'Tonight is Gonna Be the One'

It's all about to kick off in Rome's Stadio Olimpico! 

For not only does Euro 2020, the greatest football tournament in Europe, begin there tonight (June 11) with the mouth-watering prospect of Italy v Turkey - but Bono, the Edge and DJ/producer Martin Garrix are set to raise the curtain (and lift the roof!) moments before the match with a virtual rendition of 'We Are The People'.

'We Are The People' is the official song of the tournament, and was released back in May. But behind the scenes, the musicians have continued collaborating on a unique performance of the song for the tournament's opening ceremony.

State-of-the-art motion-control studios in London, Treatment and High Scream have re-created a meticulous 3D-digital version of the famous old Italian stadium in which to 'perform' the song, and to bring the feel of a real-life stadium gig alive for the millions of fans tuning in from all over the world.

Willie Williams, co-founder of Treatment said:

"The performance for the opening of UEFA Euro 2020 came out of a long journey. Originally intended as a live performance, initial ideas were discussed over Zoom calls from the Far East and India during the final leg of the Joshua Tree tour. The pandemic arrived, the tournament was postponed and when finally rescheduled, it was clear that we’d have to take a completely different approach. Conversations restarted in January 2021 when we really had no idea what state the world would be in, six months hence. This challenged us to look at the proposition differently and create an entirely new kind of performance. It ended up being a lot of fun as this ‘behind the scenes’ video shows."

WATCH THE BTS VIDEO HERE

The song's powerful message of hope will be matched with some inspiring imagery to boot, as the pitch becomes a flame, and millions of light particles combine to create a vibrant energy field. Pass the shades!

UEFA's marketing director Guy-Laurent Epstein is understandably excited. "'We Are The People' encapsulates the celebration of togetherness and festivity at the heart of UEFA EURO 2020," he said in an official statement, "and I am sure fans will be thrilled by the virtual performance whether they are watching at home or online."

The opening celebrations begin at 20.30 in Rome, with the game kicking off at 21.00, and the virtual performance of 'We are the People' happening just before the teams take the field for the national anthems.

Here's where you can find out how to watch not just the performance but the whole of the tournament from your own region.

In the meantime, to get this party started, Martin Garrix has created an official UEFA Euro 2020 playlist, which includes some electrifying song selections by top players, including U2's 'Beautiful Day'. It's available on all major music streaming platforms.

U2 last played at the Stadio Olympico four years ago, on the Joshua Tree 2017 tour. Perhaps you were there? Tonight, we can all be, for Bono, the Edge and Martin Garrix. 'Electricity in the room,' as Bono sings on the official song of Euro 2020. 'Tonight is gonna be the one.' 

WATCH THE OPENING CEREMONY HERE