. 11, 2024.
